THIS VALLEY IS FOR ME
Psalm 84:5-9
A. It would be wonderful if we could always be on the mountain top, but life has its valleys and we must pass through them.
B. Baca means "weeping." It was a valley of bushes and thorns in Palestine which could not be passed without labor and tears.
C. It's in the valley that faith is put to the test.
1 Peter 1:6-7 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
D. When passing through the valley, remember...
I. THE GOOD SHEPHERD CHOSE THIS ROUTE.
John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
A. Not an easy road to travel, but Jesus is leading the way.
B. It is a route that requires faith.
C. Trials and troubles.
D. Sickness, sorrow, pain, and even death.
E. Mary and Martha sent for Jesus, their brother Lazarus is sick. John 11:1-6 Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby. Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.
1. The sorrow and pain they must have felt.
2. Where is Jesus?
3. Lazarus is dead.
4. Jesus was right on time! John 11:11 These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.
20-23 Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house. Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.
43-44 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.
II. IT IS TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND FOR YOUR GOOD THAT YOU GO THROUGH VALLEYS
Psalm 23:1-3 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
A. It's in the valley...
1. Where the presence of the good Shepherd is so real.
2. Where the grass is greener.
3. Where we find still waters.
4. Where we are restored.
B. In the valley...
1. We are drawn closer to our Lord.
2. We see the mighty hand of God working.
3. We grow in our faith.
4. We learn of God's perfect will.
III. JESUS WILL MAKE YOUR TRIAL A BLESSING. (Text)
A. A well.
B. Pools of water.
C. Psalm 30:5 “...weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning,”
D. God is faithful. You are His child, and His grace is sufficient.
E. Trust God for the blessing!
Conclusion:
A. Are you passing through a valley?
B. Put your hand in the nail scared hand of Jesus and keep on walking.
C. And, when on the other side, you will look back and praise God for that valley.
D. You will say, "Thank you Lord, this valley was for me."
