Seize the Moment – Day 834

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29
Jun '22

Seize the Moment – Day 834

Posted on Jun 29, 2022 by Jerry Ingalls in Devotions, General |

29
Jun '22

The Valley of the Shadow!

1 Kings 19

 

Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Wednesday, June 29.

 

Did you know that the “valley of the shadow of death,” a famous phrase coined by King David in Psalm 23:4, is not exclusively death, but includes any experience of peril? Have you ever experienced the valley of the shadow? How did you handle it?

 

From the highest of highs to the lowest of lows, Elijah went from the mountain top experience with the defeat of the 850 pagan prophets on top of Mount Carmel, to the valley of the shadow with the unveiled threat to his life by the wicked queen Jezebel. Elijah was now in the wilderness, literally and spiritually, as told in 1 Kings 19:4,
 
“But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree; and he requested for himself that he might die, and said, ‘It is enough; now, O Lord, take my life, for I am not better than my fathers.’”

 

Elijah was experiencing the valley of the shadow, which led him to suicidal ideation. This is one of the primary Bible stories that Christian counselors use when researching a biblical understanding of depression and like issues. Elijah, in this low moment, did the most important thing that any of us can do when we are low, he did a 9-1-1 call to God. In his dark shadow, he didn’t turn inwards to find help, he cried out to God with an honest prayer. Like King David before him, he learned that God’s presence with him overcomes the worst things he can face in his life.

 

God responded to Elijah’s prayer by giving him sleep and nourishment, two essential ingredients to survive any valley experience. God then gave him a journey to travel, to Mount Horeb, where he would learn that there was still a purpose for his life (9-21).

 

Seize the moment by calling out to God with an honest prayer; no matter how deep the shadow, God’s light will pierce the darkness.

God bless you!
 
If you would like to receive a personal phone call today, all you have to do is dial the phone number below right now and one of us will call you soon.
 

YOUTUBE:

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