Walking Through the Valley Psalm 23

1The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. 4 Yea, 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. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell [a] in the house of the Lord Forever.a

Walking Through the Valley 1.Valley experience is part of our way of life. John 16:33 33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will [a] have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”a

Variety of reasons people get into the valley i.Spiritual warfare 1 Peter 5:8 8 Be sober, be alert; because [a] your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.a – often when things get tough we blame the devil

ii.God, the Good shepherd can take us to the valley John 10:11,14, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheepthe good shepherd 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.

iii.We also may experience pain and suffering because of the action of others iv.By our own wandering from God’s best for our life. The good news is that every valley is a passage way rather than a destination.

2. God is in control Psalm 115:3 3 But our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases. Romans 8:28 28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.work

Depth of the valley is determined by what God wants to accomplish in our life. God determines the duration of our trials and how intense they will be. 13 No temptation [a] has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted [b] beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, [c] he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Cor 10:13abc

How do people respond in the valley? 1.Sometimes people respond negatively in a valley A.The absence of solid belief system. Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. John 3:16 God is Love.. John 14:26 But the Helper, the Holy spirit, whom the Father will send in my Name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

Isaiah 40:28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth. He doesn’t faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable. Psalm 103

B.Failure to understand the ways of the Lord Isaiah 55: 8-9 – 8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. – 9 As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

C.Faith based on emotion rather than the word of God. Hebrews 11: 1 – Now faith is the substance ( confidence) of things hoped for, the evidence( certain) of things not seen.

D.They don’t know His promises. Jer 29:11 – 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Matthew 11:28-29 – 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest in your souls.

Isaiah 40: He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

We learn more in a valley experience than we do on the mountain top. 2.The correct way to respond to life’s valley Surrender to God James 4:7&10 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. Psalm 46:10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Believe that the Lord will use this experience for Good. Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who [a] have been called according to his purpose.a

3. Rest in His wisdom, Love and Power God is full of wisdom. He is omniscient and omnipotent and all loving. 4. Thank Him for bringing you through the valley 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Conclusion: All of us will experience adversities in Life. As children of God we have an All powerful, Loving God on our side enabling us to face with confidence our adversities in Life. God uses those adversities to mould us and make us to be the kind of person He wants us to be. Give thanks to God for every valley experience we have because we learn more in valley experience than we do on the mountain top.