Every Valley Will Be Lifted Up

We are human. We live in a world that we can’t ultimately control. No matter how hard we try at times, bad things happen, and grief becomes our constant companion. Actually, it feels really uncomfortable writing these words and even pointing it out. I’m the encourager, the ‘scatterer’ of positive vibes and feel- good scriptures and memes! Let’s face it though, we all like to pretend that we are not vulnerable. But we are.

The Bible says that our days are like grass, like a mist or a vapor (Psalm 103:15-16, James 4:14). And no matter how much we want to dwell on the mountaintops in our lives, we spend a lot of time down in the valley. The wonder that we feel in times of joy, purpose, laughter and love sits strangely juxtaposed alongside struggle, sickness, loneliness and pain. It’s the bitter and the sweet of life. We all have a story. And God’s Gospel story intersects with that story, in the valley.

That is the theme of my poem, Lowland Treasure. It’s the result of over a year of me reflecting on God’s presence and nearness and provision--in our pain, in the valleys of life. These are the words of my heart. A prayer of lament and words of worship and meditation on the kindness, goodness, and grace of God--in the valley.

Lowland Treasure

I sometimes long to leave the weary sameness of the lowland ways

The flatlands meandering around the twists and turns of changing terrain

searching for the colors of tiffany blue and sea-green water.

But only dry stream beds remain,

waiting in vain for their smooth stones to welcome puddles of rain,

in the valley.

Parched lips give testimony of the dryness that embraces me.

On the wings of the wind

I hear distant thunder of water falling off a cliff,

and crave the refreshing torrent of its watery onslaught,

in the valley.

Knees dig in deep to the scratchy ground at the foot of the mountain.

Sour tears fall to the floor of that place that is my dwelling.

They tell a story of rocky paths that I have fashioned,

hard-worn trails that stretch out beyond my sight,

love found and lost,

sickness and pain too soon,

and a harvest of darkness within the hearts of the image bearers . . .

in the valley.

My gaze lifts to consider the winding trails

The rising footpaths offer promise of new heights, boundless vistas.

Will I again scale the upward paths to the top of the mount?

Feel the strength and wonder and healing of that higher place,

away from the valley?

Hands stretch upward to the snow dusted peaks

that cut so effortlessly through the floating clouds

To that distant place where I search for the Greatest Good,

away from the valley.

His Voice comes faintly at first, in the swirl and power of the wind

I strain to hear it above the loud voices in my own head,

my sin, my fears and regrets, my idols and ambitions, my fixes, my expectations,

Good things, great things, noble things, lovely things . . .

in the valley.

This Voice is the Creator and Master of my days,

The Holy Power that guides me.

His Words pierce through my mind

my heart

my being

With a distinct and irresistible call to follow him . . .

in the valley.

This Holy Spirit tells The Story again to me

His Breath giving life, healing, faith, vision, purpose

Why have I not remembered the love that sought me

the sacrifice that bought me,

the promise that keeps me,

the power that provides for me,

the new City that awaits me?

This Son of God has said the Word and done the Work,

in the valley.

As I follow Him now through this stretch of lowland,

with highlands rising on either side

Soft scents begin to surround me

Winds rustle through the glow of the grasslands.

His Words, dancing through the air impart Peace for this day

Strength, hope…learning for my days yet to come.

And I am changed . . .

in the valley.

The veil of shadows fades away,

and like newly polished crystal the scene is revealed.

A quiet stream flows down from the mountains

To travel across the lowland into a rushing, mighty river.

The bubbling of the water sings with gladness and joy

And this River of Life quenches my thirst.

The freshness of the cleansing calls to me

Vivid colors paint the landscape

and His creation lights across the expanse

of the valley.

I worship and honor the Greatest Good, Righteous Judge, all Powerful God,

my Kinsman Redeemer

my Comforter,

in the valley.

He is Lord of who I am, and who I am becoming,

in the valley.

He is Sovereign above all thrones, dominions, and governments.

He is Holy God and Father over all nations, peoples and living things.

He is Lord of the mountains, the heavens and the earth,

and every other vast, unknowable created realm

. . . . and He is Lord of the valley.

----RJakeMac

“Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain.” -- Isaiah 40:4

“And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.”-Is 58:11

“The meadows clothe themselves with flocks, the valleys deck themselves with grain, they shout and sing together for joy.” Psalm 65:13

“In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also.” --Psalm 95:4

“He sends forth springs in the valleys. They flow between the mountains.” --Psalm 104:10

“And in that day the mountains shall drip sweet wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the streambeds of Judah shall flow with water; and a fountain shall come forth from the house of the Lord and water the Valley of Shittim.” -- Joel 3:18

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” --Psalm 23