The Valley of Decision
In John Bunyan’s book, Pilgrim’s Progress, the pilgrim, named Christian, entered the fearful Valley of the Shadow of Death. When he is in the middle of the Valley surrounded by gloom, terror and demons, he hears the words of the Twenty-third Psalm, spoken possibly by his friend Faithful: “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.” As he leaves this valley the sun rises on a new dayValleys are low places between two higher places. One goes down into the valley. Geographically it is called a depression in the formation of the earth. From this definition, the word “valley” has also become a metaphor for difficult times, emotional depression and being spiritually down. It is important to note that the psalmist says that he passes through the valley. It is not where he would stay. When Lot separated from Abraham, he went to the Jordon Valley. At first, the valley was attractive. It offered abundance and comfort, but as he made his home there, his soul became tormented because of the evil of the place. Angels were sent to deliver Lot and his family and brought them once again to the mountains.
The most important decisions are made while one is in the valley. Are you going to stay in depression, or go on? Are you going stay defeated, or are you going to get back up and try again? Are you going to remain paralyzed by fears and doubts, or are you going to rise up in faith. The prophet Joel says: “Multitudes, multitudes, in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.” (Joel 3.14) Your decisions will determine your future. Choose to leave the place of temptation, the place of defeat and climb to you high places. David says: “He made my feet like the feet of a deer and set me secure on my heights.” (Ps. 18.33)
Don’t make a friend of your valley. Don’t spend time with self-pity and despair. The valley is destined for destruction. Death will be swallowed up in victory. Depression will be no more. Fear is condemned to eternal damnation. When the day of the Lord will come, every valley will be filled up, every mountain will be made low, and the crooked paths will become straight. (Luke 3.5) The valley is a passage not a destination. In whatever valley you may be going through, be assured, the Lord is with you. When the pilgrim, Christian, left the valley of the shadow of death, his friend Faithful was there to meet him.
In the valley, we are to look to the Lord, not others. Our decisions cannot be made based on the opinions of others, but on the will of God. Only the Lord can get us out of depression. You may think your friends have forsaken you, but they are waiting for you on the other side. It is God you need now. It is the Lord who will lift you up on his shoulders and carry you to the higher ground. Remember, He has made your feet like the feet of a deer. Your Faithful friends are the ones who have also gone through their valleys and come out on the other side in victory. They are the ones who made the right decisions and are following the Lord. Those in the valley may comfort and pity you, but they cannot help you. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble.” (Psalms 46.1)
Scriptures to meditate on:
Psalms 18.33; 23.4; 84.6; Joel 3.14; Ez. 34.26; Luke 3.5;