SERIES: THE VALLEYS OF LIFE
TEXT: GENESIS 26:17-19
Many people when they come to the valleys of life, set up camp and plan on staying there or they will do little to get out of it. God never intends for us to stay in these valleys but learn from them and move on.
Isaac finds himself in the valley of Gerar-It was a Philistine town and Gerar meant “lodging place.”
Let us look at how the Lord provided for Isaac. I have called this valley, “The valley of grace”-
THE PROMISE IN THE VALLEY.
The promise of God’s commitment-1st 6:17.
- One of the traps of wealth is that it gives rich people a false sense of security and power.
- Their money can buy most things, protect them for some problems and smooth their way through life.
- Poor people tend to turn to God, rich people turn to gold.
- Money though has a way of disappearing.
- The person who has plenty of money is in danger of leaving God out of his thoughts.
- All good things come from God, but we must put our trust in the giver and not the gift.
- Whether it be money, good health, happy family life and anything else.
- James 1:17, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”
- There is no variation with God or any inconsistency in God’s character.
- He always does what is right and best although, as Isaac tells us, his point of view is quite different from ours.
- God is too loving to be unkind, too wise to make mistakes and too powerful to be hindered. He can be trusted absolutely.
The promise of God’s presence-Matt. 28:20.
- When is Christ with us? He is with us all the time-Heb. 13:5.
- Valleys continually remind us of God’s grace, how amazing it is, how sufficient it is. God has promised us grace for every trial and grace for every step we take along life’s road.
The promise of God’s forgiveness-Rom. 5:20.
- Paul tells us that the lost sinner is under a mountain of sin-“Sin abounds in abundance.”
- Finally the end of sin is death.
- But the apostle Paul tells us that where sin abounds, where sin is above measure, to overflow, God’s grace is multiplied.
- Sin abounded, but God’s grace is multiplied.
THE PRODUCT OF THE VALLEY-GRACE.
There is grace for saving-Rom. 3:24.
- This verse introduces us to two great theological words “Justify” and “redemption.”
- The word “justify” means “to declare one not guilty or to make one as he ought to be.”
- God in His grace declares us to be righteous and worthy of a relationship with Him.
- The word “redemption” means “to be set at liberty after the payment of a ransom price.”
- When we received Jesus Christ as our Savior, God applied the price that Jesus had paid on the cross to our account and declared us righteous.
- He freed us from the condemnation and the consequences of sins.
- The righteousness of God is imputed on us-what a blessing.
There is grace for living-Titus 2:11-12.
- The grace of God is a teacher. It teaches us to avoid sin.
- It teaches us to deny ungodliness-anything that does not glorify God.
- This denying of ungodliness is the acid test of genuine conversion-2nd 5:17.
- John Newton had lived a godless life in the high seas in slave trade.
- John Newton was forever running away from God, but was forever pursued by the prayers of his loved ones.
- God by His grace saved John Newton during a terrible storm at sea and was instantly transformed.
- He became a minister of the gospel and never forgot how much he owed to the grace of God-Amazing grace, how sweet the sound.
- Denying worldly lusts-unfortunately when we are saved we are not translated immediately to glory-we are left in this world of sin so that we ourselves might grow in grace and increase in the knowledge of God-Col. 1:1-10.
- God’s grace teaches us to turn our backs on the desire of the world because it is an enemy of grace-James 4:4.
- The world is the devil’s liar for sinners and his lure for saints.
- This world killed our savior and had persecuted godly people sin the day of cain.
- This world cannot rob us of our salvation but it can rob us of assurance, peace and joy.
- It can rob us of our testimony and reward.
- Grace teaches the positive side of Christian living.
- Live soberly-our character when we are alone.
- This is to exercise self-control over passions and desires that are native to our hearts so that we might be more like Jesus.
- Live righteously-we are to do right at all times at all cost and on all accounts.
- We are to do what we promise. We are to take a stand for what is right.
- Live godly-we are to be like Jesus in this present world.
- Grace will teach you how to live.
- There is grace for dying-Phi. 1:21-23.
- Paul was in a “strait”-he lived like a prisoner in his world. His body was here on earth, but his heart was in heaven.
- He longed for the life of heaven.
- He wanted to “defeat”-like a sailor he wanted to sail out. Like a farmer he wanted to unyoke the oxen at the end of finished task of ploughing.
- Like soldiers taking down the tents to de-camp.
- Paul longed to be “with Christ”-he said it was “far better”-1st 4:16-17.
- Paul longed for his tears to be wiped away-Rev. 21:4.
- Paul looked forward to eternity-1st 2:9.
CONCLUSION
- The valley of grace is wonderful, we ought to live in the grace of God.
- God’s grace is free. God’s grace is for our growth and God’s presence.
- God’s grace is sufficient-Amen
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Rev, Dr. Willy Mutiso is the Senior Pastor at First Baptist Athiriver. He is widely known for his practical and dynamic teaching style which helps people apply the timeless truths of Scripture to their everyday lives.
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