Walk Through the Valley

Posted on by soldierjourneywow

What did David mean when he said, “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil?”   

Literally we will see in the Word of God where David actually was in a valley fighting a Philistine, called Goliath. Today, Christians might not actually face an opponent in a valley, unless one is in the armed forces, but there are times when different situations in life make one believe they have landed in a valley. We will see that being in a valley can be good or bad. depending on our attitude and how we view a situation.

Let’s define the definition of valley. A valley is a stretch of low land lying between hills or mountains and usually having a river or stream flowing through it. This is the literal meaning of the word valley, but we can identity words that are associated with valley such as the following: lowest point. deep water, pitfall, depression, pit, cave and perspective. We might not find ourselves walking between two mountains, but can be in a valley when we think we are at our lowest point, in deep water (trouble), depressed, in the pit of life, and in a cave. In order to walk through the valley, we must place things in the right perspective. Perspective is – a specific point of view in understanding or judging things or events and the ability to see things in a true relationship. We know as Christians that the ability to understand come from God, in which we do not lean to our own understanding. We find the truth by accepting Jesus and being led by the Holy Spirit. We cannot let our walk through the valley be in vain. We are to learn and grow in what we see and do. As we walk in this life, we need to meditate on the following proverbs:

Prov 1:2 To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;

Prov 1:3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; 

Prov 1: 7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Prov 4: 7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore, get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

As we Continue to live on this earth as Christians, we can relate to what David said in Psalm 23:4.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

If we turn to the Old Testament in I Samuel, Chapter 17, we will see something stirring in a valley. This is the time when David met Goliath. Some of us are familiar with this fight. It is important to note that this was not only a battle between David and Goliath, but between God and satan. We have two nations preparing to do battle.  

And the Philistines stood on a mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side: and there was a valley between them. (1 Sam 17:3)

There was a valley that separated the two different groups. Another word associated with valley is the word abyss. 

An abyss There was a valley that separated the two different groups. Another word associated with valley is the word abyss. •An abyss is an unfathomable chasm; a yawning gulf and an immeasurably profound depth or void.

This brings to mind what Jesus told His disciples about a gulf that separated the beggar (Lazarus) and the rich man. Let’s take a look at a few Scriptures pertaining to that 

And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. (Luke 16:22-31)

There is a separation between good and evil. We cannot be both good and evil. The time to ask for mercy and forgiveness is before we die, otherwise we see that it will be too late. Lazarus was now in comfort and the rich man in hell. He had refused to help Lazarus. There was nothing wrong with him being rich. The problem with being rich is when a person loves money more than people. Many people to include Christians have a wrong concept concerning money. We can all become rich, but if we gain the world and lose our soul, what is the gain when we miss Jesus. Many Christians and unsaved people often say that money is the root of all evil, which is not quoted correctly from the Holy Bible. The Word of God tells us, 

1 Tim 6:10   For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 

            There is nothing wrong with money. God wants us to have the very best and that takes money. The problem occurs when we place money in the wrong perspective (word associated with valley). All good things come from God for a specific purpose and we have to be directed by the Holy Spirit in the area of money and not directed by mankind.

“The love of money can land one in a valley. “

1 Sam 17:4 And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. 

  Goliath was a big man and spoke a lot a trash concerning God. Goliath was definitely in the valley all around. He was literally in a valley surrounded by mountains and in deep water (word associated with valley) because of his big mouth.

“A big mouth can land one in a valley.”

 

The Battle is in the Valley

Unfortunately, some people of Israel looked at the size of the problem and let the words that Goliath spoke affect their minds. They allowed size and the words of a man to get them dismayed and afraid.

1 Sam 17:11 When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid.

1 Sam 17:24 And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him, and were sore afraid.

Sometimes, we have to do a mind check. We have to be in the right frame of mind. We have to be renewed in the spirit of our minds (Eph 4:23) and have the mind of Christ Jesus (Phil 2:5). There are times when we can get in the wrong frame of mind when our mind and actions do not line up with the Word of God – Jesus Christ.  God did not give us the spirit of fear. Saul and all Israel should not have been afraid fighting in the valley of Elah (1 Sam 17:19). 

