Valleys
Psalm 84:6
Life is not easy because life is not without its valleys. Wouldn’t
it be great if we never had to encounter valleys in our Christian
experience?
However, this is not promised anywhere in the Bible. Valleys are
a part of life that we are going to have to learn to deal with.
Valley life can become victory life when Biblical principles are
applied. EVERY VALLEY HAS VALUE!
I. "The Valley of Baca..." - DIFFICULTY ENCOUNTERED
What is a "valley?" Is it not a low place? Valleys are
a depression of the earth's surface usually between ranges of
hills or mountains. Valleys are deep places, fixed between two
mountains. Valleys are dark places. Valleys are discouraging places.
The word "Baca" is a word that means "weeping"
or "sorrow" or "tears." Baca was a valley
in some part of Palestine though we are not sure of where it was;
however, it refers to the valleys through which pilgrims had to
pass on their way to the sanctuary of Jehovah on Zion. I believe
it describes any place of suffering or any place of sorrow that
you and I may have to face on her way home to heaven.
Don't be Discouraged by your Difficulty
A. Valleys are Inevitable
John 16:33 says "In this world ye shall have tribulation."
B. Valleys are Impartial
C. Valleys are Inexplicable
This is what makes our time in our valleys so difficult and dark-
we don't understand them. We can't explain them. If we understood
why we had to go through the valley it would be easier to take.
There is a great mystery to the things of God.
II. "Who Passing through..." DESTINATION EXPECTED
Some of us get stuck in our valley, and we have a tendency to
set up camp there and stay awhile.
Don't be Distracted from your Destination
Don't forget where you are going! We are passing through. The
psalmist knew his destination - he knew where he was going. At
that moment he might have been a valley, but one day he would
be walking out of that valley.
III. "Make it a well..." DUTY EXPLAINED
Don't be Delinquent in your Duty
When the person in Psalm 84 found himself in a valley of sorrow
he did something unusual - he dug a well! Water was a scarce and
precious commodity to the pilgrims of Bible days. Wells were one
of the ways to survive the dry and hot climate. Wells were dug
by hand. Wells were hard work. Wells were the work of the patriarchs.
- Abraham dug wells.
- Isaac dug wells
- Jacob dug a well.
Wells are for Others.
Jacob dug a well that survived hundreds of years
and refreshed Jesus (John 4). A Samaritan woman comes one day
finds Jesus, the living water at this well that Jacob had dug.
Many are the valleys of the people of God; however, few are the
wells! Don't waste your valley. Dig out a blessing in the place
of barrenness.
We are drinking from the wells the saints of God dug before us.
Paul dugs some wells in his valleys. From his valleys came his
Prison epistles: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.
What's important is not what you go through, but what you leave
behind.
Conclusion:
Why the valleys?
1. For the glory of God
2. For the growth of the saint
3. For the good of others
Determine to leave a well in the valley for others!