Thanking Through It

Psalm 124:1–8 (NIV): 1 If the LORD had not been on our side— let Israel say— 2 if the LORD had not been on our side when people attacked us, 3 they would have swallowed us alive when their anger flared against us; 4 the flood would have engulfed us, the torrent would have swept over us, 5 the raging waters would have swept us away.

6 Praise be to the LORD, who has not let us be torn by their teeth. 7 We have escaped like a bird from the fowler’s snare; the snare has been broken, and we have escaped. 8 Our help is in the name of the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Psalm 84:5–7 (NIV): 5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. 6 As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. 7 They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.

Hebrews 11:10 (ESV): 10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.

*On this Pilgrimage we experience joys and sorrows; mountain top peaks and valleys of defeat; smooth and straight roads and rough and dangerous terrain.

*Plainly put, The Christian life isn’t always SMOOTH SAILING!

Psalms 34:19 19 The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all;

*Greatest misconception about faith, that we can take this journey without any difficulties.

TRUTH: Regardless of our person, position, or possession, we all pass through the valley of Baca at one time or another.

*What is the Valley of Baca? {the Hebrew word BACA means, “Weeping, Sorrow, Bitterness”

There are 3 valleys we experience in the pilgrimage of faith.

    1. The Valley of Testing.
  1. You can’t have a testimony without a test.

Those in the bible who faces great test.

  1. Abraham was tested by God.
  2. Joseph was tested by imprisonment
  3. Jesus was tested I the desert by the devil. (in testing use the Bible, Thus Says The WORD)
  4. The Early church was tested by persecution.
  5. Paul was tested in prison by Rome.
  1. We need to remember how God uses times of testing.
  1. To develop our character. God doesn’t merely work around us, He’s works within us.
  2. In other words, God’s not working on your situation, He’s Actually Working On You. James 1:2–4 (NIV): 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
  3. The Valley of Tragedy.

• The answer when sin entered the world Death entered as well. The world is imperfect. Even with all the technology, science and advancement in medicine the world remain imperfect and none of us are exempts from probabilities of this life. Jesus said John 16:33 (ESV): 33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” In the midst God is present and available to redeem and save. *Life may be Bad, but God is always GOOD! *

  1. The Valley of Temptation. Temptation is a reality everyone faces, yet we can be victorious in Christ. 1 Cor. 10:13

** HOW DO I DEAL WITH FAILURE AND BOUNCE BACK?**

    1. Failure comes in two forms:
  1. Moral Failures: David Psalm 51
  2. Ministry Failure: Peter John 21
    1. Failure is not Final! Micah 7:18 Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.

1 john 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

    1. How do we maintain our motivation when we were in the valley?

The Psalmist gives us the key, “They make it a place of springs… they go from strength to strength” Psm 84:6-7