(1) the Length of the Valley Is Uncertain

“DARK VALLEYS” PSALM 23

INTRO: Someone has said, “Faith is the vision of the heart. It sees God in the dark, as in the day.”

(1) THE LENGTH OF THE VALLEY IS UNCERTAIN

A. WE DON’T KNOW WHAT TOMORROW WILL BRING ( JAMES 4:14 ). B. WE DON’T KNOW WHAT TROUBLE WILL BREW. Trouble is the way of life (Job 14:1). But in trouble we can call on the Lord. “In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee, for thou will answer me.” (Psalm 86:7).

(2) THE LARGENESS OF THE VALLEY IN UNKNOWN

A. WE MUST TRUST GOD’S WISDOM ( V4A ) ( ISAIAH 55:8-9). If God sends thee a cross, take it up and follow Him. Use it wisely, lest it be unprofitable. Bear it patiently, lest it be intolerable. If it be light, slight it not. If it be heavy, murmur not—Quarles.

B. WE MUST TRAVEL GOD’S WAY ( v3 ). “As for God, his way is perfect; the Word of the Lord is tried, he is a buckler to them that trust in him.” (2 Samuel 22:31).

(3) THE LEARNING OF THE VALLEY IS UNLIMITED

* “God is the only sure foundation on which the mind can rest” –St. Irenaeus

A. WE LEARN ABOUT GOD’S COMPASSION. “But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, and longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth” (Psalm 86:15).

B. WE LEARN ABOUT GOD’S CONCERN. “Casting all your care upon him; for He careth for you.” (1 Peter 5:7).

C. WE LEARN ABOUT GOD’S COMFORT. “thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” (v4). The rod and staff of God comforts us.

D. WE LEARN ABOUT GOD’S CONSOLATION. “Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,” (2 Thessalonians 2: 16).

CLOSING: “It is a greater gain to suffer the loss of all things that we may learn To depend on Jesus alone”—Foley

PREPARED BY BROTHER BRYAN L. BROWNING, PASTOR OF BEECHMONT BAPTIST CHURCH, BEECHMONT, KY FOR SUNDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 1, 2009.