From the
desk of
pastor
Hector
Clerveaux
“Peace in
the Valley
of Life"
Text: “Even
though I
walk through
the valley
of the
shadow of
death, I
will fear no
evil…” (Ps.
23: 4)
Scripture:
Ps. 23: 1-6
Introduction.
Every year
brings its
shares of
mountaintop
and valley
during our
journey
toward
eternity.
For many
people last
year was a
trying time
in the
valley;
their
serenity and
happiness
were broken
suddenly by
the troubles
of life. A
few of us
were in the
mountaintop
for a few
days or
weeks, but
we did not
stay there
forever. The
view was
magnificent,
and the air
was fresh
and pure.
But the time
was coming
when we had
to go back
down to the
reality of
the valley.
It is
surprising
for many
people when
they are
going
through the
valley.
Because,
many of us
labor under
the
impression
that if we
love God and
try to do
the right
things,
trouble will
never come
our way.
Having this
philosophy
can be
disturbing
when trouble
does come.
Every person
needs to get
ready for
that valley
experience.
You can
choose to go
through it
alone or
with Jesus
Christ by
your side.
-
Prepare
for the
unpredictable.
Ps.23: 4a
David, the
writer of
Psalm 23,
starts the
chapter with
a positive
affirmation
and promises
that present
the
mountaintop
of life with
the Lord as
his
Shepherd. “The
Lord is my
Shepherd, I
shall not
want. He
makes me lie
down in
green
pastures, he
leads me
beside quiet
waters, He
restores my
soul…”
(Ps.23:1-3)
Every
follower of
Christ would
like the
chapter to
end at the
third verse.
It is the
mountaintop
experience
of a person
walking with
God. There
is no
tragedy that
lurks around
the green
pasture or
near the
quiet
waters; it
is the good
life. So we
go in the
sunlight of
life, happy
and looking
forward to
continuing
our
enjoyment.
Suddenly,
the Psalmist
presents the
other side
of life like
a cup of
cold water
in our
boiling pot
of joy.
“Even though
I walk
through the
valley of
the shadow
of death…”
(Ps.23:4a)
Beloved, we
need
something in
our hearts
to prepare
us for these
experiences.
My personal
experience
over the
years proves
that
everyone has
to walk
through the
valley
sometimes.
The real
tests of our
commitment
to God are
not often in
the
mountaintop,
but through
the valley.
We may have
to walk this
coming year
through the
valley of
sickness,
lost of
employment,
troubles
with spouse
or children,
death in the
family and
many more
pains and
tragedies.
We need in
our side a
Comforter, a
Shepherd
like Jesus
to walk us
through it
all.
-
Find
courage
from our
heroes of
faith.
Ps.23: 4b
The trials
and
tribulations
in the
valley of
life always
come like a
surprise to
us. However,
God never
makes
promises to
his children
that there
will be no
valley in
our walk
with him.
Job, the
righteous
one, went
into the
dark valley
of life. He
lost his
children,
his
marriage,
his
property,
his health
and
everything
around him.
But he had
something to
sustain him.
“Though
he slay me,
yet will I
trust him…”
(Job13:15).
He blindly
trusted God,
and his
faith was
rewarded.
Later, Job
was better
off in every
way than
ever before.
Paul went
down into
the dark
valley.
After his
conversion
to Christ he
lost all his
friends,
position and
possession.
He suffered
all sorts of
indignities
because of
his faith.
In his time
of
tribulations
and
troubles,
Paul tells
the Romans:
“We know
that all
things work
together for
good to them
that love
God, to them
who are
called
according to
his purpose”
(Romans 8:
28). In
the dark
valley Paul
had walked
with Jesus
and it had
been a good
decision.
John went
down into
the valley.
He was
exiled to
the Isle of
Patmos,
separated
from home,
friends and
loved ones.
But God
lifted the
curtain of
eternity and
gave a
glimpse of
what is
awaiting him
there.
“…Now
the dwelling
of God and
his people,
and God
himself will
be with
them. He
will wipe
every tear
from our
eyes. There
will be no
more death
or mourning
or crying or
pain, for
the order of
things has
passed
away.” (Rev.
21: 3 - 4).
Yes, we can
be sure that
the dark
valleys are
awaiting us
all. But as
David, we
should know
that we are
not going to
face them
alone. “I
will fear no
evil, for
you are with
me…”
(Ps.23:4).
In a
world of
uncertainty,
it is good
to know that
the presence
of God is
assured to
his
children.
-
Find peace
in the
promises
of Christ.
Ps. 23:6
The wondrous
thing about
Christianity
is the fact
that we are
walking with
a caring
Shepherd.
Christ is no
stranger to
our valleys;
he went
through most
of them
during his
time on
earth. We
can find
comfort in
the word of
the Epistle
to the
Hebrews: “For
we do not
have a high
priest who
is unable to
sympathize
with our
weaknesses,
but we have
one who has
tempted in
every way,
just as we
are – yet
without sin.
Let us
approach the
throne of
grace with
confidence,
so that we
may receive
mercy and
find grace
to help us
in our time
of trouble.”
(Heb.4:15-16).
Our Shepherd
is efficient
and
sufficient
in the
mountaintop
as well as
in the
valley. In
the despair
of the
Apostles,
Christ
offered them
his peace.
“Peace I
leave with
you; my
peace I give
you. I do
not give to
you as the
world gives.
Do not let
your hearts
be troubled
and do not
be afraid.”
(John 14:
27). As
God works in
history, so
He works in
individual
lives. His
people go
down into
the valley
where
everything
seems dark,
but He
promises to
bring them
out into the
light. He
sometimes
carries us
on his
shoulder and
other times
He gives us
grace to
bear all
that comes
our way.
Tomorrow is
unknown, but
our God is
well known
for his
power.
Conclusion.
Regardless
of what
tomorrow may
bring forth,
the children
of God
should trust
in his
everlasting
promises.
The
intensity of
our trust
determines
the
possibility
of peace in
the valley
of life. Let
us not live
our lives in
fear of
trouble that
may never
come our
way. And let
us not be
naïve to the
point of
thinking if
we love the
Lord valley
experiences
will never
be part of
our lives.
The words of
the sons of
Korah should
carry us
through the
year: “Be
still, and
know that I
am God…”
(Ps.46: 10).
Happy and
peaceful
year to all
the members
and friends
of
Redemption
Baptist
Church!
