Thurs. APRIL. 25th. 2024.
“And the LORD was with Judah; and he drave out the inhabitants of the mountain; but could not drive out the inhabitants of the valley, because they had chariots of iron.” Judg. 1:11.
Surrounded by mountainous walls, the level floors of valleys are good places for battles and good places for bandits to attack careless travelers. We much prefer the bright, clear mountaintops of life–but there can be no mountains without valleys in between. God was with David in the Valley of Elah where the shadows of death were cast by the giant Goliath–and led him through to victory! You can’t avoid the valleys of life. But when you enter one, make sure God is with you so His rod and staff can comfort you. More of life is lived in valleys than on mountaintops, so more of life will be a challenge to our faith.
Spiritual warfare is real, The valley is a place where your faith is called to test and it’s in those low times when we’re weary and worn that the devil pounces. No matter how dark it gets, we will have victory in the valley when we trust the Lord to fight for us. It’s incredibly frightening to be unable to see the joy that lies beyond the pain of our current challenges. So we need to be armed for battle, alert to how our nemesis operates, and ask the Lord to enlighten our darkness. The scriptures in our text says Israel was able to defeat the enemies in the mountains but couldn’t defeat those in the valley, because they had chariots of iron. I can imagine how it is to face challenges that are iron-like by nature.
The Psalmist however says in Psa. 23:4 “Even when I must walk through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff reassure me.” David was indeed speaking from a practical experience he had with Goliath in the valley. This giant was cursing him and threatening to feed his flesh to the animals. No one else was brave enough to step foot on that battlefield except for David, a little shepherd boy. He wasn’t trained for battle, but David was loyal to the Lord, passionate for his glory, and he was confident in his word. That is all you need, trust me. Arm yourself with this kind of resolve, you will come out of every valley, smiling because God will fight for you and you will hold your peace.
FURTHER READING:
“The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelites another, with the valley between them.” 1 Sam. 17:3.
“For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land —a land with brooks, streams, and deep springs gushing out into the valleys and hills;” Deut. 8:7.
DECLARATION:
Dear Abba Father, I thank You today for the mercies and grace that I have received from You Lord. I declare today that I earn a resounding victory over every area of my life. I command every enemy in the mountains and valleys of my life to be brought down. I declare the hand of the Lord is mighty upon me therefore I win in my life and destiny, let no man be able to prevail over me in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Job. 24:1-25.
Job. 25:1-6.
Job. 26:1-14.
Job. 27:1-23.
QUOTE FOR THE DAY:
“Where There Is Unity In The Spirit There Is Enduring Victory.”
The Fortress Int’l Church, 2 Floor 10 Coker Road, Opposite Chicken Republic Ilupeju Lagos, Nigeria.
email: info@thefortresschurch.com.
