How to Have Peace and Strength in the Valley
Don’t you love mountaintop experiences?
But those times in the valley . . . not so much.
We love it when we can actually feel the Lord’s presence and when our hearts are overflowing with hope and joy. Oh, how we would love to stay on top of the mountain forever.
- God called Moses to lead His people on a mountain. (Exodus 3)
- He gave His commandments to Moses on a mountain. (Exodus 20)
- God defeated the Prophets of Baal on a mountain. (1 Kings 18)
- Elijah heard God’s quiet voice on a mountain. (1 Kings 19)
- Jesus revealed His transfigured glory on a mountain. (Matthew 17)
Mountain-top experiences are awesome and inspiring.
Psalm 84 begins with the following…
How lovely is your dwelling place,
Psalm 84:1–2
O Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
I long, yes, I faint with longing
to enter the courts of the Lord.
With my whole being, body and soul,
I will shout joyfully to the living God.
As much as you and I love being on the mountain there are times when God allows us to walk through a valley on our way to the mountain.
What joy for those whose strength comes from the Lord,
Psalm 84:5–6
who have set their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
When they walk through the Valley of Weeping,
it will become a place of refreshing springs.
The autumn rains will clothe it with blessings.
I’m not a fan of the valleys.
But the Lord has shown me that it has been during those times spent in the valley that I am most likely to look up and truly SEEK Him.
I look up to the mountains—
Psalm 121:1–2
does my help come from there?
My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth!
The Lord has also shown me that by His grace, I have never had to walk through a valley alone.
Even when I walk
Psalm 23:4
through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
for You are close beside me.
So, I’ve learned to say with confidence that…
No matter how I feel . . . whether I’m high on the top of the mountain or low in the valley, God has always been with me. And I can make that promise to you, too. Wherever you are . . . God is close beside you. You are not alone.
If you are currently walking through a dark valley. Pause and listen quietly. Be still and know. Look up and listen. “God is our sun and shield. He gives us grace and glory.”
For the Lord God is our sun and our shield.
Psalm 84:11–12
He gives us grace and glory.
The Lord will withhold no good thing
from those who do what is right.
O Lord of Heaven’s Armies,
what joy for those who trust in You.
The Life Application Bible Notes add…
God does not promise to give us everything we think is good, but He will not withhold what is permanently good . . . He will not hold back anything that draws us closer and helps us serve Him.
The Good News is that when we rest in the knowledge that God is with us, whether we’re on the mountain-top or in the valley we can say with confidence…
What joy for those who can live in Your house, always singing Your praises. O Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
Psalm 84:4, 12b
What joy for those who trust in You.
Strength for today, hope for tomorrow, and peace and joy in His presence. That is the goodness and grace of God.
Let’s pray…
A Prayer to Have Strength and Peace in the Valley
Father, I love mountain-top moments. I don’t love difficult times in the valley. Your Word describes valley experiences as dark and desolate seasons of weeping.
I’ve realized that the challenges of the valley show me my weaknesses and my need for You. It’s in the valley that I look up and SEEK Your face. It’s in the valley that I admit my sins and offer my heart to You in repentance. And it’s in the valley that You take my hand and walk beside me.
Whether I am on the mountain or in the valley You are always with me. You are my light and my salvation You replace my sin with Your grace and enable me to live for Your glory. You give me the strength and peace I need to trust Your will one day at a time.
So, even in the darkest valley, I can, with Your help, live without fear. I can look up and say, “My help comes from the Lord, my Creator, my Savior, my Help in times of need.” You are the One who protects me and lifts my head to SEEK Your face.
Thank you for always being with me. On the mountain or in the valley . . . wherever I am, I am never alone. You are my strength and You give me peace. You are the One who saves me. And “With my whole being, body, and soul, I will shout joyfully to the living God.” Amen.
Whether you are on top of the mountain or walking through a dark valley today . . . remember, God is with you.
And where the Lord is there is strength, peace, and joy.
May He bless you today as He reminds you to “Look Up!”
