Many of my peers aren’t big fans of birthdays. Me, I love them. Last year I had a pivotal one, and I celebrated in a big way, first with a tea party and then by whitewater rafting the day away. This, my friends, is a girl who knows how to have a good time.
Over the hill. That’s what the world would say I am. But even that has a positive connotation in my overly optimistic mind. See, when you think about being over the hill, that means you’re looking back over your shoulder at one valley and looking ahead toward another. And that, my friends, is exactly where you encounter the Lord.
My valleys have been of varying depths: Some have been chasms of overwhelming darkness and pain, and some have been brief forays into a low place where the light still shines dimly. But I know that God has not forsaken me in my valley, and He will not require that I climb out alone.
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. – Psalm 23:4
Our valleys are, ideally, times of growth. Some of that growth can come through correction. Correction can be painful (I personally don’t want to be whacked with a rod or jerked back onto my feet by a staff), but it’s a reminder that God is there with us. Without that whack or jerk, I could lose my footing and end up in a worse state than I started.
But sometimes the Lord allows us to remain in our valleys for an uncomfortably long time. We forget that He promises not to leave or forsake us (Deut 31:6). All we see is the hills pressing in on us on either side. Our hearts – which are deceptively wicked – will tell us we are forgotten. But our Deliverer is coming.
I lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. – Psalm 121:1-2
We can count not only on His ever-present help today but also His promises for tomorrow. Our valleys will someday be leveled; our darkness will be swallowed up in glorious light.
Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. . . . See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power, and His arm rules for Him. See, His reward is with Him, and His recompense accompanies Him. – Isaiah 40:4,5;10
What valleys are you experiencing? What dark recesses are you endlessly gazing into? Please feel free to share your story of defeat and deliverance with me. Perhaps right now the valley seems like a distant bad memory. Be assured, however, that another one is before you. And when you enter that valley, remember that God is just over the hill.
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