The men of Israel were in the wrong frame of mind fighting against the Philistines. They were not fighting in faith. David came into the valley with faith. We cannot expect to have victory over a situation or problem when we are in fear. Faith and fear do not go together. To have fear is to doubt, and doubt is not of faith. The people of Israel could not be victorious over the enemy because they were in sin. 

Rom 14:23b For whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

The Battle is the Lord’s

David came on the scene with faith and the guide of the Holy Spirit. David had his staff (The Lord was on his side) in his hand and stopped by the brook for help (he needed the Holy Spirit) to get five smooth stones to kill the enemy with.

1 Sam 17:40 And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.

David had all the equipment he needed. Goliath was all mouth. He talked so much trash, yet he needed a man to bare a shield before him. We only need the blood of Jesus as our shield to protect us. We also have our equipment, the whole armor of God (Eph 6:10-18).

1 Sam 17:41And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him.

Goliath could not believe that David was coming to him with staves. Several definitions of staff and staves (plural of staff) are:

• a stick or cane carried as an aid in walking or climbing

• a rod or baton carried as a symbol of authority

• a body of workers or assistants to a manager, an executive, or another person in authority

Stave:  to break or smash a hole in, to crush or smash inward

David knew the battle was the Lord’s and this was not his fight We have to know that God will carry us through the valley. It is the Lord’s rod and staff that protects us.

1 Sam 17:43 And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.

The natural man did not see the Holy Spirit guiding David. Goliath saw the natural guide David had (the staves), but could not see the Spirit of God at David’s side.

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit or God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Cor 2:14)

Goliath’s mouth was constantly getting him in trouble. There are many natural men and women (unbehievers) today that are also letting their mouths get them in trouble.

And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field (1 Sam 17:44)

The words the Philistine said to David would be his own 

undoing. Even today, when our enemies speak ill of (against) us, the words they speak will come back to them when we are walking in faith.

David was not concerned with the words this man spoke. David was not coming in the name and power of David, but in the name of the Lord. Now we know Goliath was in deep deep water when he cursed God. 

Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee: and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord’s and He will give you into our hands. (1 Sam 17:45-47)

David was ready for battle and when he saw the enemy he did not hesitate in his walk, but ran toward the enemy. There are too many times when we see the problem and let the problem stop us in our tracks. We cannot let any problem hinder us in our walk. David’s mission was to kill the enemy.

1 Sam 17:48 And it came to pass. when the Philistine arose and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.

We read where David and Goliath spoke a few words against one another, but when the enemy rose up, all words ceased. It was time to do battle. Many times we toy with words back and forth against our enemies, but when they rise up, words can no longer be spoken. It is the time when God will deal with the situation and we have to step aside – For the Battle is the Lord’s. We do not fight satan. We fight the Good Fight of Faith. 

We cannot walk through the valley and expect everyone to like us because they will not. Jesus tells us that the world will hate us because it hated Him. The world’s system and some people that are in it are enemies of the cross. We cannot go through life thinking everyone is a friend. Unfortunately, many of us have enemies out there, but woe to them that come against us.

We cannot stop to entertain the enemy in words. When we see the enemy approaching, we already know their intent. The enemy’s intent is to kill, steal from, and destroy the people of God. As we walk through the valley, we will spot the enemy, but praise be to God, we do not have to fear. As Goliath rose up, the enemy today is still rising up, but as David cut off the head of Goliath, soldiers like me in the United States Army are still cutting off the head of the enemies for God and country.  Unlike the military service members, Christians are to fight with spiritual weapons against evil people. People cannot go about cutting the heads of their enemies. These articles are directing our battles to the Spiritual Warfare and not natural warfare. We leave our enemies to God, avoid drama and confusion and seek peace of mind.  We cannot allow the mind of the enemy to get in our mind. We are to cut it off quickly. We see a lot of natural warfare in the Old Testament and in the New Testament, we see more spiritual battles. 

1 Sam 17:49 And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead: and he fell upon his face to the earth.

Goliath fell on his face because of the power of God. Every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess to God. Everyone shall give an account to God. (Romans 14:11-12)

1 Sam 17:50 So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David. 

Amazing!  David had a spiritual sword with him and no natural sword. That is a strong message we see in the next Scriptures.