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I look at the “valley’s” as places to strengthen my relationship with God. I can tell you too, that they are not pleasant at all and can realy bring me to my knees. The “valley” I am in now and have been for a good while, is starting to show gleams of light. The light from God who is carrying me and showing me my own strength. Days are getting better because I am beginning to accept this as it is. It will only be by God’s divine intervention that this will be rectified. I know that God only allows valleys to help us and not harm us. This has deepened my trust and faith in Him.
I pray for all of you who are in a “valley” and for those who have gone through them.
Deb, thank you again for your wonderful wisdom. I pray that you and your family have a great and safe weekend. Blessings and Hugs!
Amen to your comments my sweet friend! God is always with us and most especially in the valleys! I am happy that your heart is beginning to feel less heavy and your spirit is feeling lighter. And God may yet use His Divine Intervention for this situation, but all we can do is give it all to Him and let His will be done! Thank you also for your comments to me the other day! I too, have been a bit down and out, but God is bringing me back to feel His presence with me and the joy I know that can only come from Him. I will be praying that you feel lighter and brighter everyday! And happy late May birthday! My birthday is November! But we still are cut from the same cloth in so many ways! Sometimes your thoughts are like they are my own! Oh how I wish we could sit on your screened in porch together and pray and praise our loving and patient Father! I wish you a most wonderful and happy weekend, though I am sure you are feeling the hot temps down your way! Even here in the mountains of East Tennessee, the temps and humidity are keeping me inside, except early morning, or late evening! Be happy and stay cool and I am sending you a big hug of support and encouragement! God is the only glue we need when our hearts are broken! Joyful blessings always, my dear, dear friend!
Kathy,
I am so glad to hear from you. I had a feeling that you may have been a bit down. Funny how a far away friendship can sense things!! I do hope that you will feel lighter too from what every is burdening you. Sometimes it just happens. You have the most beautiful heart and such wonderful ways to say things. They hit right on target. By the way, my Mother’s birthday was in Novenmer. It was November 21st. I think of her all of the time, but on that day, I think of so many good and special memories. My Mother was one of a kind. I have to chuckle when I think of some of her “doings”! She was, as we say in the South, “a mess and so good hearted”!
It is hot here and so humid. Right now, Screen porch sitting is not feasible!! It is too hot, even in the early morning hours.
I am looking forward to the Great Smoky Mountains next week. I wish that you could live close enough to come and sit on the porch so we could sing praises to our wonderful God. And alligeance to this beautiful
country of ours!!
I hope that you have a great weekend, and a peaceful one. Hugs to you too and lots of good wishes!!
Oh wow, how i wish I could hook up with you next wk! Hopefully the mtns will be a bit cooler and you can enjoy sitting on a cabin porch for a bit! I hope you have a most wonderful and blessed time! And it is amazing how hearts can feel things from across the miles of friendship. I am usually like the energizer bunny, going and going, but sometimes my batteries do run out. We did get Ken’s dad moved into the memory care unit this Monday, but he was not happy at all. Of course, so much of this is related to his dementia. He has acclimated a bit better these last few days, but seems there is a new challenge daily. Kenny is also his Power of Attorney, so the forms and bills and phone calls never stop. And still trying to go through all the stuff at his mom and dads house too. But I am thankful that we are able to look after things for Vic and I know so many who go through this journey with aging parents. I know God will give us the grace to get through it, and I am not complaining, but we do get tired. Please keep me in your prayers, and I of course will be praying for you! I will be thinking of you next week and hope the cool breezes in the mountains will refresh and delight your beautiful heart and soul! Thank you for being such a dear and sweet friend and caring so much about me! God always knows just what we need and He has brought us together here with Deb and all the other precious souls who come share in servitude and faith and sharing God and His immeasurable love for all His children! Hugs and love sweet Sue!
P.S. My birthday is the 16th, but i have a special nephew and 2 sweet nieces that are on the 21st! My youngest brother who died in 2005, was on Nov 22! And you mom sounds so awesome and spunky and I know you miss her everyday! I ache sometimes, longing to have my mom to talk to…and their birthdays and Mother’s Day can be bittersweet days.
I think that no matter what age we are, life without our moms is just not as much fun! But on a lighter note, I saw this sign in a gift shop that said
“I am tired of being an adult, if anyone needs me, I will be in my blanket tent coloring!”
