What are these “valleys” of life? Literally, a valley is a “hollow or surface depression of the earth bounded by hills or mountains.” In human expression, a “valley,” is that part of our experience when we are in our low points. When we are happy it is said that we are in a “mountain top” experience.
When we are sad we are in the “valleys” of life. We cannot avoid being in the valleys. David talks about his “valley,” “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me (Ps 23:4).” David pointed out the great truth that we will not stay in the valley but we will go through the valley.
It means trials will come to us and it will come to pass. Soon our stories of triumph will set in. Sorrow is not permanent. Hope comes in the morning.
Jeremiah 29:11 writes, “For I know the plans that ‘I have for you,’ declares the Lord ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.’” Welfare and calamity are two opposite words. God is planning for our “welfare.” Yet calamity surrounds and engulfs us.
In the midst of chaos, hope is born. Without the valleys, mountains and hills are just rough and pointed edges of the earth’s surface. But with the valleys the landscape becomes idyllic. It turns into a beautiful sight. The same is true with life welfare follows the warfare.
Oscar Wilde says, “We are all in the gutters, but some of us are looking for the stars.” When the night envelopes the sky some see darkness yet others will not focus in the darkness but on the brightness of the stars and the moon.
God paints hope in the canvass of crisis. Hope is in the hearts of those who are in the valleys of life. The Scriptures uses the word hope in the promise of Jesus found in John 14:1-3, “Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In my Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so I would have told you. For I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.”
Hope means to anticipate a joyful event. It is embracing God’s promises that are yet to come. God is a good God. He is merciful and loving. God keeps His promises.
Psalms 103: 11-12, “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His loving kindness toward those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”
Hosea 2:14-15 speaks about an interesting experience about the restoration of Israel after being found guilty of unfaithfulness to God. V.14, “Therefore, behold, I will allure her, bring her into the wilderness. Then I will give her her vineyards from there, and the valley of Achor as a door of hope. She will sing there as in the days of her youth, as in the day when she came up from the land of Egypt.” Wilderness, vineyards, and a valley are places the prophet Hosea mentioned here.
A wilderness experience is never a pleasant one. Yet when we are not with God we are left in the wilderness. Vineyards are grape-bearing vine plantations. It is a place where we choose to be merry and get drunk. The valley of Achor (Joshua 7:25-26) literally means the valley of trouble. It is so named after Achan, the one who betrayed the Israelites. But this prophecy is about a door of Achor becoming the door of hope. The question today is: How can I find hope in the “valleys of life?” There are four ways that I want to help you find how.
Resting
David found his way of hope by resting in the “green pastures” and refreshing in the “quiet waters” in the valley of death (Ps 23:2). Friends, we cannot extract ourselves from the realities of life. We cannot ignore the fact that imperfect human beings make imperfect decisions. We are not allowed to be “jumpers” if the going gets tough. Yet hope resides in the realities, imperfections, and toughness of life. When God created the valleys, He also made patches of green things and oasis of solace in that “valley.”
Look for something good while in the valley. Better yet look for the grace of God in the valleys of life.
Restoring
Jeremiah found his way of hope by exclaiming the Lord “will restore your fortunes” and by assuring his people that the Lord “will bring you back to the place where I sent you into exile (Jer 29:14).” The experience of prophet Jeremiah dwarfs our own trouble. He is the bearer of news to a rebellious people. He has to endure the unpopularity of his messages. Yet he found hope by exclaiming the Lord’s promises and assuring them of God’s mercy.
When Jeremiah was in the lowest ebb, God wipe his tears away. Speak something good while in the valley. Better still speak about the goodness of God when you are in trials and in sorrow.
Redeeming
Jesus found the way of hope for us by redeeming us and being an example to all of us. He said “do not be troubled” just “believe in me (John 14:1).” He knows who He was. He is convicted of what He can do to sinners. Jesus acted on His claims and persuades His disciples to do the same.
The center of every person’s hope is found in the cross of Jesus. Without His sacrifice and those excruciating pains He felt we will not be convince that there is hope. But He proved to us that He is worthy of our trust. He walks in the valley and he crossover from death to life.
Live and die for something good while in the valley. The purpose of our life is more meaningful than the possessions of our lives. Live for Christ. Die for His Kingdom. We find hope because He redeemed us.
Receiving
Hosea found his way of hope by receiving and obeying the Lord to marry a person not worthy of his love and declaring to “those who were not my people, you are my people” so that they will say of the Lord, you are our God (Hos 2:23). The life of prophet Hosea remains an undesirable life. His “valleys” are too many and too rough. Yet he was able to find a door of hope in his experiences. The Lord used Hosea to shame us of our unfaithfulness to God. Hosea was faithful to his God and to His commands despite the great odds of his life.
Be an agent of something good while in the valley. Being an agent of God in a tough time means to receive His Word to help others find hope but most of all God will receive and bless us in these times. May God encourage you to find Hope today in your “valleys.”