1 Sam 17:51 Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and tool his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled.

1 Sam 17:52 And the men of Israel and of Judah arose, and shouted, and pursued the Philistines, until thou come to the valley and to the gates of Ekron. And the wounded of the Philistines fell down by the way to Shaaraim, even unto Gath, and unto Ekron.

Israel once again rose up when they saw the work of the Lord. They pursued the enemies out of one valley into another. This is the same that happens today. When we chase the enemies away from us they will go and harass someone else with a

low amount of faith in another valley. The enemies are constantly being defeated and chased away. It is so important to increase our faith level in God just in case the enemies decide to return. We have to be quick dealing with the enemies and cannot let them destroy our faith in God. Fear is not of God. We are not to fear evil walking in the valley.

When we walk through the valley, we already know that the Lord is our Shepherd, guiding us through, thus there is nothing to fear. The Word of God says, though I walk through the valley, I will fear no evil. We have to walk through the problem and do not stop believing that God will deliver.

There are problems we face in life that we know the answer, but sometimes do not know how to persevere until the problem is solved. Many people become afraid like the people of Israel when they see the size of the problem. The people of Israel looked at the size of Goliath. and did not look at the size of God.

We have to know that God is our Helper and there is no problem too large that He cannot deal with. We will see some giants in

the valley, but remember that the righteous are always safe in the arms of the Lord.

When Christians encounter problems, we should not fear whether the valley be of sickness or of a financial nature.

Some of us heard the expression, “He/she walks like a million bucks.” We have to walk as though we know we have the victory already. Many of us have allowed the spirit of fear to hinder our steps when God did not give us that spirit. Some Christians have also allowed the pity spirit to prevent them from fully walking victorious in life and it has hindered them from growing. Some people have allowed the suicide demon to constantly tell them they are failures and will not amount to anything. It is time out for all that mess. That is exactly what it is: mess. God wants us to live a full life of victory. Some Christians have stopped living a life of victory and have settled right where they are. NO, NO, NO! God does not want us to ever settle for anything. He wants us to have the best.

Some Christians have been sitting at God`s table for years just eating and eating the Word, but never giving anything back. There are many that can quote Scriptures, but have not come to the knowledge of what repenting is all about. There are some Christians that think they have it going on with God and believe they have no more purging to do. Without the purging, the fruits cannot be produced. As the eagle stirs up her nest. God is stirring us up. There is a continuous shaking going on in the Body of Christ. Some Christians will find that they are not where they should be and should be giving God a lot more. There are Christians that will say, “Thank God, I am not where I used to be.”  We thank God for deliverance of course, but let’s not say “I am not where I used to be” as an excuse for not moving forward.    

For the LORD’S portion is His people: Jacob is the lot of His inheritance. He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness: He led him about, He instructed him, He kept him as the apple of His eye. As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh  them, beareth them on her wings: So the LORD) alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with him (Deut 32:9-12)

We are God’s people and wherever we are at, whether, it be a desert, wilderness or valley, we have to remember what He has instructed us to do. He has given us instructions, but some of us have allowed circumstances in life to hinder our steps. There are some Saints that feel they have let God down because of mistakes in the flesh. Let’s move out Saints and get back in the groove – repent and move out. We cannot be afraid to test our wings again and again. There comes a time when the little eagles have to test their wings, and there comes a time when the big eagles have to keep flying to feed the young. There is a training stage where the little eagles have to test their wings over the valley, but then someday, the little eagles learn to fly through the valleys and mountains. The little eagles will become big eagles one day and the cycle starts all over again. We cannot be afraid because of the height. God the Father has told some of us to get out there and fly, but He did not kick us out without guidance.

He sent His Holy Spirit to help us through the valley in order to reach the mountain. We often think that we are flying alone, but we are never alone. Jesus promised to be with us always, even unto the end of the world. 

Many Christians might feel as if they are in a desert barren land with no water, but they are wrong. God will provide water in the desert. God is still telling His people to get ready for the provision. When it seems as if we are in a dry place, that is when the water is right around the corner. We need to prepare a place for the provision. It’s time to dig a ditch in the valley.

