Battle of the Valley
Joshua 17:13-18
5/5/06
And it happened, when the children of Israel grew strong, that they put the Canaanites to forced labor, but did not utterly drive them out. Then the children of Joseph spoke to Joshua, saying, "Why have you given us only one lot and one share to inherit, since we are a great people, inasmuch as the LORD has blessed us until now?" So Joshua answered them, "If you are a great people, then go up to the forest country and clear a place for yourself there in the land of the Perizzites and the giants, since the mountains of Ephraim are too confined for you." But the children of Joseph said, "The mountain country is not enough for us; and all the Canaanites who dwell in the land of the valley have chariots of iron, both those who are of Beth Shean and its towns and those who are of the Valley of Jezreel." And Joshua spoke to the house of Joseph--to Ephraim and Manasseh--saying, "You are a great people and have great power; you shall not have only one lot, but the mountain country shall be yours. Although it is wooded, you shall cut it down, and its farthest extent shall be yours; for you shall drive out the Canaanites, though they have iron chariots and are strong."
Known, in Hebrew, as "The Valley of God’s Saving" , the Jezreel Valley is located between the mountains of Samaria in the south and the Galilee heights in the north.
Many battles were fought there when ancient Israel struggled against its enemies. Gideon, Saul, and Deborah won great victories in the valley,
Just because we have a valley experience does not mean that we cannot have victory in the valley.
It said in our text this morning that the children of Israel looked over to what they wanted the beautiful wooded land. But something separated them from what they wanted – The Valley
What you want will also be connected with a price to pay!
The old saying is true “ You get what you pay for “
Sometimes God may put us in a valley or we may need to decide that I am going to have to cross this valley to get what I want. In either case I hope we can be like Job when he said - "I had heard of you with my ears but now my eyes have seen you" (Job 42:4). One thing is unmistakably certain; the valley will never leave you neutral. It will either blind you and harden you against the grace and mercy of God, or it will sharpen your vision of His grace and mercy.
These valleys could just as well be named the "Valleys of Worry and Fear." The uncertainty of what they might encounter could very well produce both in the hearts and minds of those who enter.
David did not worry about nor fear this valley as he entered it. He knew who his Shepherd was!!!! and he knew what He was able to do. For David, it was a walk in the park. He knew he was not walking alone. "...I will fear no evil for Thou art with me: Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me."
What About the Valley Experience? Each one of us at some point in our Christian walk will encounter a valley to pass through that will try to produce worry and fear in us. What will be a comfort to us when this happens? The answer is the promises of God and the Holy Spirit. They become His presence - His rod and His staff that will be a comfort to us when this happens.
1. Does your valley cause you to be worried, anxious, afraid, or troubled?
God will give you peace. "Do not let your heart be troubled. Trust in God: trust also in Me...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: 1,17).
2. Does your valley cause you to be worried about the future?
God will guide you. "I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you" (Psalm 32:8).
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight" (Proverbs 3:5).
3. Does your valley cause you to be afraid of feeling alone?
God will never leave you.
"Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you: (Deut. 31:6).
"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you: (John 14:18).
Scripture tells us that Jesus is the lily of the valley. That should give us hope today:
Ø Even in our lowest state, Jesus is there!
Ø Just as the children of Israel wanted that land past the valley. I am doing the same this morning. My eyes are looking at heaven my real home and I will pass through the valleys of life to get there! The valley will not stop me! Whatever the valley brings, I will learn from it and with the lily by my side – I will get home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
