God's Allowance: Experiencing time in the Valley

Lessons From The Valley
by Nadia Sweeting


For the past two weeks, I had the priviledge of listening and learning the true meaning of "the valley" as taught by my pastor, Arthur Jackson of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church Miami Gardens. Here are just some of my notes from the past two weeks...Lessons from the valley!

The pastor mentioned how there's both VALUE and POWER in the valley. The valley represents a low point in your life; a depression; uncomfortable situation. God put us in umcomfortable positions (valleys) in effort to force us to look up at Him for guidance and strength.  Life is a balance - Peaks and Valleys. Valleys are surrounded by mountains and on the climb up, one must rely on God's guidance and path.

God gives us victory while in the valley. One must continue to praise God while in the valley. He still deliver His promises, despite our vices. According to Pastor Jackson, here are 4 reasons why God give you VICTORY while in the valley:  POWER of the VALLEY (2 Chronicles 20:13-17)

1. Manipulate your perspective (2 Chronicles 20:16)
1. Valleys place you in a lower perspective which forces you to look up (v.12) The situation is forcing you to look up! Eyes not on the situation, but on GOD!
2. Manufacture some patience
1. God requires more from our lives; God requires us to hang in there to the end of the valley. One must ask...do you have enough trust to hang in there to see to the end? When one get to the end of the valley, you must stand there and BE STILL and WORSHIP HIM! The God that stations you, is the same god that sustains you.
3. Manifest His presence (2 Chronicles 20:17)
1. You have to see all sides of god. In the valley, you experience god's hands. In the valley, god put you in a situation for you to share your testimony with others about god.
4. Magnify your praise (2 Chronicles 20:20-22)
1. Jehoshaphat teaches us about praising god
1. Preparation for praise - they praised early in the morning
2. Place for praise - real praisers pray anywhere
3. Priority of praise - make pray/praise your priority
4. Power of praise -  praise god before the situation; god moves before your situation.

 Victory teaches one how to receive God; Vision teaches one to see God; Value teaches one how to pray and rely on God! While in the valley, one must realize the VALUE in the Valley (Psalm 23).

We've all heard Psalm 23 and have memorized the passage. My pastor explained this passage in such a way that I was blown away. David spent time in the valley(v.4). God gave David 3 things: Green Pastures, Geniune Peace and Godly Path

One may ask...how do you get out of the valley? According to Pastor Jackson, one must:

1. Keep moving through the valley
1. Keep moving forward. God has equipped you with everything you need to move forward
2. Manage your fear in the valley
1. A shadow denotes interference of light; something in the way of light. Your valley can't kill you!
3. Keep your mind on the feast after the valley
1. God has something waiting for you at the end of the valley. Keep your mind on what's at the end of the valley. Like a distance runner, you must equip yourself with the proper clothing, shoes and gear in efforts to keep your mind on the finish line. No matter how rough the valley appears or may be, god has something waiting for you.

The final lesson here is in Psalm 23,
God was...BEFORE David (as his shepherd) while he entered the valley (v.1-3)
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
² He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
³ he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.

God was WITH David while in the valley (v.4)
⁴ Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,^[a]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

God was BEHIND David out of the valley (v.5-6)

⁵ You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
⁶ Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.

Take the time today to thank God for the small things as well as the big things. Thank God for your valleys and struggles for you know that victory is waiting on you at the end. I thank HIM everyday and all day for the victories and trials.