I Made It: Joy in the ValleySample

Day 1:

“Been a long year,

Cried some hard tears,

On some dark nights.

Tried to pray through,

Nothing seemed to,

Make the wrongs right.”

While we pray that you can’t relate to our lyrics here - chances are that if you have been dwelling on this earth for any sort of time - you probably can. These lyrics are the reality of our last year - a year marked by disappointment, grief, confusion, and longing for the Lord to answer. And maybe today, you find yourself in that exact same position.

If you do find yourself in a bit of despair and isolation - you’re in good company. Not only have we walked this road - but plenty of our heroes throughout scripture have too - and even our own Lord and Savior was a “man of sorrows” and well acquainted with grief. But for today, we want to focus on the prayers of David throughout the Psalms and the promises that we have for a future in heaven.

Psalm 23, one of the most popular passages of scripture that David pens, is a comfort to us in our own times of dark valleys and restless nights.

He wrote, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever,” (v.4-6 NIV).

We don’t know about you, but whenever we are faced with dark valleys, our gut reaction is fear. And yet, David declares here that he will fear no evil, instead trusting in the comfort of the Lord.

How is this possible? How is David able to do this? We can point to his history with God.

When you have history with the Lord, you can look back on those moments to give you faith in the present.

Take us for example! There was a time in our lives that we had given up on music completely. Our dreams had shattered in front of us and we were left with nothing but grief. Yet, the Lord restored so many of those dreams to us in more exceedingly and abundant ways than we ever could have imagined. Remembering what God has done in the past can help us to remember that if He led us through that dark valley - He can do it again!!

Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose,” (NIV). We find so much comfort in this verse that God loves us and is working for our good and His glory! What a kind and loving God we serve.

Take a moment today to reflect on your history with the Lord. Where have you seen Him show up in your life (even if it feels like it’s been a while)? Has He answered any of your small prayers lately? Where has He responded to your bigger prayers in the past?

This reflection makes all the difference as you learn to navigate the darkest valleys in life! We pray it points you back to the hope that is found in the goodness and mercy of the Lord (that will follow you all the days of your life!).

Go in peace, friends! Amen.