April 25, 2010

GOD’S ANTIDOTE FOR DARK VALLEY’S

‘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

I. WHAT TO REMEMBER IN DARK VALLEYS…

A. Valleys Are Inevitable…

‘Man who is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble’ Job 14:1 NKJV

‘For all his days are sorrowful, and his work burdensome; even in the night his heart takes no rest.’ Ecclesiastes 2:23 (NKJV)

‘In this world you will have trouble.’ John 16:33 (NIV)

B. Valley’s Are Unpredictable….

‘Disaster follows disaster… In an instant my tents are destroyed, my shelter falls in a moment.’ Jeremiah 4:20 (LB)

C. Valley’s Are Impartial…

‘(It) rains on the just and the unjust too.’ Matthew 5:45 (LB)

D. Valley’s Are Temporary

‘Even though I walk through the valley…’

‘There is a wonderful joy ahead, even though the going is rough for a while down here.’ I Peter 1:6 (LB)

‘Our troubles are short-lived and their outcome is an eternal glory which outweighs them all.’ 2 Corinthians 4:17 (NEB)

E. Valley’s Are Purposeful

‘…at the present you may be temporarily harassed by all kinds of trials. This is no accident—it happens to prove your faith….’ I Peter 1:6b-7 (Ph)

II. WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU GO THRU DARK VALLEYS?

‘.. I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me..’

A. Refuse To Be Discouraged
‘I will fear no evil’

‘God will strengthen you with his own great power so that you will not give up when troubles come, but you will be patient.’ Col.1:11 (NCV)

B. Remember That God Is With You
‘..For you Are With me…’

‘When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up – the flames will not consume you.’ Isaiah 43:2 (LB)

‘You Are With Me. Your Rod And Your Staff Comfort Me…’

C. Rely On God’s Protection And Guidance….
‘..Your rod and your staff, they comfort me…’

#1) Shadows Are Always Bigger Than Te Reality!!
#2) Shadows Cannot Hurt You
#3) There Is No Shadow Without A Light Somewhere

Jesus… ‘I am the light of the world’

‘The good man does not escape all troubles – he has them too. But the Lord helps him in each and every one.’ Psalm 34:19 (LB)