Hope in the Valley

               In the Winter of 1777 and 1778 George Washington’s army spent those difficult months in Vally Forge Pennsylvania.  They endured many sufferings.  The troops lacked adequate food, clothing, and shoes.  They lived in hastily built log huts, endured the cold of winter, and lacked adequate supplies. They also experienced low morale.  During that 6-month encampment nearly 2,000 soldiers died from disease.  Yet Washington’s army also experienced hope in the valley.  General Washington was with them.  He was joined by his wife Martha who led the women in making clothing and doing laundry.  During that difficult winter Wahington’s rag tag army underwent rigorous training by Prussian General Baron von Steuben.  He transformed the Continental Army into a disciplined, professional force, which enabled the army to march forth from that valley with renewed confidence to continue the fight for freedom.

            In God’s Word many of His choice servants spent time in a valley.  I think of Elijah who went through the valley of discouragement when he ran from Jezebel.  Remember Job who went through his valley of intense suffering.  He lost his children, he lost his wealth, he lost his health, and he even lost the support of his wife. David wrote many Psalms while living on the run from Saul and other enemies who wanted to kill him.  God’s Word tells us about the valley of Baca in Ps. 84:5,6. Another valley is called the valley of the shadow of death: “Yea, 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” (Ps. 23:4).

You and I often spend time in a valley.  It may be a time of physical suffering, a broken relationship, a period of financial insecurity, a death, or a dark time of discouragement.  It may be a time when we are just surviving and not thriving.  However, the Lord promises to be with us in the valley.  We are to dig wells in our valley.  He also will strengthen us and equip us to march out stronger and prepared to continue to battle for Him.  He gives us hope in our valley.