Thread by @glprater

#GeraldsDevotional
Blessings in the Valleys

Yesterday we read in Psalm 23 about how the Lord is always with us. He provides us with everything that we need, including the strength to carry on even when we think that everything is falling apart. Today we will see how those dark times in the valleys can actually be the

moments when we are blessed the most.

First, it is important for us all to remember that as children of God, He has given us all a very unique and important purpose in His kingdom. The Lord did this before we were even born because He already knew what we would eventually do.

Unfortunately, Satan also knows. He doesn’t know the details of God’s plan for each of us, but Satan already knows how this story is ultimately going to end (it will NOT be good for him or his followers). He wants to deter or to eliminate those of us who are a threat to him.

So he throws horrible problems and trials at us in an effort to make us lose hope and turn away from God.

But remember that the Lord already knows everything including Satan’s plans of attack. The Lord uses those attacks or times in the valley to actually strengthen us in our

faith much more than we were before. We come out as stronger warriors with a better appreciation and understanding of what Psalm 23 is talking about. We come out better prepared for the future attacks and problems that Satan will continue to throw at us. We come out prepared to

encourage others. We begin to see that these attacks are also a great blessing because they serve to confirm our faith.

You see, the attacks of Satan against us demonstrate that he considers us to be a serious threat to his evil kingdom. If he didn’t perceive that the power of

the Lord living through our lives was a serious threat to him, then Satan wouldn’t waste his time trying to stop us. So the absence of any problems at all for us in this world should actually cause us to ask the Lord if we are truly His. Remember that He promised that we would

indeed have problems in this world. Once again, He already knew.

As the Lord woke me up and placed this message on my heart this morning, it occurred to me that it is an important part of my own testimony. Those of you who are familiar with it know that my deepest and darkest

valley was that day many years ago when doctors found that massive tumor in my brain. I perceived it at the time as the worst valley, but now I look back at it as the best blessing that I have ever received. Through it the Lord demonstrated that he was with and had a purpose for

me.

Now let’s read how the half-brother of Jesus describes this at the beginning of James chapter 1.

Profiting from Trials
2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its

perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of

the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. - James 1:2-8

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