We just started a new series called “God with Us” this Sunday! My message focused on how God is always with us regardless of our circumstances. It’s easy to believe and feel that God is with you when everything is going your way, when you’re on a mountaintop! But what about difficult times, the valleys? I want to challenge you today to acknowledge Him, even through valleys, and even when you’re tempted to turn from Him.
Some of you are not feeling like God is right there with you. You might be feeling like He’s not with you at all. You’re tired, stressed, a little cynical about where the world is going, and confused by all the division you see. The Bible says there’s a way to find strength and victory again, and it’s all wrapped up in the fact that God is here with us! Psalm 84:4 tells us, “Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion.” The highway to Zion is a real thing; you can still walk it today in Israel. But before you get to the city of the Lord, there’s a valley you have to go through. We sometimes have to walk through unwanted valleys in life, but they can lead us right back to God!
Valleys can be seasons of desperation and loneliness, but they’re also times for growth. You enjoy being with God when you’re on a mountaintop, but you experience Him in different ways when you’re in a valley. You get to know Him intimately in valleys. The next time the stress in your life seems too much, more than you can handle, press into God. He’ll answer you when you call and calm your anxious thoughts. You’ll feel closer to Him the more you rely on Him and acknowledge your need for Him.
Isaiah 7:14 says, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” Immanuel means God with us. As we move closer to Christmas, remember the significance of Christ’s birth and how it has impacted history—impacted eternity. This holiday season is really all about Him, and He’s always with you, always with all of us. Whether you’re excited for this season and associate it with good memories, or you’re sad during this time because of heartache, remember that it’s about Jesus’ birth and that it really represents hope.