THE VALLEY

INTRODUCTION

There is something about the VALLEY. Life’s battles are won or lost in the valley. It would seem that all our fighting’s are in the valley and that we can only live on the mountain top after victory in the valley. It’s like, if you don’t win your battles in the valley, then you’ll not live on the mountain top. Battles are fought and won or fought and lost in the valley.

A valley is a depression between mountains, a broad plain or plateau.

DIFFERENT VALLEY

Scriptures make mention of a few valley’s, there is:

I. THE VALLEY OF SIDDIM – GEN. 14:10

This is the valley of the slime pits. This is a valley where sin abounds. This represents a valley in our lives, The Valley of Sin. Romans 6:1-2. Yes, sin has a Valley. Living in sin is not living on the mountain top, no matter what it purports.

II. THE VALLEY OF ESCHOL – NUM. 13:23-24

Eschol is where the Jews made the decision of the life. "Shall we go forward or shall we go backward?" "Shall we obey God, or shall we go back into the wilderness?" The valley of Eschol is the Valley of Decision! It can also be called THE VALLEY OF LOSS OF REWARD.

Making Life’s Decisions has a Valley – Joel 3:14. In this Valley the decision you make will determine where you spend your eternal life

III. THE VALLEY OF KIDRON -

This valley is also called the Valley of Jehoshaphat. It is the valley between Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives. Many have suffered in this valley. Many are buried there. So this could be called the Valley of Suffering. The hardship and tribulation of life has a Valley.

IV. THE VALLEY OF ELAH – 1 SAM. 17:3

David defeated Goliath in the valley

This is called the Valley of Battle. David with his sling-shot met Goliath in this valley. Thank the Lord for His presence in this valley. He is the captain of our army and He never loses a battle.

This is the valley where you contend for the faith that was given to you concerning your destiny. David acted this out. He was the promised Sheppard of Israel. The prophesied king of Israel. So, he stood in faith and acted in faith. After David won this battle his Career in being a warrior-soldier was started.

V. THE VALLEY OF ACHOR – JOS. 7:24

This is the Valley of Punishment. Here Achan was stoned to death. Even in the valley of chastening the Lord is still there. This can also be called THE VALLEY OF DISCIPLINE.

Whenever you mess up, you may feel like you’re in a valley, a low place. God will often chastise us and put us in low place.

VI. THE VALLEY OF JEZREEL

This is where the armies of the world will be gathered for the great end-time battle of Armageddon. It is in this valley the Anti-Christ and his armies shall declare war against Heaven. Then Christ shall descend from Heaven with His army to destroy the Anti-Christ and his army. WOW! Even the last battle between Christ and the devil will be fought in a valley.

But for us this can be called The Valley of Worldly Opposition. In a way, the Anti-Christ is already present and is fighting against us.

VII. THE VALLEY OF HINNOM

VIII. THE VALLEY OF DRY BONES – EZEK. 37

So many people are filled with dryness, death in their lives.

VIII. THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OFDEATH – PS. 23:4

X. VALLEY OF TROUBLE – HOS. 2:15

THE BACCA VALLEY TO THE BERACHAH VALLEY

But the two valley we are talking about today is the BACCA VALLEY to THE BERACHAH VALLEY.

BERACHAH means, BLESSINGS. 2 Chron 20:26

However, this blessing came after they sang praises God. This valley got it’s name as a result of praises being sang to God. In this valley the enemies fought themselves and destroyed themselves because of praising God for a prophetic release. This valley was changed from a valley of destruction to a valley of blessing. PRAISE HIM!

But before we get to BERACHAH we must pass through BACCA.

The word, "Baca means:

"BACA" MEANS:

v "Weeping." Sin brings "weeping" and "sorrow."

v Affliction

v A dry place and the most dreaded section of a journey

v Used poetically as a symbol of the painful experiences of our journey through life.

v Baca stands for the "world."—Filled with crying.

v Baca stands for "sorrow."—Broken hearts everywhere.

This is the condition of life that we are passing through on a daily basis. As we do so with the presence of God, we’ll change the conditions of life as it pertains to us. However, this only occurs as we PASS THROUGH in HIS PRESENCE. We must pass through weeping to joy.

ü The scriptures say that we must pass through this valley not live in this valley.

ü Many have set up tent in Bacca.

§ This is the spirit of rebellion.

§ People who set up tents in Bacca, loves the world and is an enemy of God.

ü This is often the case because the requirements to pass through this valley are astute, challenging and life demanding.

