Through the Valleys
Duane Vander Klok
Blessed is the man whose strength is in You,
Whose heart is set on pilgrimage.
As they pass through the Valley of Baca,
They make it a spring;
The rain also covers it with pools.
They go from strength to strength;
Each one appears before God in Zion.
Psalm 84:5-7
Each and every one of us has or will face adversity in our lives. When you come into these times of adversity, like the Valley of Baca (place of weeping), you do not need to stay there! With God, there is always a way through.
It takes faith in God to make it through to the other side. God has great plans for your life, but they will require faith! Becoming a believer does not mean that your life will be easy, but it does promise that your life will be better when you include your Heavenly Father. The Christian life is a fight from the womb to the tomb – take care that you are well armed!
Ephesians 6:12-13 says, For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. We are not fighting against the people in our community, our nation, or even the rest of the world. But we are engaged in battle against the devil and his schemes and temptations. The devil will fight and fight to separate you from God and His Word. Set your strength in God, and walk through the valleys of weeping into His blessings.
God’s plan for your life cannot be walked without faith. And the faith you began with will not be sufficient through every situation – it needs to grow! You are growing from strength to strength and faith to faith. How can you grow in faith this week?