Isaiah 51:3 For the Lord shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.
4 Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation: for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light of the people.
5 My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust…
11 Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.
12 I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass;
13 And forgettest the Lord thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth;
Sometimes along this journey of life we seem to fall into a desert or dark valley. I would like to tell you that as a Christian this can never happen; but, then I would be lying. I have passed through some very dark valleys in my life that felt so barren at times that I cried out to God with such a longing. I did not know how to put one foot in front of the other or how to survive. I felt burdened even further by the guilt that perhaps all of the long desert time was punishment for sins and therefore I needed to continue marching forward like a dutiful little Christian carrying my cross. Little did I realize then that the deserts and valleys of my life were gifts of love from God. He needed me to see His hand guiding my every step. His purpose was to bring me to a place of full Joy in Him. That Joy could not be found until I let go of the guilt, the pride, and the counterfeit joys that I sought after with all my heart. Do Valleys and Deserts still arise before me in this journey, certainly; but there is a difference now in how I view them. If I see them as a stepping stone to bring me closer to God and I realize that He is there with me to show me the way and to help me to become more like Him; then joy remains (not a giddy fake laughter; but a true joy that cannot be destroyed by the tears) This is a peace and hope in God’s grace, including His future Grace. This is a joy built out of faith in the one who will sustain me and holds me in the palm of His hand. This is in the understanding of His perfect, unconditional love for me that makes "all things work together for my good." This was a poem I wrote for my book Mountaintop Experiences in the Valley and I hope it brings you hope if it is a desert or valley you are facing today.
GIVE ME THIS VALLEY
I cried, Lord, please help me climb
This mountain so sublime
Full of health and wealth and fame
Surely there I’d praise your name
But I heard a whispering voice
Said, “for you that’s not my choice”
I want you in this valley deep
Where your joy my heart will keep
Lord, you can take that mountain high
And let me stay here by your side
In this valley filled with pain
Where I know you know my name
Give me a life where I might live
Dependent on the Grace you give
I’d rather be here by your side
Than on that great mountainside
Give me the faith and hope that’s yours
As your spirit through me pours
To a world in need of you
Give me strength for them to view
Let me show the Glory of Your Hope
Far from that slippery slope
In the valley where you stand
Let me walk and hold your hand
Though the Valley may be dark
You’re the light, my precious spark
You are all I need to know
Let me walk now here below
Give me the love of your great smile
That casts aside my selfish guile
Remove my thoughts of selfish pity
Your heart I might see clearly
You are the only one I need
For my soul you have freed
By the valley that you walked
To the cross where you were mocked
So let me walk this valley too
Where there your heart I knew
Keep your mountains filled with pride
Let me stay here at your side.
I hope also this song is a comfort to you, so beautifully sung by Larnelle Harris