HEAVY, STUCK IN THE VALLEY
FINDING THAT SWEET SPOT NEAR THE HEART OF GOD…
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
HEAVY: carrying a great weight, difficult to move, difficult to bear, oppressive,
CAN WE SEE WE WALK IN THE LAST DAYS, HEAVINESS IS TRYING TO CRUSH OUR HOPE AND KILL OUR DREAMS…
Exodus 17:12 But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.
MOSES FOUND LIFE HEAVY…
But Moses’ hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.
THE VALLEY OF HEAVINESS IS KILLING US. WATCH THE NEWS --- YOU WILL FEEL HEAVY, LISTEN TO WHAT IS GOING ON IN OUR FAMILIES, HEAVINESS REIGNS. Listen the doctor’s report, HEAVINESS
HEAVY, MY GENERATION SANG A SONG, HE AIN’T HEAVY, HE’S MY BROTHER.
Numbers 11:14 I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me.
I just got off the phone, my older brother, is so heavy. He is in constant pain, he no longer moans and groans he yells in pain. Tonight he can’t get out of bed by himself, it appears he will be going back to rehab/rest home? Wow, that is heavy, A DARK VALLEY?
In the last three weeks my baby brother has gone from working every day to stage 4 cancer. He can hardly talk. They made a cancer mask for radiation, he is raising his grandson. 7 weeks of daily radiation and chemo?
My Dad is 87, he has pastored 65+ years. His step is slow, he is so weak and frail. His wife is weaker? Their memory fades like a rotten apple? A dark valley that is so heavy.
I travel 1,000 miles this week, I sat with a dying friend and watched life ebb from his body. 30 members of his family laughed and cried together in that little room. I left the hospital at 10:30 PM after a 15 hour day, no food, no drink and I was getting sick. I drove 2 ½ hours and before I was home my the phone rang, my friend of 29 years slipped into eternity. Talk about a heavy valley?
While at the hospital a doctor heard the family say I was their pastor. We talked several times with the doctor during the day. The doctor was so compassionate. I could see she had been crying. We talked privately and she asked me, Pastor, you can’t leave until you pray for me. She said could you hold me and pray? I hugged her and she wilted in my arms. Crying like a baby. The nurses quietly gathered around and stood there silently we as we stood in the midst of heaviness.. I prayed quietly and then boldly. I understood these were facing A SPIRIT OF HEAVINESS.
A dear’s friend’s son was told this week the only chance of life he has is a heart transplant? Heavy… Financial strain?
A friend in Indiana that has been so kind to me and my family, called a brain tumor, in the hospital. Her mind is so confused, she is having hallucinations and fear is smothering her and her daughter?
I talked with a young pastor that feels as a failure and he is ready to leave the ministry? Heavy?
SHALL THIS HEAVINESS KILL US OR DRIVE US TO THE FOOT OF THE CROSS?
Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Linda and I spent some time in Jerusalem. We went to one place that was the HEAVINESS PLACES I HAVE EVER KNOWN. IT WAS THE HOLOCAUST MUESEM OF WW2. You could not imagine the HEAVINESS… HILTER had a solution to end the HEAVINESS OF THE WORLD WAS TO KILL THE JEWISH NATION. Haman, conflict does not have to bring HEAVINESS.
Psalm 17:8 Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,
EVERYONE IS CRAVING SOMETHING, WHILE DAILY FIGHTING HEAVINESS. THE PEACE OF JESUS IS MORE THAN THE ABSENCE OF HEAVINESS AND CONFLICT. We look for peace with others, and with our self. FREEDOM FROM HEAVINESS CAN ONLY BE FOUND IN KNOWING A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS. WE FIGHT HEAVINESS AS FEAR. FEAR ROBS US OF MANY THINGS. FEAR AND HEAVINESS ROB US OF JOY, PEACE, HOPE AND EVEN OUR HEALTH.
Psalm 17:8 (NLT) Guard me as you would guard your own eyes. Hide me in the shadow of your wings.
Psalm 36:7 How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.
Psalm 63:7 Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.
ATTITUDES? AT WHAT PER CENT DO WE CONSIDER A NATION PAGAN/HEATHEN?
What at point do we not acknowledge God? Watch the news on CNN, are you alarmed. I was taught in journalism that the reporter is to be neutral and just report the story? What is going on in the media? Washington, D.C.? Frankfort? Our education system? Gun control? The church? Our families?
A STUDY RELEASED SAYS: 65% OF USA CHRISTIANS WILL NOT BE IN CHURCH ON ANY GIVEN SUNDAY MORNING. Sadder than that 85% of Christian will not be in church on Sunday night. If that is true about Christians what per cent of the USA Public will not be in church?
Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
WE NEED EACH OTHER… UNITY AND GIVING LOVE… BREAKS HEAVINESS.
HAVE YOU LEARNED NOTHING IS BUILT IN THE USA ANYMORE? We just bought a new TV and it said: “BUILT IN ANTENNA.” I don’t even know where that country is? Is Antenna near Montana?
WHAT KIND OF STUDENT AM I?
When I taught school I had a little boy that would often fall asleep in class, kind of angered me? One day I made a home visit. His mom and dad were heavy drinkers and very difficult. I understood. I would let him sleep and worked one on one with him. He was a good kid!
I have been writing one each day of things I have learned. One day I wrote: I can’t believe how nice, loving and wonderful people can be. One day I wrote: I can’t believe how mean, cruel, angry and bitter people can be. Another day I wrote: Nothing is as bad as it first appears. Life is temporary at best, make the best of it. Bad attitudes can mess up a good life.
GOD’S MERCY! OUR MERCY
Matthew 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
Matthew 24:22 (NIV) If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.
Matthew 24:22 (NLT) In fact, unless that time of calamity is shortened, not a single person will survive. But it will be shortened for the sake of God’s chosen ones.
Matthew 24:22 (MSG) If these days of trouble were left to run their course, nobody would make it. But on account of God's chosen people, the trouble will be cut short.
SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO WALK THE LONESOME VALLEYS BY YOURSELF… we tend to want others to blaze the trail before us and make straight, smooth paths.
I love INTERSTATES, but I can remember swinging bridges and driving through the rivers at LOW WATER FORDS.
GOD NEVER DESIGNED US BE MAKE RUTS AND BECOME TRAPPED…TRAPPED IN THE VALLEY OF BACA…
The area of the Valley of Baca is known as THE VALLEY OF WEEPING, DEPRESSION, HEAVINESS. People traveling on religious pilgrimages going to the sanctuary of Jehovah on Zion’s hill had to PASS THROUGH THE VALLEY OF BACA. God’s design was PASSING THROUGH not dwelling or staying there for long periods of time.
Psalm 84:6 Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.
ISRAEL KNOWS SEASONS, DRY-HOT SEASONS, COOL WET SEASONS… Expect spiritual seasons.
WE ARE SUBJECT TO STORMS AND RAIN which can muddy up and make ruts and make slippery slopes that tend to hinder ADVANCEMENT in the journey.
GOD DESIGNED BACA TO BE A PLACE OF REJOICING AND GROWTH. Stepping from feelings and emotions and bad attitudes into spiritual maturity and growth.
MAKE TODAY COUNT:
Acts 21:13 Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.
Acts 21:13 (NLT) But he said, “Why all this weeping? You are breaking my heart! I am ready not only to be jailed at Jerusalem but even to die for the sake of the Lord Jesus.”
I read where a man in North Carolina had been ill for some time. He finally when to the doctor and almost immediately the doctor made the diagnosis TERMINAL CANCER of the fastest kind. The man had months, maybe weeks to live. HOW SHALL WE TELL ON FAMILIES AND FRIENDS? They decide to throw a big party and invite everyone to come. THEY CALLED THE PARTY: MAKE TODAY COUNT! As the people gathered there was great joy and all was having a wonderful time. Mid-party the man had his wife by his side and he announced to all: He was dying and had very little time left to live. Then the friends started crying and he stopped them: and said what do you mean breaking my heart?
He told the story of PAUL’S FRIENDS WEEPING AND CRYING WHEN BEFORE HIM WAS NOT A BROKEN HEART BUT A PLAN OF GOD.
GOD HAS A PLAN, WILL WE UNDERSTAND: make today count.
Psalm 90:12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
Psalm 90:12 (MSG) Oh! Teach us to live well! Teach us to live wisely and well!
Psalm 90:12 (NLT) Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.
UNDER THE SHELTER OF HIS WINGS VS STUCK IN THE VALLEY?
I read where those building the EMPIRE STATE BUILDING ordered 10,000,000 bricks. They used 9,999,999 bricks. Where on earth did that extra brick go? It went in the museum on the top floor of the Empire State Building…? DID YOU KNOW LITTLE THINGS BOUND TOGETHER MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
HOME, HOME ON THE RANGE, MAKE THE DAY COUNT, WHERE SELDOM IS HEARD A DISCOURAGING WORD…
HEAVINESS? REAL HEAVY HEAVINESS?
Isaiah 61:3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
CONCLUSION: Heaviness will KILL US…WE CAN NOT CARRY THIS WEIGHT… THE HEAVINESS WILL DESTROY OUR FAITH. WE WILL GET CRUSHED , THE FEATHER THAT BREAKS THE CAMELS BACK. COME … JESUS CAN HHANDLE THIS HEAVINESS.
Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfinger@aol.com