It just somehow made me feel better! Mom always let us get the blankets off the bed and help us make a tent! We kids, would play for hours in them, especially in the winter when we couldnt go outside! I did pick up a few of the Christian Adult Coloring books and did enjoy being a kid for awhile as I colored in them! I am so thankful I had such a loving and wonderful mom and dad!
Sweet, sweet memories to always cherish!
I love the saying you read. We too, would have tent blankets when I was little. Mom was so good and so creative. You and I came up in a good generation. I love to color. I color a lot, especially when I am “pondering” or trying to find solace and peace. I am so animated that I love the little childrens coloring books! I also buy coloring books and crayons (I keep a stock of them) to give to little ones on special occasions.
I am glad that you and Ken are able to take care of his father. I know it means a lot. I am also glad that he is adjusting better to his new living arrangement for the moment. I know that before, you told me it is a five hour trip for y’all. I do pray for safety for you in those travels. You have such a good heart and I know that you were raised by a loving set of parents. I can tell by the things you say and by your deep compassion.
I am grateful for you and this friendship and, I am grateful for Deb. Isn’t she wonderful? This blog of hers helps so many of us. And, the folks that follow it are just sensational.
Oh, my birthday is May 23. I am old!! Haha! But it is nice that God has let me live this long and to be in fairly good health.
God bless you and yours this week. I will keep you in my prayers and also keep you in my thoughts as we enjoy those beautiful mountains of North Carolina.
It is hard to struggle through the valleys, Sue. I’m so sorry. I am thankful that the Lord gives us one another and allows us to walk together. And I’m especially thankful that He is close to hold on and even carry us when the shadows threaten and overwhelm us. Thank you for your encouragement and for being a friend who is walking along side. I hope your enjoying a blessed weekend. Hugs!
Knowing that God is with me, no matter where I am or how I’m feeling, is the greatest comfort to my heart.
Blessings, Deb!
I completely agree, Martha! I can’t even begin to imagine trying to do a portion of the day without Him. His presence is my peace and hope throughout each day. Blessings! Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend.
I so needed this comfort and encouragement today! I have been in several different kinds of valleys all at the same time lately. But God is so good, so understanding, and so mercifully reaches down and helps me climb back to mountain top. And after being in the valley, the view from the mountain top is all the more beautiful! Psalm 84:11 is one of my very favorite verses and I love your words “Strength for today, hope for tomorrow and joy in His presence. That is the goodness and grace of God.”
These words spoke to my heart and soul and spirit! And will be going on my frig! As usual your prayers always touch my heart and somehow as I read them, I know God is hearing my prayer, through you. Thank You so very much, that you and your blog are a constant in my life and always an infusion of God’s glory and power and love to my soul! Your words were exceptionally beautiful and so humbling to me, today. Blessings my dear and cherished friend.
Prayers to you my dear sweet friend and hugs to help you feel better. God is good, all the time and all the time God is good!!
Thank you so much, Kathy! I am so glad you were blessed and encouraged. I love your suggestion of putting verses and phrases that bless and inspire me on notes and putting them up on the frig or in various places around the house. What a wonderful way to be faithfully reminded of God’s Word and His loving presence and care. Thank you, sweet friend. Praying that you are having a heart soothing beautiful weekend. Hugs!
I count relate to this as I have walked in the dark valley many times. Now I can see the light as I continue to follow our Savior. Knowing he is always with me and my family protecting us from evil and guiding us daily. Thank you dear Lord for your love, Peace, Grace, and Mercy you give me daily.
God has placed me in this path to grow in my faith with all the wonderful prayers and scriptures send from this podcast. Blessings Deb and all the lovely ladies who follow.
I am so thankful for all the dear friends I am making here too Ana, and I think God knew we needed each other! Though separated geographically, our hearts are connected through Deb and her blog by the blessing of God! I can tell by your testaments here, how deep and abiding your faith truly is! You are an inspiration for me and Im sure that all who gather are always encouraged by your words! Have a blessed and safe weekend, Ana! You are a jewel to my heart!
Thank you, Ana! You so beautifully described the “peace that passes understanding.” We are blessed now and forever my His loving care, mercy, and grace. Thank you for joining us and for faithfully adding to the conversations. Many blessings!