2 Ki 3:16 And he said, Thus saith the LORD, Make this  valley full of ditches.

2 Ki 3:17 For thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not see wind, neither shall ye see rain: yet that valley shall be filled with water, that ye may drink, both ye, and your cattle, and your beasts.

There are many Christians that refuse to step out in faith and venture into the unknown because they are afraid of being without provisions. We cannot be afraid to soar to new heights. Christians cannot think just because they find themselves alone in the natural world that God has abandoned them, for the Holy Spirit is with us now and forever. God will never abandon us in life as long as we continue to seek His face to do right. He has humankind best interest at heart. God is ever present and is always there. There are angels coming and going on behalf of the Lord. God is always providing for us. We often take the small things for granted. He still has plenty of mercy on us and is our Helper (Psalm 30:10 and Psalm 54:4). To some, the journey seems too much and they have been frozen solid in their steps; however, we can make it. We have all been there in which we feel like giving up. We feel that we just cannot make it. We think we do not have what it takes to go on. We start to lean to our own understanding instead of waiting to see what God has to say about it. We cannot let our own thinking confuse us, just because our flesh likes to jump in there. We have to literally say to ourselves “Hold on flesh, let’s see what God has to say about this.” We often have to wait. Many of us have a problem with waiting. We want everything in a popcorn minute. To wait means to tarry, stick around, linger, and abide.

Isa 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Many times, in the Holy Bible we see where Jesus told His disciples to tarry with Him as He prayed. He told them to tarry in Jerusalem and wait on the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49). The Holy Spirit is still abiding with us.

And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever. (John 14:16)

Thank God for this Helper and Guide.

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (John 14:26)

This is a two-way relationship. Many times, we expect God to do all the work. It does not work that way. We want God to always abide with us. We want Him to always reach for us no matter what. Many people have not talked to God for a long time and soon as a situation occurs, they want to remind the Almighty God of His responsibility. God tells us to abide in Hm and He will abide in us.

Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit or itself, except it abide in the vine: no more can ye, except ye abide in Me. I am the Vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in him. the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing. (John 15:3-5)

We cannot walk in the valley without Jesus. We can do nothing without him. We cannot put Jesus out of the picture, especially early in life. This is where instruction comes in.  Parents, Christians and others take part in helping to raise children. I say “others” because even an ungodly person teaches what not to do.  

From the time babies start moving in the womb, most parents begin to read to their children, and program them into becoming a specific occupation, normally based on monetary success. God knew us before our parents knew anything about us. God knew exactly what we would become, but sometimes parents and others begin putting pressure on children contrary to what is in a child’s heart.  God’s divine plans are at work guiding a child’s heart desires.

Parents or guardians are responsible to train children as commanded by God and not commanded by their own selfish desires and motives.  Unfortunately, too many innocents get caught in the crosshairs of someone’s else heart desires.   

We all desire the very best careers for children. It does not matter if they are our own, nephews, nieces, cousins, strangers, and so forth. The very Best is Jesus Christ and by placing our children in the hand of Jesus, He will take care of them. God knows the very best place for our children. He knows exactly where they should be placed in this world. By letting God handle what He created is better than placing children in a pressure cooker. where it could lead to a terrible explosion.

It does not matter what kind of job we have in life. Godliness with contentment is great gain.

There are many members in the Body of Christ. I heard someone once say that even a toe is important on the natural body, but people do not want to be a toe. They want to be a head, but only know how to function as a toe. God wants us to reach the top (the mountain) in all areas of our lives. It does not matter what job we have as long as we do the best of our ability and have God in it, directly or indirectly as led in wisdom by the Holy Spirit.  

I have found on this journey that God will meet us where we are at. God will be there with us in the valley and on the mountain. We want to reach the top of the mountain, and bypass our time in the valley. It does not matter if we are on a mountain or in a valley as long as God is there, and with God’s help he will help us reach the mountaintop to enjoy the view as well. Our help comes from the Lord, and he will help us get through the valley or even bypass the valley. Either way, God will help us conquer the valley. We are not alone. We have a Helper and there are numerous times on this journey when I realized that I could not make it on my own. I needed help and did not have the answers.   

