February 24

Passing through the Valley of Weeping (Baca), they make it a place of springs; the early rain also fills [the pools] with blessing”. Psalm 84:6 (AMPC)

Hard seasons may come; times spent in the valley of the shadows; with all the challenges that life may bring. We can go through them ourselves, traversing through those weary roads, perhaps feeling a little lost, and very much alone. However, in God, each season has a purpose, and even if it was not God’s perfect plan for you originally, submitted back to Him, there is still something of value to receive, and an abiding grace that redeems.
 
We can be anxious to get out of difficult situations and make the pain stop, but pain can be our best teacher if we let it—leading us in transformation, when we stop and ask…what can I learn?  What am I meant to see?  Is this familiar to me?  If we do not fully embrace and learn from one experience, we may find ourselves right back in a similar circumstance—where the people and place may be different—but we remain the same. 
 
Even in those cases God in His kindness is often giving us a chance to work it out once more—to pass the test at last, to find the root that is bringing forth all the bad fruit.  He allows this for our own benefit for lessons learned become the foundation of a new way of living. Tests once passed, need not be taken again.   Freedom is always on the other side of the pain and the problem, when greater learning and understanding is at work, for God’s promise to you is that as He leads, you will grow stronger with every step forward, all along the way.
 
Of course, there are times we feel so shattered, by something that broke us in the deepest ways, and we don’t have the stamina to pick up the pieces and go on. We want to set up camp, exactly where we are, and let our weary heart rest a while.  And resting is okay, necessary at times, to allow for the healing to come. It can be an important part of the process, and a welcome respite for our souls.  Stopping is good. As long as you don’t plan to stay! Time does help in the healing process, but time alone will not heal.  God knows the step-by-step way forward, and He walks that healing journey with us, never leaving us alone.
 
Invite Jesus in, to meet with you in the low places and in the depths of the loss.  For even the dry places, and those hard ground seasons, can be transformed to pools of blessing, filled to overflow. Trust Him with your sadness, scars, and deepest fears. Stop, treasured one, in the midst of the worry, and the weeping. Embrace what can be learned in the valley, for with Him no tear, or season, is ever wasted. 
 
Then when the time is right, with the wisdom gained, and your strength renewed, slip your hand in His. Lift your face towards the rain, walk on into the glorious future that is yet to be.  Let the poured-out blessings wash over you—renewing, restoring, reviving, and making all things new!
 
Prayer:
 
Dearest Father,
 
I have heard Your promises, sent from above.  That you will strengthen me, hold my hand.  Lead and guide me every day.
 
I confess Lord, I have often gone my own way.  Tried what I thought was right, what was taught or shown to me, even when it took me away from You.
 
Today I take You at Your Word, that I can be strengthened and led by You.  That I can lay hold of heaven’s promises, and learn and grow in You.
 
Let it be so Lord today I pray, in every area of need.  Let it be so, all the days through.
 
I need You Lord and I look to You, the Holy One of Israel.  I surrender to Your love today, and I trust You, for You are perfect in all of Your ways.
 
Be my Divine Shelter and my Dwelling Place. I find my life in You.