“THE VALLEY OF DECISION”
By Pastor Mark Taylor
“Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.” (Joel 3:14)
It is natural for everyone, everywhere, during their lives to be in the valleys of hard times in their life. In other times they may be on the mountain tops of victory, renewal and rest. Mountains and valleys are connected and it is important to understand how the personal mountains and valleys of life are important to you. As Christians and children of God, it is His will that we make good decisions in the valleys of life and enjoy more mountain top experiences.
The mountain top experiences are where you appreciate what you have and you reflect on what is important. It is the place where you have reached a goal and you achieved success. It is a place we all what to be. It is a place of contentment and peace. A mountain is not a place to escape reality, but a healthy place to just relax and rest, pray, reflect, trust, and be thankful for what God has given you. Our Lord often went to the mountain to spend time with His Heavenly Father. “And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray.” (Matthew 14:23).
Moving from a valley to a mountain requires that you make good decisions and plant good seeds so you will have a good harvest. When someone gets ready to plant a new crop it is important to remove the weeds and things from the past seasons. "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” (Ezekiel 36:26). The good seeds will not grow if your heart is not right. Make sure you have a real relationship with the Lord Jesus, and that you are not just playing church. Ask the Lord to “give you a new heart”.
Nothing is more exciting than leaving the valley and moving to the mountain. But you can’t get to the mountain without leaving some things behind. You can get out of a valley sooner, when you manage to get outside of yourself. Bitterness and unforgiveness are to heavy to carry with you on this trip. When you get to your mountain top you will find love and peace which will replace those things you left behind in the valley.
Whether you are in the valley or on your way to the mountain top, it is important that you follow the Lord’s example of doing good. Don’t stop doing good things just because you are in a valley. Don’t stop coming to Church. Don’t stop giving to God’s work. Don’t stop using your gifts and abilities to serve the Lord Jesus.
“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” (Galatians 6:9-10). For every act of kindness and love given, a life of love will be returned. For each seed of encouragement given to another, encouragement will return. “Cast your bread upon the waters, For you will find it after many days.” (Ecclesiastes 11:1). Good decisions and being good to others will get you out of the valley and bring you to the next mountain quicker.
To get to the mountain top more quickly and experience and feel the presence of God, we must put time and effort into walking out of the valley. We have to spend time reading the Bible and listening to tapes and programs that lift up the Lord. “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)
A sensible vision is like looking at a map. It is a practical way to help you get where you want to go. You need to read, memorize, and pray verses like this one: “Jesus said to him, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes." (Mark 9:23). Some people have a “fearful” vision that they see and it keeps them from achieving the things in life they want to accomplish. You are always creating a vision of your future whether you are aware of it or not. It is either a fearful vision, or a faith vision. And it’s just a question of which vision you follow. A personal mountain is a victory over fear. Fear blocks you, but the truth helps you succeed. “I will lift up my eyes to the hills From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1-2)
Each day is given to us a new opportunity to move out of your valley. Each day is an opportunity to move forward to a mountain top. The thoughts, deeds, dreams, and efforts of today will provide tomorrow’s trip out of the valley. To neglect the opportunity given to us today, will delay our reaching the next mountain top.. There will be no better time to begin than at this current moment. If you are in the “Valley of Decision”, it is time to make the decision to move forward.
You have to make the right decisions when you are in the valley if you want to get the right results in the future. Many people are in the “Valley of Decision”. The problem is that they continue to make the wrong choices, over and over again. Learn from your experiences in your valley as you leave it. Try not to repeat the things that brought you into this valley. If you are not sure why things are not going right for you, get Godly counsel and listen to preachers and other speakers about finding out God’s way of doing things that will bring you success. Read books and listen to CD’s from people who have been in the valley and were able to walk out and head to the mountain top.
Today you may be in a “Valley of Decision”. What you do in your valley of decision is up to you. The Lord Jesus wants to help you and be your partner, your friend, and your Savior. Take some time visiting with Him in His Word and in His presence in prayer. He is waiting for you on the mountain top.
