In the Valley

1 Chronicles 10:7

And when all the men of Israel that were in the valley saw that they fled, and that Saul and his sons were dead, then they forsook their cities, and fled: and the Philistines came and dwelt in them.

Your life testimony is often defined in the valley. It is essential not to let the valley define you, but do right so that you define your valley that eventually defines you. Many of the great testimonies of history were defined when they faced a valley of life. You can try to avoid valleys in life, but you cannot, for they are a part of life. Let me share several critical actions you must do in the valley so that the valley becomes the catapult to a great testimony for God.

First, don't flee in the valley. When Saul was killed in the battle, the verse above says the men that were in the valley fled. God cannot make good out of your life if you flee in your valleys. The valleys don't cause people to fight or flee; they just reveal the champion or the coward within, depending on the action you take in your valley.

Second, remember God is still God in the valley. Psalm 23:4 says, Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. God never lets you walk through a valley alone; if you look beyond the shadow, you will see He is still with you.

Third, walk in the valley. Notice the psalmist says, I walk through the valley. The valleys are no time to make big decisions; rather, they are a time you need to continue walking and doing what you did before you faced the valley.

Fourth, dig wells in the valley. Genesis 26:19 says, And Isaac's servants digged in the valley, and found there a well of springing water. Keep serving God while you are in the valley, and you will find blessings in your valley. Too many want to hide and sulk in the valley, and then wonder why they are so depressed; it is because they are doing nothing to find the well of springing water in their valley. You will only find the well of springing water in your valley by digging the wells of service to God by doing right. Many great blessings have come from the valleys that become a well of springing waters that you drink from for the remainder of your life. The valley can become a place of blessings if you choose to continue to serve God in those valleys.

Fifth, reap a harvest in the valley. 1 Samuel 6:13 says, And they of Bethshemesh were reaping their wheat harvest in the valley…. One sure way to find blessings in your valley is to share the Gospel with people. Nothing can give you a moment of joy in your valley like leading someone to Christ. Let the valleys of life be your command to go soul winning. You can turn heartache into joy if you choose to go soul winning in your valleys.

Sixth, have faith victories in your valley. 1 Samuel 21:9 says, And the priest said, The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom thou slewest in the valley of Elah…. David did not defeat Goliath on the mountaintop but in the valley. Your valley can be a place of great victory if you choose to attempt great things by faith. God always honors faith, and the fact that God promised to walk with you through the valley means it can be a place of great victory if you attempt something great by faith. Your valley can become the place of God’s greatest works only if you choose to let God be God in the valley by attempting something great for God by faith.