Mountains and Valleys

God in the Highs and Lows

We all love mountain top experiences.

Ft. Sill ruck march

Pulling a line.

Pro of mountain tops

Line of sight

Fresh Air

Low crowds

Cons of mountain tops

Thin air

Not a lot of food available

Can get lonely

Why do we desire mountain top experiences?

Why should we desire the valley as much as the mountain?

1. The Climb is Slow and Lonely

Mark 1:9–10 NLT

One day Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River. As Jesus came up out of the water, he saw the heavens splitting apart and the Holy Spirit descending on him like a dove.

For 30 yrs Jesus was being faithful with no attention.

Preparation precedes blessing

You can go on a hike without preparing

Running a marathon, hiking the GC without training

Consistency is the only way to get to the top

2. The Stay is Short

Mark 1:11 NLT

And a voice from heaven said, “You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.”

This is the part we all want right? The recognition.

Here is where all the hard work, late nights, sacrifice, and dedication paid off.

It’s worth it, but don’t get too comfortable.

It’s not realistic to stay here.

3. The Valley Comes Fast

Mark 1:12–13 NLT

The Spirit then compelled Jesus to go into the wilderness, where he was tempted by Satan for forty days. He was out among the wild animals, and angels took care of him.

The mountains prepare us for the valleys.

Jesus had 2 min on the mountain then went into the harsh wilderness.

We have all had those times where we felt on top of the world for like 2 min

The mountains between the valleys keep us going

They help us see and give us hope.

Satan knows that the mountain is more attractive than the valley.

Matthew 4:8–11 NLT

Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.” “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’” Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.

The mountain is often where we forget about God.

The valley is where you find Him.

4. The Valley’s Are To Help Not Hurt

There is something special about valley’s that we don’t always think of.

Nutrients, cover, community, abundance

Remind us that God is always in control

1 Kings 20:23 NLT

After their defeat, Ben-hadad’s officers said to him, “The Israelite gods are gods of the hills; that is why they won. But we can beat them easily on the plains.

1 Kings 20:28 NLT

Then the man of God went to the king of Israel and said, “This is what the Lord says: The Arameans have said, ‘The Lord is a god of the hills and not of the plains.’ So I will defeat this vast army for you. Then you will know that I am the Lord.”

God took that personal.

So often we go through life thinking God is mad at us because we go through a valley

The mountain is grace, the valley is growth.

It is impossible to stay in one place forever.

The valley grows up for the mountain.

The valley is longer than the mountain.

The mountain will destroy you without the valley.

God is more concerned with our growth than our reputation.

God knows our growth will build our reputation and hep us sustain it.