But the land that you are going over to possess is a land of hills and valleys, which drinks water by the rain from heaven, a land that the Lord your God cares for. The eyes of the Lord your God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year to the end of the year. Deuteronomy 11:11-12 ESV
O God, not only is Your creation strewn with hills and valleys, life itself flows with an unending series of hills and valleys. The hills which produce joy and peace. The valleys which generate struggle and sorrow. In each circumstance, whether high or low, You are there.
2017 abounded with hills and valleys. The hills of overflowing joy—the birth of a new grandson, the treasure of long term friendships, the fun of vacations with friends and loved ones. Yet deep valleys unfolded as well—all the unanswered prayers, the incomprehensible death of a young mom and friend, the sorrow of saying goodbye to dear family, knowing it will be months until I see them again.
2018 has burst forth with unexpected valleys—a sudden illness and hospitalization for my husband, concern over insurance and financial issues, living and planning with an unknown schedule ahead due to the upcoming surgery for a family member, even the dog requiring an urgent trip to the vet. Having to trust You each day when the way forward looms with uncertainty and unclarity.
Father, for me, the unknown valley is my most challenging dwelling place. That season of life when I can’t envision the path ahead but must completely trust your good plans for my future.
The valley where uncertainties and questions continually circle through my mind. I want to know–
what will this valley will require of me,
how long will it last,
how difficult will it really be,
what will the end look like?
The unknown requires faith and somedays my faith is so small.
So much I do not know, yet I do know You. I know our history together.
Through the many traveled valleys of my life You have proven faithful, trustworthy, good.
Your presence with me has been constant, unchanging, encouraging.
As 2018 marches forward, hills and valleys will continue to suddenly pop up in my life. May I daily trust Your presence to strengthen and guide me as I traverse this journey of faith with You.
In the name of the one who will never leave or forsake me,
Amen.
For further prayer and meditation:
What joy for those whose strength comes from the Lord, who have set their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of refreshing springs. The autumn rains will clothe it with blessings. They will continue to grow stronger, and each of them will appear before God in Jerusalem. Psalm 84:5-7 NLT
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4 ESV
I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. Psalm 121:1-4 ESV
“Hills and Valleys” by Tauren Wells
