Valley Or Mountain??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #458

I just want us to take a little time this morning to remind ourselves that the same God who made the valley made the mountain; and without the valleys the mountains wouldn’t mean the same thing.  As one of my favorite gospel songs reminds us, it is the same God over mountain or valley; and I’m eternally grateful for that truth!!!  My God is able regardless of geography, weather, joy or fear; no matter if I am experiencing deep grief or lofty exhilaration—God is still God, God is still good, and I still trust Him.  How about you?  Let’s consider some encouraging hope and joy from the scriptures today.

“Bless the LORD,

O my soul.

O LORD my God,

thou art very great;

thou art clothed with honour and majesty.

2 Who coverest thyself with light

as with a garment:

who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain…

…. 5 Who laid the foundations of the earth,

that it should not be removed for ever…

… 10 He sendeth the springs into the valleys,

which run among the hills.

11 They give drink to every beast of the field:

the wild asses quench their thirst.”   Portions of Psalm 104:1-11

God is sufficient unto each day—no matter if I’m on the mountain or in a deep valley.  There is nothing that takes God by surprise, and I find great consolation in the surety of our God.  Are you singing His praises or just complaining about circumstances—get your heart and mind on Jesus!  I am so grateful that I don’t have to be a mountain-climber, just a follower of Jesus, knowing that wherever He leads is the place I want to be.  There is not a safer or better place to be than in the perfect will of God!  The author of Hebrews points this out clearly.  I’m only responsible for walking/running my race, to keep in my lane, with my eyes on Jesus not the obstacles or other runners.  He suffered to pay for my sin, and give me life, hope and power to run the race that HE sets before me/you!  And just FYI, the ‘witnesses’ spoken of here, is not a stadium of fans and admirers, but rather you can go back to chapter 11 and see it’s the host of those who have gone before us—both those who had seemingly easy ways, and those whom God led through the valley of suffering.  He is always faithful no matter the circumstance (we generally don’t get to pick!)!

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about

with so great a cloud of witnesses,

let us lay aside

every weight, and the sin

which doth so easily beset us,

and let us run with patience

the race that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus

the author and finisher of our faith;

who for the joy that was set before him

endured the cross,

despising the shame,

and is set down at the right hand

of the throne of God.

3 For consider him

that endured such contradiction of sinners

against himself,

lest ye be wearied

and faint in your minds.”  Hebrews 12:1-3

Amen and Amen!!!