WALK THROUGH
How many of us believed that when we gave our lives to Christ, life was meant to be easy?
In Psalm 84:5-7, the Psalmist depicts some of the journey for God's people, and the text does not indicate that our walk with God is one without pain.
"What joy for those whose strength comes from the Lord , who have set their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of refreshing springs. The autumn rains will clothe it with blessings. They will continue to grow stronger, and each of them will appear before God in Jerusalem." - Psalms 84:5-7 NLT
The portion starts with God's people traveling to Jerusalem to worship. They are strong in God and their hearts are set on worshipping him (v. 5).
But along the way, they encounter the "Valley of Weeping". Certainly, the 'valley of weeping' reflect many of our experiences in the past few weeks. So many are grieving the loss of peace, mobility, security, health, and connection.
In our journey through life, we are not exempt from the Valley of Weeping. Here are some encouragements for "valley" times:
1. We are meant to go through the valley (v. 6).
The encouragement here is that we go through it. The valley is not our destination. It is important to keep our hearts and those around us filled with hope, to keep looking forward and not to get 'stuck' in the valley forever.
2. God is going to lead us out of it.
"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
Jesus, the light of the world, is with us. There is a well-known saying, 'there is a light at the end of the tunnel', but with the believer, Jesus is the light in the tunnel. No matter how dark it may seem, Jesus will never leave us or forsake us.
3. The valley experience can become a fruitful one (v. 6).
Do not waste this time. God has given us time maybe to refresh your life, restart things, reconnect to people or recommit to Him.
God is able to change what the enemy meant for evil, for His good. -Genesis 50:20
4. We will be stronger once we have walked through to the other side (v. 7).
They say No pain, No gain. But also we need to realize that this pain we are has a purpose. If we are honest we choose not to go through pain if there is no purpose for it. We will not go to the gym and feel the pain if there is no good purpose. And that is more encouraging for all of us. We having pain with a purpose
5. Our view and knowledge of God will be even clearer (v. 7).
We will truly know Him as our rock, our defender and our hiding place. - Psalm 32:7.
God is with us in this valley and that He is going to lead us out of it. Let's trust that on the other side, we will be stronger and know Him better.
>>>>>>>>>>Life Group Discussion Questions:
• Kamustahan: Describe your dream life?
• Before the lesson: What do you think when there is no life difficulty?
• After the lesson: How can you be more fruitful in midst of difficulties?
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Encounter Christian Campus Ministry Daily Devotions 2020
SpiritualBe blessed to have these wonderful and powerful devotions from Encounter Christian Campus Ministry-Philippines! This is filled with spiritual insights and life-experience lessons that will be of great help to us in this times of crisis. The origina...