ü People who don’t live in the presence of God or with God-consciousness often gets stuck in the valley and continuously cries out for help.

Don’t stuck in BACCA because of lust or pride or money or anything. Live in his presence where there is fulness of Joy.

Happiness: Joy and praise (v. 4b).

Those who abide in God’s presence:

v experience genuine happiness.

v Full blessing.

v Continuous fellowship with God’s presence

v They are fulfilled,

📷 whole,

📷 content, and

📷 filled with the joy of the Lord.

v They praise God continually.

📷 Praise is an imperfect Hebrew verb, meaning that their praise is never complete or finished.

Strength: Given to you when you set your heart on seeking God’s presence (v. 5).

Those who are blessed to abide in God’s presence find their strength in Him.

“In whose heart are the ways of them” refers to the Jews who journeyed up to Zion to worship in God’s house. Ways (mesillah) means highways or public roads (Jdg. 20:31).

They find strength:

v In their hearts to travel to Jerusalem to worship were truly set on seeking God’s presence.

v To travel many miles in difficult conditions.

v For the journey in the joy they would experience when they reached Zion and basked in the Lord’s presence (Heb. 12:2).

Comfort: A refreshed and renewed spirit—even when you pass through the valley of weeping (Baca) (v. 6).

v Baca represents the trials and troubles of life, the painful experiences that cause us to weep.

v God’s presence comforts us in this valley, refreshing and renewing our spirits in the worst times. As we praise him.

v His presence empowers us to make it a well, that is, to turn our most trying times into experiences of spiritual refreshing and joy.

v When we make pools in life’s deserts, the Lord will fill them with the heavenly rain of His presence.

Sustaining power: Growing stronger through life’s pilgrimage—until you appear before Him (v. 7).

v Those who abide in God’s presence are not only comforted but also sustained throughout their lives.

v They go from strength to strength, growing ever stronger through life’s pilgrimage until they appear before God in Zion (Job 17:9; Isa. 40:31).

v In every difficult place, they find the strength they need to persevere and continue on.

v As they near the end of their journey, their capacity to endure actually increases instead of decreasing the longer they travel.

v God’s presence energizes them along the way (Jn. 1:16).[1]

AFTER THE VALLEY EXPERIENCE THEY:

v Keep a praying attitude —"Hear my prayer"—Verse 8.

v Remain steadfast and faithful, regardless of low positions in the house of God —"Rather be doorkeeper." —Verse 10.

v Are protected —"God is a sun and shield."—Verse 11.

v Are pure and clean. They walk/live upright. —"Walk uprightly"—Verse 11.

FILLED IN VALLEY

Because God is the one on our side, all our valley will be filled in with his abundant provision.

Luke 3:5 (ICB) 5 Every valley should be filled in/elevated. Every mountain and hill should be made flat/ levelled. Roads with turns should be made straight, and rough roads should be made smooth.

CONCLUSION

· The saints’ journey to Jerusalem is a picture of our journey through life.

· We are strangers and pilgrims in this world; it is not our true home (Heb. 11:13; 1 Pet. 2:11; Phil. 3:20).

· We are on our way to a better country, heaven, where we will live eternally in God’s presence (Heb. 11:14-16).

· The journey is filled with many dangers—both temptations and trials—and is often difficult and exhausting.

· Nevertheless, we are blessed along the way, for the Lord’s presence is always with us (Heb. 13:5; Mt. 28:20).

· As a result, the journey is a happy one, filled with joy and praise (Ps. 16:11).

· We are given divine strength for every mile of every day (Isa. 40:31; Phil. 4:13).

· When we have to pass through a valley of tears, God Himself comforts us, refreshing us and renewing our spirits (2 Cor. 1:3-5; 4:16).

· Though we sometimes become tired, our endurance increases as we grow in grace and Christian maturity (2 Pet. 3:18; Eph. 4:15; 2 Thess. 1:3; Jude 20).

· The burdens of the journey seem lighter as the glory of our destination comes into view (2 Cor. 4:17-18).[2]

The Valley of Hell

VII. THE VALLEY OF GEHENNA

Gehenna was the garbage dump of Jerusalem. In this valley there was a fire that burned at all times. When our Lord spoke about hell. He said there shall be an "Eternal Gehenna."[3]

Hell fire, is liken unto a valley. No man will escape from this valley. One must make it their plan not to enter this valley. There is no redemption.

[1] Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible - Commentary - Psalms II.

[2] Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible - Commentary - Psalms II.

[3] Golden Nuggets - Volume 12.