The Valley of Death is Real

Ever wondered if the Valley of the Shadow of Death is a real place? (Psalm 23:1) It is a real place, a bit off the beaten path. In the valley, you can learn to move from fear to faith. God promises to give us his peace when we give our worries and fears to him.

This valley is on the road from Jerusalem to Jericho mentioned by Jesus in the Good Samaritan Story. The walls of the valley are steep, and it was well-known that this is the place where robbers and thieves lingered waiting on easy prey. Today, it’s a national park where you can hike, see St. George’s Monastery, and if you’re brave enough, you can walk the Samaritan road.

Fear Tops the List

Fear rises to the top of things with which people struggle. Today, we will take a journey… from fear to faith with the prophet Habakkuk. He challenges us to put our faith into action when things are at their worst.

God had shown Habakkuk that his country was about to be invaded, pillaged, and destroyed. The people would lose everything… job, home, and family. It would all be gone. They would go from freedom to slavery. That is a whole different matter than trusting God though broken pipes, or when you had a bad day at work or school.

This reminds me of a story my son-in-law’s mother told me. Her friend loved playing the violin. She was on a small plane and the pilot informed the passengers there was nothing left to do; the plane was experiencing problems and it was going down. However, she experienced unusual calmness. She was at peace, knowing she would meet God that day. If that’s what is happening, she said to herself, I’m going to praise His name, because that is what I know to do. She got out her violin and began playing. The plane landed safely and she lived to tell this story. Regardless of the situation, God desires to give us peace beyond what seems humanly possible.

Choose to Rejoice

When there is no hope for the future, the present seems bleak, and there is nothing to fall back on, Habakkuk concludes, “Yet, I will rejoice in the Lord. I will be joyful in God my Savior” (Habakkuk 3:18). It is our choice. Like Habakkuk, we must choose to rejoice in God, regardless.

Habakkuk teaches us to find strength in God to scale to the heights even when you are down. He says, “The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights” (Habakkuk 3:19). Habakkuk learned to find his strength in God, not in his own resources or ability. Habakkuk was about to go through some rough times. The thought of it scared him. Yet, as he rejoiced in God, he found new strength.

What is this strength that God gives us? Habakkuk paints the picture of a female deer running on the heights of the mountains: steady, surefooted, unafraid, and full of confidence. We can feel secure and confident that God has our back. God loves us and desires for us to trust Him. Because he is God, a savior who will deliver us… in his time. He will lift us up when we commit to, “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances…” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

I pray for God’s help as you begin the journey from fear to faith. Come honestly to God with your questions. He promises to give you peace if you give your worries and fears to him. Take the journey from the place described in Psalm 23:1 to the Mountain Top of Faith.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

—Philippians 4:6-7

© 2019 Chuck Locklear All rights reserved

Also, see Love and Faith Go Hand-in-hand.