Wednesday Sermon by Rev, DR. Willy Mutiso

VALLEYS OF LIFE

https://anchor.fm/first-baptist-athi/episodes/THE-VALLEYS-OF-LIFE-e1tm4af

SERIES: THE VALLEYS OF LIFE

TEXT: JOB 1:1-3:3

 

There will be many times in our Christian life and walk when we head into a valley. But what is a valley? Why is it there and how do we cope with it? The story of Job; is the worst case sceneries found in the Bible concerning trials in the Christian life. Everything that could go wrong in Job’s life went wrong. However, in the life of Job we find comfort and help concerning the trials that we endure in this life.

Job was a godly man-1:1. But in one day he lost all his possessions. He lost all his children, his health, support from his wife was also lost. He lost his position and fame.

Job did not even receive any comfort from his friends. Job was in a valley that just got deeper and deeper. In this series of messages let us try to understand the valleys of life. Remember trials and troubles are not necessary a sign of divine displeasure but rather something allowed by God for our good and His glory.

Job had more problems than the wicked people around him. David had problems yet he was a man loved of God, a man after Gods’ own heart (David=beloved). Paul the greatest of the apostles had a lot of trouble. Valleys of life have both positive and negative effects. Let us learn:-

THE NEGATIVE ASPECTS OF THE VALLEYS OF LIFE.

Valleys are valleys, no matter what sort they are-Job 1:20.

  • When you are in a valley, you are in a valley.
  • God looked from heaven to see how job would react in response to the lose of wealth and children.
  • Job expressed grief and there is nothing wrong in expressing grief.
  • The next thing Job did was, he worshipped God.
  • Everything Job owned was given to him by God and the same God who gave took away. 1st 6:7, “For we brought nothing into this world, and we certainly carry nothing out.”
  • In verse 1:21 instead of Job cursing God as satan had said Job blessed the Lord.
  • Anyone can say “The Lord gave” or “The Lord has taken away” But it takes faith to say this when in the valley, “Blessed be the name of the Lord.”

Some valleys are deeper than others-Job 1:16-17.

  • In one day Job was stripped of his wealth and children.
  • 4 frightened messengers reported to Job and fled for their lives.
  • Job already knew what had happened, but he did not know why.
  • The valleys we will face in this life will range from “not so bad” to “very bad.”
  • He will know what happened but not why.

Some valleys are longer than others-Job 2:13.

  • Job’s comforters made him feel worse.
  • However, Job’s friends did some good things.
  1. They cared enough for their friend to travel long distance to be with him.
  2. When they arrived they sat with Job in the ashes.
  3. Their grief for Job was so deep that they could not speak for 7 days. After 7 days of silence they spoke for 42 chapters.
  • Some valleys are long, others are short.
  • Some problems are long, but others are short.
  • The best thing we can do for someone in the valley of life is to just be there for them.
  • You don’t have to say anything, just be there.
  • Don’t try to explain why they are in the valley, you don’t know why-Only God knows.

Some valleys are prettier than others-Job 3:1-3.

  • Some valleys are more beautiful than others while others are barren wastelands.
  • After 7 days of silent suffering Job spoke, not to curse God, but to curse the day of his birth. He wished he had never been born.
  • Job was not suicidal or wishing mercy killing.
  • When we are hurting we tend to say a lot of things that we later regret.
  • Job forgot the blessing of God, he had enjoyed his family and wealth for many years.
  • Pain makes us forget the joys of the past, instead we concentrate on the hopelessness of the future.

THE POSITIVE ASPECTS OF THE VALLEYS OF LIFE.

It is in the valleys we grow.

  • We grow in knowledge-2nd 4:15.
  • He came to learn that God is all we need in either good or bad times.
  • God does everything so that His name might be glorified.
  • We grow in appreciation-Psalm 118:29.
  • We learn to appreciate the mountains. It is easy to take them for granted.
  • We grow in faith-Isaiah 43:2-4.
  • God has met your needs from day one.
  • When you pass through the waters-The Red sea.
  • When you pass through the river-Jordan.
  • When you walk through fire-Shadrack, Meshack and Abednego.
  • God has not changed-Eph. 6:9; Phil. 4:19.
  • We must submit to God in times of trouble, in the valleys and on the mountains.

It is in the valleys that we glow.

  • We glow in good works-Matt. 5:16.
  • In the valleys of life we get the opportunity to show people that Jesus Christ really does possess the power to transform a broken life.
  • We glow in grace to serve-2nd 8:2.
  • The churches of Macedonia were poor be they were very happy in their valleys and showed it through generosity.
  • We glow in glorification of our Savior-Isaiah 24:15.

CONCLUSION

  • What all opportunity to trust and worship our wonderful God.
  • 1st Peter 1:7-Our faith is more precious than gold, it must be tried and tested.
  • Are you going through no valley today? Or are you coming out of your valley.
  • God is in our valleys with us-praise the Lord.
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Rev, DR. Willy Mutiso

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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