The truth is that we do not have all the answers and all the truth. We cannot be proudful or right in our own eyes in thinking we do not need help walking though our valleys. We have to help and love one another on this journey through the valleys and on the mountaintop. We live in a world where some refuse to help one another and have the mindset, “I got mine, get yours.”

Rom 12:16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

Jesus went up many times into the mountains, but He always came down to the people (Matt 5: 1 and Matt 8: I). The world will follow us as Christians when we come down from our “high horses” and meet them as well. There is nothing wrong with going to the mountain. Jesus went back up the mountain to pray, but Jesus did His work for God off the mountain. 

And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come. He was there alone. (Matt 14:23)

God is always there helping us mature. He is our Father and has no problem helping us. He has given us common sense, but when we continue to do stupid things in life, God is telling us that we were not raised that way. We must not be His children because His children hear His voice. We have heard natural parents say, “My children know better.” God is saying the same thing. As Christians we know better. God has raised us, nourished us, and that is it.  

We cannot act like big babies and drink milk for the rest of our lives. There are Christians that are grown, know how to go to the Throne Room to get rid of waste (sin), but some of us are too lazy, proud, stubborn, rebellious, and so forth, and would rather keep a mess in our clothes (not repenting). It is a sad state to see a child pass the age of a bottle to still have one or one that should be toilet trained when there is nothing physically or mentally wrong.

We need to grow up and put away childish behavior.   

When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. (1 Cor 13:11)

If there are valleys to walk through, rest assured that God will continue helping and sustaining us. God sustained Israel in the wilderness and will sustain us in the valley. The people of Israel lacked nothing while they lived in the wilderness – forty years.

Yea, forty years didst Thou sustain them in the wilderness, so that they lacked nothing: their clothes waxed not old, and their feet swelled not. (Nehemiah 9:21) 

            WOW, what power!

We fail to realize the power of God on our side. Let’s look at the Prophet Elijah.  In this episode, he had just came off the mountain fighting the prophets of baal, when he found himself running from off the mountain into a cave.As previously mentioned, the world valley is also associated with cave. Elijah finds himself in a valley after coming down off Mount Carmel after calling fire down from Heaven. Most of us have read about the test of fire between Prophet Elijah and the prophets of baal (1 Kings 18:17-40). We know God was victorious over His enemy as always. After this battle, we find Elijah running from Jezebel to a cave in the mountains. Why did he run? Many would wonder why Elijah had to run away from Ahab and Jezebel, after he just called fire from Heaven. Elijah was a man of faith and knew God would protect him. Make no mistake that the hand of the Lord never departed from Elijah (I Kings 18:46), but we are housed in an imperfect body (flesh), that gets weary, worn, and tired. Elijah’s spirit needed to get recharged. He was not in a good spiritual state. There is a constant using and renewing that goes on with our minds and spirits. We have to realize that we cannot walk through a valley alone, without power from God. The powers of evil would tear us up, if not for the hand of God on our lives. The journey is too great without the help of God.

 Today we have help from the Holy Spirit and sixty-six books of the Holy Bible. We see how God sent His Angel to help 

Elijah after Elijah Drayed. We also have to pray to get through the valleys in our lives.  

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 away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.  (1 Kings 19:4) 

Elijah acknowledged that he was not better than his fathers. He was being real to God. He admitted that he was flesh, a creature that was tired of fighting in this world. Elijah thought he was the only one fighting on God’s side, and probably thought he was the only one trying to save people from hell. Elijah was tired and complaining and thought he was the only one in the fight against evil. This is a mistake most Christians make today. Some assume they are the only ones fighting the good fight of faith. We are to keep our flesh under subjection, resist satan and he will flee. There are many Saints worshipping God and fighting the good fight of faith. Elijah needed some rest, food, and water.  He was not thinking clearly. God later corrected Elijah on this assumption that he was making believing he was the only one left on God’s side. Elijah would be fed natural food/water from Heaven. Amazing! Today, we are given spiritual food to sustain us; however, we find ourselves in the Old Testament where we started off looking at things in the natural.  It would be after Jesus Christ, that there will be a change to the Spiritual. 

