Sermon Central
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Vally Series
Contributed by Carl Kelleher on Jun 4, 2003 (message contributor)
Summary: In-depth analysis of the 23rd Psalm
Title: “He Is The God Of The Valley”
Psalms 23: 4
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of Death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your Rod & Your Staff, they comfort me.”
Every one of us likes to have a Mountain Top Experience with God;
-Because it feels so good.
-It’s a Place of Refreshing.
-We feel so close to God.
-We don’t ever want it to end.
We’re like the Three Disciples that Jesus took up on the Mountain & He was Transfigured before their very eyes.
-His Face began to Shine like the Sun.
-His Clothes became as white as Light.
-Moses & Elijah appeared before them.
-They knew something Supernatural was happening.
Peter couldn’t contain himself. He said to Jesus, “Lord it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make three Tabernacles; one for You, one for Moses, & one for Elijah.”
While Peter was still speaking, a Bright Cloud overshadowed them; & suddenly a voice came out of the Cloud saying, “This is My Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased hear Him.”
p. 2
God was doing something Supernatural on this Mountain Top, & He wasn’t doing it for Jesus;
-Jesus knew He was God’s Son.
-He knew what His assignment was.
-God was doing this for the Three Disciples.
I think that every one of us have had a Mountain Top experience with God, where God revealed Himself to us in a Supernatural way.
-Moses did on the Backside of the Desert.
-Jacob had it when he wrestled with an Angel.
-Saul had it on the Damascus Road.
-Peter had it when he cast his net into the deep.
-We enjoy the Mountain Top Experiences.
-We don’t want to come down from the Mt.
But Jesus had to say to the Disciples, “No, I don’t want you to build Three Tabernacles here Peter, because we can’t stay up here, we have a work to do down there.”
I want to say something that you already know, but sometimes we need to be reminded, “Life is not always a Mountain Top Experience.”
-You can’t always stay on the Mountain Top.
-God allows us to have Mt. Top Experiences.
-Because He knows that we need them.
-But He knows that we can’t stay there!
p. 4
I want to say something that I hope you never forget. “The God that is with you on the Mt. Top, is the same God that has promised to be with you in the Valley.”
Every one of us in this room someway between the New Birth & The New Jerusalem will experience, not one, but many Valley Experiences in our Lives. And it isn’t always because;
-You have some deep dark Sin in your Life.
-It isn’t because you have a Lack of Faith.
-It doesn’t mean you’re off Track.
-But Valleys are a Part of Life.
p. 5
Job 14: 1
“Man who is born of woman, Is of few days & full of Trouble.”
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have Peace. In the world you will have Tribulation; but be of Good Cheer, I have overcome the world.”
It’s easy to Trust God on the Mountain Top when everything is going our way. But it takes the Faith of God to continue to Trust God when you are passing through a Dark Valley. Notice I said, “Passing Through”.
p. 6
Some of you may be facing a Valley in your Life even now. I know that some of you are, & you are wondering, “God, how long will this Valley Experience Last. I don’t enjoy it?”
I don’t think that’s a bad question to ask. I really think it’s a Natural Question. But I think that there is even a better question to ask God & it is, “God what is it that You are trying to teach me in this Valley? I want to pass the Test!”
I wish that all of us could face our Valleys like Job;
-He Lost His Children.
-He Lost His Possessions.
-He Lost His Wealth.
His friends said, “Job you must have sin in your Life.” His precious wife said, “Job, why don’t you just curse God & die.” He said, “You speak like a foolish woman!
“Look, I go forward, but He is not there & backward, but I cannot perceive Him;
“When He works on the Left Hand, I cannot behold Him; When He turns to the right Hand, I cannot see Him.
“But He knows the way that I take; When He has Tested me, I shall come forth as Gold.”
I don’t know why, & I don’t think that we will know this side of Eternity, but it seems as if some people face more valleys than others. But I know one thing, “We have a Shepherd who has promised to always be with us.”
