24
Apr '24
April 24, 2024
24
Apr '24
It is wonderful to be on the mountaintop when I’m in the middle of a praise song, or when my youngest grandchild tries to roll over to face his “bubba,” or when a carefully prepared meal turns out perfectly. But grab your phone and take a picture-quick! Because we all know that precious moment is not going to last. And I must admit that knowledge sometimes prevents me from fully enjoying the view. I think to myself, “how bad is it going to be in the valley?”
Even when the way goes through Death Valley,
I’m not afraid when you walk at my side.
Your trusty shepherd’s crook makes me feel secure. (Psalm 23)
There is a powerful statement, “We may enjoy God on the mountaintops, but we get to know Him in the valleys.” Because the Shepherd is with us our faith grows stronger in defeats than in victories, in trials than in successes, in doubts than in certainty, more in sorrow than joy. Why? Because we need him and let him be our Shepherd then. Many pastors admit they like doing funerals more than weddings. Why? Because in weddings joy often fills every space but in funerals, we need God to fill the empty space. He’s on the mountaintop alright but most importantly, the Shepherd is in the valley.
Pastor Andy