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The Devotional Diva - The Door of Hope in the Valley
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The Devotional Diva - The Door of Hope in the Valley
By Barbara Gobbs
Executive Assistant and Ministry Partner - Pocket Full of Change Ministries
“And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope.” Hosea 2:15 (KJV)
We’ve reviewed Psalm 23* over the past few weeks in church and while it is one of the more familiar passages of Scripture, I find it one of the most fascinating ones as well.
Last week, we looked at Psalm 23:4 “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.”
This verse prompted a discussion of valleys, which cranked up the voltage in my mind. I made a mental note to go home and further research valleys in the Bible. I was amazed at the information I pulled up. Let me share with you some of the valleys mentioned in Scripture. See if you can relate to any of them.
The Valley of Giants (Joshua 18:16)
The Valley of Salt (2 Samuel 8:13)
The Valley of Craftsman (Neh. 11:35)
The Valley of the Shadow of Death (Psalms 23:4)
The Valley of Vision (Isaiah 22:1)
The Valley of Slaughter (Jer. 7:32)
The Valley of Dead Bodies (Jer. 31:40)
The Valley of Decision (Joel 3:14)
The Valley of Mountains (Zach. 14:5)
Desolate Valleys (Isaiah 7:19)
Choicest Valleys (Isaiah 22:7)
Fat Valleys (Isaiah 28:1)
Rough Valleys (Deut. 21:4)
Bob particularly likes the valley of craftsman, because he figures it overflows with power tools. Isn’t that just like a man? Truthfully, I wouldn’t mind walking in that valley as opposed to say, the valley of slaughter!
Of course, there are many other valleys listed in Scripture, named after various places and people. However, when I looked at the titles of these particular valleys, it made me stop and wonder, “what valley am I walking in today?”
I have to say after dinner the other night, I felt in trapped in the fat valley. Okay, all kidding aside, some day’s things really move with great joy in my life and I bask in the choicest valley. Other days, I might feel a brief sting in life, but I see God preserving me in the valley of salt.
When I suffer the loss of a loved one, I am walking through the valley of dead bodies. Severe illness or injury would certainly place my thoughts near the valley of the shadow of death. Occasionally, I feel all alone in a desolate valley.
Whatever valley I find myself in, I notice they bring to the mouth of another valley, the Valley of Decision. Now the Valley of Decision is a very interesting place. It forces me to look toward Jesus and the Valley of Achor, door of hope.
You see, in the Valley of Decision a multitude of things occur. Perhaps I am passing through that valley due the number of decisions life requires me to make. Other times, I wind up there by journeying in another valley and I must decide, “Do I let Christ walk with me through this valley or do I try walking it alone?”
To answer correctly I must rely on the certainty of the Door of Hope. When I do, the answer to my previous question is clear. I let Christ lead and I simply follow. Now it’s not always easy because some valleys are easier to get out of than others. Some take more days than we have tears, but in the history of humanity and of Barbara – God has never led me where He didn’t keep me and bring me safely out of the other side of my circumstance.
I don’t know where you find yourself today. But wherever you walk take courage, strength and joy – because in every valley lies the Door of Hope in Jesus Christ.
Your Valley Girl,
Barbara
* If you’d like additional insight from others on Psalm 23, try reading Phillip Keller’s “A Shepherd Looks at Psalms 23” or Max Lucado’s “Traveling Light.”
Barbara Gobbs is a ministry partner with and the Executive Assistant of Pocket Full of Change Ministries. For more information, to schedule a speaker for an event, or to request a newsletter, go to www.pocketfullofchange.org or call Gail Golden, Publicist at 904 316-5462. This ministry is supported by donations. If this ministry helps you or others, and God calls you to help support this work, you can make a donation to Pocket Full of Change Ministry at POB 51205, Jacksonville Beach, Florida 32240.
© Pocket Full of Change Ministries
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