Is the Valley Forever? - When will life be Good?

Psalm 23:5–6 “5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Intro

story of running with my friend Alex thought to be a 3mile run turned into a 8mile

it can be frustrating when you don’t know the duration/length

Have you ever found yourself wondering; how long will I be in this season? How long will I be single?

How long will I be anxious, depressed?

How long until I get a dream job?

How long until this season ends?

Many of us ask this question when in the valley: God how long is the valley? When will it end? Is it forever?

Psalm 23:4–6 “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. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Is the valley forever? How long? What dictates the duration of our time in the valley?

Sometimes it depends on our own stubbornness and obedience. Israel in the dessert

Other times; it isn’t dependent on our obedience. Paul’s thorn.

God doesn’t give us an exact timeframe and I believe this is wise 1. Because it increases our awar of our dependence on Him and it requires us to walk in faith.

What is promised by God is that for those who follow Him - it will be temporary!

This is a promise exclusive to the believer.

2 Corinthians 4:17 ESV

17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,

Context?

2 Corinthians 4:13–18 ESV

13 Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, 14 knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. 15 For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. 16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

If we live in a broken world will we always experience sin and death? No! Jesus is coming to remake the world. We will experience brokenness this side of heaven but it is temporary.

2 Corinthians 4:17 (ESV)

17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,

not only is God preparing something for us that is yet to come but He is also preparing something for us here and now. What is God preparing for us?

At the end of the valley, Psalm 23:5 “5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”

Enemies “a person who is actively opposed or hostile to someone or something.”

Figurative? Anxiety, Depression, Stress

Literal? If so is it a reference to physical enemies? David had many of those - Goliath, Saul, his own son. Is there someone that you’re at odds with?

Are the enemies spiritual? Ephesians 6:12 “12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”

Psalm 23:5 “5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”

God is preparing a feast for you on the other side of the valley.

2 Samuel 9:7 (ESV)

7 And David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my table always.”

2 Samuel 9:10–11 (ESV)

10 And you and your sons and your servants shall till the land for him and shall bring in the produce, that your master’s grandson may have bread to eat. But Mephibosheth your master’s grandson shall always eat at my table.” Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants. 11 Then Ziba said to the king, “According to all that my lord the king commands his servant, so will your servant do.” So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table, like one of the king’s sons.

2 Samuel 9:13 (ESV)

13 So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he ate always at the king’s table. Now he was lame in both his feet.

2 Samuel 19:28 (ESV)

28 For all my father’s house were but men doomed to death before my lord the king, but you set your servant among those who eat at your table. What further right have I, then, to cry to the king?”

The table is a sign of favor

This is a picture of the gospel - David not only forgives the sons of his enemies but gives them a place at His table.

Often we read psalm 23 as if we’re good and God’s gonna give us a seat at the table to gloat over our enemies - (I don’t believe) but that’s not the picture being described (at least not entirerly). God is showing:

He makes peace for us ( no longer us and them but now all are eating at the table)

He has prepared a table for us - who were His enemies

Romans 5:7–11 “7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”

Anointing head with oil - sign of favor, symbol of gladnes

Hebrews 1:9 “9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.””

2 Corinthians 1:21–22 “21 And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, 22 and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.”

1 John 2:20 “20 But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge.”

Cup overflows - sign of favor/blessing

John 6:13 “13 So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten.”

Jesus is more than enough

if have time be really interesting to contrast this with psalm 78.

Psalm 78:15–20 “15 He split rocks in the wilderness and gave them drink abundantly as from the deep. 16 He made streams come out of the rock and caused waters to flow down like rivers. 17 Yet they sinned still more against him, rebelling against the Most High in the desert. 18 They tested God in their heart by demanding the food they craved. 19 They spoke against God, saying, “Can God spread a table in the wilderness? 20 He struck the rock so that water gushed out and streams overflowed. Can he also give bread or provide meat for his people?””

Psalm 78:21–28 “21 Therefore, when the Lord heard, he was full of wrath; a fire was kindled against Jacob; his anger rose against Israel, 22 because they did not believe in God and did not trust his saving power. 23 Yet he commanded the skies above and opened the doors of heaven, 24 and he rained down on them manna to eat and gave them the grain of heaven. 25 Man ate of the bread of the angels; he sent them food in abundance. 26 He caused the east wind to blow in the heavens, and by his power he led out the south wind; 27 he rained meat on them like dust, winged birds like the sand of the seas; 28 he let them fall in the midst of their camp, all around their dwellings.”

God gives us three signs of favor that follow the valley. 1. Table, 2. Anointing, 3. Cup

But how long is the valley and do we need to wait till heaven to experience escape from the valley? No

Psalm 23:6 “6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Favor follows the valley; but goodness follows us in the valley.

last week, I told you my concern is not that you walk through the valley of shadow of death but that when in the valley, you wouldn’t allow God to lead and guide you.

Why don’t we see God in the valley?

He’s behind us.

Goodness leads us from behind.

Know that yes there is hope for the future and there is hope for today.

Your valley is not forever - but His goodness is!

Psalm 23:6 “6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Psalm 27:4 ESV

4 One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.

Action: Enjoy the goodness of God & allow Him to guide you.

Psalm 27:4 “4 One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.”