And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him. Arise and eat. And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink and laid him down again.  And the angel of the LORD came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee. (1 Kings 19:5-7)

As we continue in life, we sometime get disgusted. We may just get fed up and tell God to come get us now.  We sometimes get an attitude like Elijah and say, “Enough, I am ready to come now Lord, I am not doing any good down here.” Our fleshly bodies get tired, which is natural. We have to get up (arise), eat, and drink natural food and most important now, it is spiritual food needed today from God to sustain us. How else will we make it on this journey? It would be too much by ourselves. Elijah shows us this. We cannot do it all by myself on this journey. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.  

And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God (1 Kings 19:8)

Like Elijah the spiritual meat we are given today will last a long time until we meet God face to face. As God sent the Angel to feed Elijah, He has sent Jesus and the Holy Spirit to feed us. With the help of the Holy Spirit we can dissect, analyze, and eat the Word of God.

And Elijah continues his journey, we find him in a valley – cave.  

And he came hither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and He said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah? (I Kings 19:9)

The Word of the Lord is still coming to us today. The Holy Spirit is asking some of us  the same question today – What are you doing here in the valley?

  • Are we murmuring and complaining?
  • Are we hiding out in the valley or cave? 
  • Are we listening and do we have ears to hear what the Spirit of the Lord is saying?

Elijah responded,

And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken Thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain Thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.  (1 Kings 19:10)

Elijah was told to go stand upon the mountain before God.

And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD.  And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake: but the LORD was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. (1 Kings 19:11&12)

Most of us still want God to show up with a show of enormous power to see with the natural eyes. God does not come in the forms we want Him to. Many people are missing God because they are not connected spiritually. God is a Spirit and we see, hear and feel Him with our spirits. There are times we can feel the wind when He passes or feel our flesh quake in His presence, and feel the fire of the Holy Spirit ignite our spirit. God was not in the wind, the earthquake or in the fire. There is no need to look for God in either of these things or similar things. Many people assume that when they pray it has to be loud and mighty with a big commotion or shouting at the top of their lungs when preaching for God to be manifested. The Word of God tells us that after the fire a still small voice. God can yell if He wants to because he is God, but the intensity of sound or a mighty show of force do not define God or His power. The power of God is not defined in volume or the tone of our voices.   

And it was so, when Elijah heard it that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?  (1 Kings 19:13)

Elijah was asked this question again:  What are you doing here?

We can imagine that it went further, such as, 

Why are you hiding in the dark?  Why are you in a cave?  What is your problem?  Why are you complaining?  What is your malfunction?  

There is so much in that question, What are you doing here?  

Elijah responded the same way as he did in verse 10 of this chapter. 

And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken Thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain Thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.  (1 Kings 19:14)

God understood what had happened. God did not rebuke Elijah for running away. He simply told him to move out and go. God told Elijah to return to work and be about His (God) work.

And the LORD said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.  (1 Kings 19:15&16)

Elijah had prayed, rested, eaten, voiced his concerns and got an answer from God to go back to work. God also told Elijah that he was not fighting by himself. God came to encourage Elijah and He is encouraging us today. God had listened to Elijah’s problem, saw that he was better in spirit and put him back to work. It might seem as if we are the only ones fighting on God`s side these days, but God still has His people that are worshipping Him alone and not following any other god.

Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.  (1 Kings 19:18)

This is an incredible example how we do not have to worry. Elijah showed a tremendous amount of love for God. He was possessive of God and was disturbed at the people for worshipping baal. God understood this love Elijah had for Him and God understands the love we have for Him also.

How much do we love God? Do we love Him enough to be just as possessive like Elijah when it comes to Him?

It is the love of God that constantly comforts us in life. We should never forget that there is nothing that can separate us from the love of God. It does not matter what we go through or where we walk in life, God’s love is always there.

When we get weary and tired on this journey, we only have to remember that God is there for us. We have to continue in our walk of faith. We do not have to be afraid, fearful, or alone walking through this valley. God the Spirit is moving through the valley with us. He is the River that runs through the valley. 

Wouldn’t it be incredible to be taken up to Heaven like Elijah was by the Jordan River?   

