1 Kings 20:23 ‘And the servants of the king of Syria said unto him, Their gods are gods of the hills; therefore they were stronger than we; but let us fight against them in the plain, and surely we shall be stronger than they.24 And do this thing, Take the kings away, every man out of his place, and put captains in their rooms:25 And number thee an army, like the army that thou hast lost, horse for horse, and chariot for chariot: and we will fight against them in the plain, and surely we shall be stronger than they. And he hearkened unto their voice, and did so.26 And it came to pass at the return of the year, that Benhadad numbered the Syrians, and went up to Aphek, to fight against Israel.27 And the children of Israel were numbered, and were all present, and went against them: and the children of Israel pitched before them like two little flocks of kids; but the Syrians filled the country.
Have you ever faced a valley before? Where it seemed that you were outnumbered, surrounded, and were completely and totally helpless. .This is how Israel felt this day. The tear before Ben hadad had brought 32 kings and their armies against Samaria, and God brought a wonderful victory. But now Ben Hadad is back. A servant had convinced him that Israel’s God is a God of mountaintops, but their gods are gods of the valley. If they could get Israel into a battle in the valley, they would be victorious.
Israel is so out-numbered that they look like 2 small herds of sheep, While Ben hadads army cover the whole valley. Could you imagine the fear that gripped the hearts of the army of Israel? Discouragement and despair must have filled their minds. Thoughts of giving up; Surrender must have been the discussion of the day. But God was not going to stand for the idea that His presence was limited to the mountain tops.
Many times in our lives we find ourselves in the middle of the valley, We are weak, tired, empty and alone. We feel so far from the presence and the anointing of God. And when we call on Him we feel like we get a busy signal.
ILL: We are like the man who went to the Doctor;
The Doctor says to the patient I have bad news, and I have worse news.
The patient says ok lets have it.
The Doctor says the bad news is that you only have 24 hrs to live!.
The patient says I can’t imagine what could be worse than that!!
The doctor replies I forgot to tell you yesterday.
But I want you to know today that God is not only the God of the mountain but He is God of every valley that you will face in your life.
1. A Valley is a place of Trial.
(A) The valley is the place that our faith is put to the test.(1Peter 1:6-7)
(B) The valley is hard( Psalm 84:5-6)
Baca means place of weeping;
A valley in Palestine, Full of thorns and brush.
God will care for them in the valley.
God will bring them out.
Weeping may endure for a night, but Joy Comes in the morning. (Psalms 30:5)
When you are standing on the mountain tops the Power of God fills your Spirit.
1. Nothing like those services where the anointing is so great
Souls being saved.
People being baptized in the Holy Ghost.
Many slain in the spirit. We need those mountain top experiences.
2. The saint of God needed the mountain top experiences.
Peter, James, John. Needed encouragement for the days ahead.
Moses Mountain tops. Needed direction for what God called Him to do.
Moses didn’t even know how to refer to God. He needed encouragement to face Pharaoh.
3. But as much as we would like to we can’t live on the mountain tops.
We experience these wonderful mountain tops to prepare us for our valleys.
D. In the valley our faith is stretched. (John 11)
1. Mary and Martha were in a valley Lazarus was sick. They called for Jesus
He delayed His coming Martha and Mary both said If you only….”
Jesussaid I am the resurrection and the life do you believe?
2. What a valley of despair to walk through.
They had done everything right
They had given to the ministry
They called Jesus when their Brother Got sick.
3. Jesus was stretching their faith!!
Martha Do you believe?
I am here in the middle of your valley
DO you trust me.
4 He is God of the mountain but He is also God of the valley.
2. A Valley is a place of victory. (1Samuel 17)
A) Israel stood on the edge of the valley for 40 days listening to Goliath.
Fear had gripped their hearts.
Depression hung heavy over the army of Israel.
They were humiliated.
They hid in the rocks.
(Gods great men of war)
B) David stood that day full of the anointing proclaiming the power of God over this heathen that defiled the living God.
The moment the rock hit its mark Victory was heard in the valley, as all the army of Israel rose up to defeat the philistine army.
God was their God in the valley that day.
C. Victory comes to those that place their trust in Him. (Mark 9:17...)
There was a man that was in a valley his son was possessed
Would through himself in the fire and water to destroy him
Deaf, mute
The man brought him to Jesus.
Jesus said to Him Mark 9:23, 24.
What the man was saying is, Jesus I believe as far as my earthly faith will take me. Come alongside of me, in the midst of my valley, and extend my faith.
3. A Valley is a place of assurance.
A. No matter how hard it gets how alone you feel you can rest on His promises that He will be with us.
Deut 31:6
B. There is a song that Goes:
The God of the mountain is Still God in the valley
When things go wrong He’ll make them right
The God of the Good times is still God in the bad times, the God of the day, is still God in the night.
Prov 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
