God Of The Valleys (1 Kings 20:28)

by R. Darke, Victoria, B.C. | Category: Fingerpost | Apr 1972

MOST DISCOURAGING might easily have been the reaction of David, the courageous shepherd lad, as he faced Goliath, the well-armed giant in the vale of Elah. David had just left a trembling Israeli army, and a greatly disheartened king Saul. Now be was standing with sling in hand before a taunting, scornful behemoth of a man, who was armed to the teeth, and being cheered on, no doubt, by an army with scent of victory in their nostrils. There had been no cheering when David left the camp of Israel! But the brave son of Jesse, who had known the Lord's presence going through the valley of the shadow of death (Ps. 23), was to prove on this vital day that the LORD is a God of the valleys as well as a God of the hills. Victory came, not through sword and spear, but from a small stone. And so a despondent, defeated people were transformed into a victorious, pursuing army (1 Sam. 17).

MOST DISCOURAGING could have been Nehemiah's reaction as he viewed, from the valley gate, the broken down walls and flame-charred gates of Jerusalem. Before him, and a handful of faithful men, lay the gigantic task of restoring for God the ravages wrought by a relentless enemy. God's people had lived listlessly amongst the wastes of Jerusalem for years, and their morale was at its lowest. Held in the grip of discouragement amidst depressing desolation, the Jewish remnant seemed to be totally defeated. But Nehemiah, whose name means "the consolation of Jehovah", was not one to concede that the Lord is only a God of the bills and not of the valleys. Through virile action, and encouraging words, he succeeded by God's help in rejuvenating the people unitedly to build, repair, and restore. "So the wall was finished" (Neh. 6:15), and later, "... all the people ... bowed their heads and worshipped" (8:6).

MOST DISCOURAGING, too, can be our experiences today. But dare we endorse the claim of the Syrians that, "The LORD is a god of the bills, but He is not a god of the valleys" (1 Kings 20:28)? Of course not. Our God is unchanging and unfailing. He makes the valley of weeping a place of springs (Ps. 84:6); and provides valleys covered over with corn (65:13). Our valley experiences need not be those of despair and defeat for the God who gave David victory in the valley will surely do the same for us. "Lo I am with you alway" (Gk. all the days) (Matt. 28:20), is His promise.

R. Darke, Victoria, B.C. | Apr 1972
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