Living in the Valley

The beginning of a new week and I was having a cup of coffee thinking and praying for people I know who are battling the life and death battles of life. Good thing is we have to be alive to battle the issues of life and death. 

I have friends battling cancer and others who have died leaving a mate behind and are now adjusting to life without a mate they lived with for over 60 years.

We are still navigating our days with Covid19, and those in power have changed their story so many times that now we don't know what or who to believe.

Living in this fallen world means most of our lives are lived in the valley, not on the mountain top. As a matter of fact, not much life is actually lived on the mountain top. Even animals live below the mountain top, in the valleys where the green grass grows. 

I have been a follower of Jesus now for forty-five years, and I have come to the conclusion that wherever life finds me, I want it to find me with Jesus.

The mountain top gives us pretty views. God's glory can be seen clearly on top of the mountain, but in the valley I can see God's grace, God's working, and my need for Him. 

Psalm 16:11-- You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. 

Hebrews 13:5-- Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

These two scriptures keep me focused. The first tells me that God is in my future before I get there. If I walk and talk to Him, He will make known my path, and I can live in His presence on the mountain top and in the valley -- and in both have fulness of joy and pleasure. The pleasure is knowing Him and living for His glory.

The second encourages me to keep my life free from the love of money, fame, earthly achievements and to simply be content with what I have. We are earthlings and these battles will always be with us and can only be won in Christ. Recognizing His presence and then stopping to enjoy Him will bring you into check and readjust your attitude while living in the valley.

In every area of life we are to glorify God and enjoy Him. The pleasure felt in this is what I refer to as joy. That's it, the joy of the Lord is my strength and that joy is the pleasure from the Father as we please Him.

My friend, the valley is where life is lived and it's meant to be lived with Jesus. He will never leave you nor forsake you. He is just as near when you feel Him as when you don't. 

Whatever the valley brings you, pray and ask God to give you the strength and power to glorify Him and make that season of your life a mountain top experience while living in the valley.