And Elijah said unto him, Tarry, I pray thee, here; for the LORD hath sent me to Jordan. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And they two went on. And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood to view afar off: and they two stood by Jordan. And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground. And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so. And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. (2 Kings 2: 6-11)

1 THE J-TYPE

Posted on by soldierjourneywow

By M. Paul Mitchell

And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. (Gen 2:7)

One of the meanings of life in Webster’s New World Dictionary is defined as the existence of the soul. We clearly see in the above verse that man did not become a living soul until he was given the breath of life by God. When Adam and Eve sinned, man’s soul became at risk. Man became an endangered species. Man was now unprotected and cut off from his Creator, God. We must know that Jesus is the Way to God. He tells us in John 14:6.

“I am the Way, the Truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.”

Jesus says clearly here that He is the Life. To reach God, we must go through Jesus Christ. There is no other way to achieve eternal life. It is so important to realize that Jesus is our Lifeline.  Jesus paid the ultimate price by dying on the cross and reconciling us back to God. It is through His blood that the lifeline was open, and our life depends on the lifeline staying open. We have to understand that satan and his demons will do anything to destroy that connection. When God appointed Jesus as our Public Defender, He won the case on our behalf. Jesus closed the case and rewarded us with a huge settlement (eternal life). We are very fortunate to receive a pardon for our crimes (sin) and to have the slate wiped clean. We are no longer in prison, so let’s stay free.  The Holy Spirit will help us stay connected to God.

But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

For through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.” (Eph 2:13 & 18)

Jesus is our Lifeblood, the blood necessary for new life.  He was provided as an atonement (amends) by God. In order to be forgiven of our sins, blood had to be shed. It is the blood that saves us, and without the blood of Jesus, there could be no remission.  We see that in the Scriptures below.

For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. (Lev 17:11)

For this is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. (Matt 26:28)

Please understand that although Jesus provided Himself as an offering and sacrifice because He loved us (Eph 5:2), it was only because God allowed it. God allowed Jesus to be our Deliverer.

See now that I, even, I am He and there is no god with Me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of My hand. For I lift up My hand to heaven, and say, I live forever.  (Deut 32:39 &40)

As God did in the very beginning, He is once again giving life to man.  We see in John 1:1, that Jesus was in the very beginning with God and that the life God gave man was Jesus.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning-with God. In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. (John 1:1,2 &4)

We know in John 1:14, that Jesus is the Word.

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His-glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)

We see in John 1:4, that Jesus is the light of man and the perfect example to follow. By having a light, we are able to see where we are going. By having a light, we are able to see what is in our paths. Without a light, we are in darkness and will stumble into everything in our way. If we want a clear path to walk, then we need the light. We can only have a clean path if we apply the blood of Jesus to any obstacle that comes in our way.

How much more shall the blood of Christ who through the Eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the Living God.  (Heb 9:14)

Before we go any further, let’s define four words: blood, purge, conscience, and waste.

♦          Blood: The red liquid that circulates in the arteries and veins of humans and other vertebrate animals, carrying oxygen to and carbon dioxide from the tissues of the body.  

♦          Purge: Pure; purify; to cleanse; to rid of impurities, foreign matter, or undesirable elements; to cleanse of guilt, sin, or ceremonial defilement; free from anything that taints; unmixed; undefiled.

♦          Conscience: The inner judge of moral issues or internal knowledge or judgment of right and wrong; the moral sense; mind, related soul.

♦          Waste: To destroy, devastate, ruin, to wear away; consume gradually use up, to make weak, feeble, wear away strength; uncultivated or uninhibited place; wilderness – uninhabited path or trail that makes it difficult to find one’s way.  (Sin)

Blood is the fluid that circulates in the arteries, veins, and capillaries of man. Blood is essential to life and plays a role in every major body activity. Blood travels in a continuous cycle through the body, forced through the blood vessels by the pumping action of the heart. In addition to providing oxygen and removing waste, blood has many other important functions. It distributes food materials, vitamins, enzymes, and carries hormones through various tissues and organs in the body. Some blood cells attack and destroy invading foreign bodies, such as bacteria, and other foreign materials, neutralizing their harmful effects. An important note is that blood is being continuously destroyed and replaced in the body, but the blood volume remains constant. The blood cells are constantly being renewed in the body.

Every believer symbolically has the blood of Jesus Christ circulating in their arteries, veins and capillaries. The blood of Jesus is essential to us in the Body of Christ. It is the blood of Jesus that rid waste (sin) out of our lives. The blood cleans us from impurities, dirt, and keeps us free from contamination.  

