THE MYSTERY OF THE VALLEY
8/2/07
1/17/08
Ps 23:1-6
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
(KJV)
TWO VALLEYS
(1)VALLEY OF DEFINITION - INSTRUCTION(MADE BY GOD)REVELATION
(2)VALLEY OF DECISION(MADE BY YOU) NO EXIT
The Valley of Definition, THE VALLEY GOD HAS PREPARED(VALLEY OF INSTRUCTION).
This Valley could be your Defining Moment.
Valleys throughout scripture have been a turning and defining point to the people in the valley.
I am reminded of the King of Assyria’s servants saying, “Their gods are of the hills....” And we find throughout the course of the history, there is always a valley that defined many significant figures in scripture.
Often we think God has forgotten us when we are in the valley, when in reality, he is watching ever more closely.
In one instance The Prophet told them, Fill this valley with Ditches.
When the blessing comes, you need a place for the blessing to stay.
Often blessing come in our lives, but there is not reservoir for it to be captured, so it comes and goes with no lasting reminder of it’s passing.
Our lives can at times be a valley of dry and desert places.
The thirst seems to be unbearable.
God would say, Dig a Ditch. Dig a Ditch.
Fill your valley with Ditches, and when the blessing comes, it will provide relief for your current pressing need and create a tool God will use to bring victory over your enemies.
Can you dig a ditch in your valley?
Can you Stand up and Face the Giant?
Can you ignore the Siren Song of Delilah?
Can you obey God and not hide the forbidden in your tent?
Can you survive in the Valley so God can give you a Victory?
Your defining Moments are found in your valleys.
Heaven and Hell are watching to see what you will do in your valley, for it will define you.
For every Victory, there is a valley.
For there too be four walking in the fire, tribulation and temptation must come.
For there to be a Daniel in and out of the Lions den, there comes testing.
For there to be a David, you must have a Goliath resisting.
For there to be a valley full of water, you first had to have someone who had a need that made them dig.
Your actions in your valley will define what sort of man, minister, saint or sinner you are.
Turning-points in life: — It has been well said that in every life there is a
turning-point, as in a fever, a turning point that brings either life or death.
Napoleon said, “In every battle there are ten minutes on which hangs the fate of nations.”
Hundreds of soul battles are fought and won in a few minutes.
The valley of Ajalon, when the Sun and Moon stood still to bring a great victory for Joshua.
The Valley of Jezreel, where Gideon and his handful brought a mighty Victory through God by obeying and trusting in God.
The Valley of Elah will be unforgettable in the victory of victories. When David requested a sword from the Priest, he was told, “We have the sword of Goliath that you slew in the Valley of Elah.”
The Valley of Rephaim, yet another victory for David.
The Valley of Salt another victory.
And finally the valley of Berachah, where victory brought a great spoils for Jehoshphat and his Army.
*** WHEN THE ENEMY CONFRONTS YOU HE IS CONCERNED WITH WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO DO WITH THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.
*** POWER IS DEVELOPED THROUGH RESISTANCE.
*** ANOINTING IS DEVELOPED THROUGH PAIN.
*** THE VALLEYS PUT IN OUR LIFE BY GOD ARE NOT MEANT TO DESTROY US BUT, TO STRENGTHEN US.
*** THE TRUTH IS WE PROB. WOULD NOT MAKE A LOT OF DECISIONS ABOUT OUR SPIRITUAL PROGRESS IF IT WERE NOT FOR THE VALLEYS.
*** WHEN I AM NOT PROGRESSING IT IS IN...
THE VALLEY OF DECISION(Made by me.)
*** GOD SAYS TO GO THIS WAY BUT, WE ENTER A VALLEY OF DECISION…
*** DON’T PAUSE TOO LONG IN THE VALLEY FOR IT HAS DEATH IN IT.
TOPHET IS AN EXAMPLE WHERE THEY WERE NOT PROGRESSING BUT, RATHER DEGRESSING AND THE VALLEY BECAME THEIR DESTRUCTION
[TOE fet] (meaning unknown)-- a place southeast of Jerusalem, in the Valley of Hinnom, where child sacrifices were offered and the dead bodies were buried or consumed
Two kings of Judah-- Ahaz, or Jehoahaz <2 Kin. 16:3> and Manasseh <2 Kin. 21:6>-- made their own sons "pass through the fire." Godly King Josiah stopped this horrible practice <2 Kin. 23:10>, possibly by dumping the garbage of Jerusalem at Tophet.
The prophet Isaiah used Tophet as a symbol of the death and destruction which God would use as judgment against the king of Assyria
Joel 3:14
14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.
(NKJ)
Circumstances are the material of life, good or bad.
It is we who take up our circumstances, and out of
them make habits, and habits decide or form our character in this valley of decision which we call life.
The valley of Eschol is where we find the Children of Israel shrinking from their promise as they received the message from the Evil Spies.
The Valley of Achor where Achan and his family were stoned for rebellious acts and hidden sin.
The Valley of Sorek, where Delilah lived.
Valleys and the actions of the men found there provide a crossroads of sorts for their lives and in turn defined them in their greatness, greatness in their Failure or Greatness in their Faith.
