The Valley Of Crisis Series

Introduction

Living here in Mississippi, I am guessing the nearest mountain range to us is the Great Smoky Mountains in TN. Did you know there is a natural pull-on people toward the mountains? People love the mountains! In 2019, 12,547,743 people visited the Smoky Mountains. If you are thinking that number has to be off; the only reason that many people went there is that they must had been having some kind of special yearlong celebration; let me tell us in 2018, the number of people that went to the Smokie’s is 11,421,203. Obviously, there is something about being in the mountain, standing on the mountain top that draws people to the Great Smoky Mountains.

And as great as being on the top of the Smoky Mountains is, let me tell you of a greater mountain top experience- being on the mountaintop with God. Have you ever had any mountain top experiences with God? I have had several in my life and they are incredible. You never want them to end, but in reality, they do. Who cannot be envious of Moses because He had so many mountain top experiences with God? Remember the one where he had to put a veil over his face because his face glowed having been with God on the mountain.

Oh, how I wish each one of us could stay on the mountain top with God! But the reality is we don’t, life gets in the way. And instead of finding ourselves on the mountain top, we find ourselves in the valley. And this new sermon series explores some of those valleys we walk through as we await the next opportunity to climb the mountain and be with God.

Today, we are going to look at the Valley of Crisis. Some of us have walked through this valley before. Our Biblical account of this valley takes place in the Valley of Berachah which is located between Hebron and Jerusalem. So, if you have your bulletin or Bibles open to 2 Chronicles 20: 1-4 then verse 17. Let’s stand and read God’s Word.

Scripture

2 Chronicles 20:1-4 (NKJV)

1 It happened after this that the people of Moab with the people of Ammon, and others with them besides the Ammonites, came to battle against Jehoshaphat.

2 Then some came and told Jehoshaphat, saying, "A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, from Syria; and they are in Hazazon Tamar" (which is En Gedi).

3 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.

4 So Judah gathered together to ask help from the LORD; and from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD.

2 Chronicles 20:17 (NKJV)

17 You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!' Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the LORD is with you."

Background Information

This Valley of Crisis occurred around 430 BC. King Jehoshaphat does not seem to have originated this crisis; it just seems to have fallen in his lap. Let’s be honest, in our Valleys of Crisis sometimes they are of our own making and sometimes they just come upon us without any help from us. Let’s say this one just came upon this king.

The crisis is that the Moabites, the Ammonites, and others have come together to form a great multiple coming against the king. Not only that but we find out that they are in En Gedi, which is about 50 miles from Jerusalem, or about three days away marching by foot. So, this crisis has begun. Now what do we do?

Points

#1

When I am in the Valley of Crisis, my body tells me to panic; my spirit tells me to pray. I need to teach my spirit to pray rather than my body to panic.

3 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD.

Let me tell you the Bible is the real deal. It doesn't paint Jehoshaphat as this super warrior king. He hears the news and the very first thing is fear comes over him. But that is what our response would be too! Think about it, if you hear one of your relatives was in a bad wreck and that is all that the authorities can tell you at this point, your first response is fear.

I have always heard when your fear factor kicks in there is either a fight or flight response. But look at Jehoshaphat’s response: he set himself to seek God. I wonder if in the world, those who do not know Christ, only has two responses when faced with fear: to fight or to flight. But the Christian man or woman who has given their heart to God has the potential of a third response: to set yourself seeking God.