The blood of Jesus is sprinkled over our doors. We are now sheltered from the rain and living under God’s roof. When we were growing up in our parents’ house, we would often hear one of them say, “As long as you live under my roof, you will do the things I say.” As we obeyed our earthly parents, we obey our Heavenly Parent, Father God (Heb 12:9).  Jesus Christ lives by God’s rules and we have to live by Christ’s rules, which are God’s rules.

Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, ye have no life in you.  Whoso eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.  For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.  He that eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, dwelleth in Me, and I in him.  As the living Father hath sent Me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth Me even he shall live by Me.  This is that bread which came down from Heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live forever. (John 6:53-58)

Jesus’ blood not only supplies spiritual food, but gives us our own security system as it did in Moses’ day. Mankind is no longer on the endangered species list after being born again. We (Christians) are now marked with a special identification tag. We are now on the protected species list. God sees the blood of Jesus in our lives. As in Exodus 12:5&13, eternal death will pass over those who are marked by the blood and alive in Christ forever more.

Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats:  And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it.  And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood.  I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt. (Ex 12:5,7&13)

In accordance with the ABO system (a system that identifies the different blood groups), every individual can be placed into one of four major blood groups. Those blood groups are A, B, AB and O. It is important to know because certain blood groups cannot be mixed (purged) with another. This can lead to a very serious reaction and often cause death when someone gets the wrong blood in their body. The right blood can save a life and the wrong blood is deadly. This is an important fact to know when someone is in need of a blood transfusion. Blood transfusions from one person to another serve to supply various materials that the other lacks. It is used to restore something that is lost (blood), given so a person can maintain a certain balance in their blood system, and help provide important elements needed that some do not have in the blood (i.e. element for clotting).

The ABO system does not mention one important type. It forgot the J Group (Blood of Jesus). The J blood is pure and contains no waste (sin). The J blood was and is without blemish and without spot (1 Filter 1:19). The J blood is so perfect, it fits all groups. Jesus’ blood does not discriminate and does not care if you belong to group A, B, AB, or O. We do not have to worry about a deadly reaction with the blood of Jesus. The only reaction is a good reaction. The blood of Jesus came to restore that which was lost, came to bring us back into harmony (balance) with God, and clears the path for essential elements (fruits of the spirit). The Holy Spirit helps us bring forth the fruits.

The blood of Jesus can purge away the toughest stain. Those not led by God want to control our conscience (mind). We can take the blood of Jesus and purge our conscience and get rid of waste. We have to make the choice. Our sinful blood is tainted and full of corruption. We have to get rid of waste in our lives and keep the passage way to God free from obstruction to ensure an abundance of spiritual and natural health.  

According to the American Heart Association, the “American Way” is not the best way when it comes to great health. With the abundance of alcohol, overconsumption of meat and dairy products, smoking habits, a jetson (space age) society with everything at our fingertips, this result can lead to physical disability and death. We are not very disciplined when it comes to our body. We are in charge of our bodies, and not the other way around. We have learned to say no to certain harmful things. Let’s learn to say no to self. It is time to exercise our bodies and our minds, and always protect our hearts (naturally and spiritually) from attacks.    

In the natural world, a heart attack is primarily caused by the blocking of a coronary artery by a clot formed at the site of a narrowing in the artery. Since the blockage cuts off the flow of oxygen bearing blood, it causes the death of heart muscle in the region supplied by the artery. Some of us might even have a cardiac arrest -the complete failure of the heart to pump blood. After ten minutes, if blood is not getting to the brain, the results could lead to grave consequences: brain death.

Let’s define clot: An assemble of things; batch, bunch, bundle; related – collection, mess.

In the spiritual world, a heart attack is caused when we block the path of Jesus in our lives by a bunch of mess (sin). This blockage stops the flow of Jesus’ blood and prevent His blood from cleaning us of waste. We slowly drift back to our old selves. We backslide! Every second counts and if the blood of Jesus stops, it could lead to eternal death in hell. We must remember that narrow is the way to eternal Life. We cannot carry a bundle of sin on this path. We have to lighten the load. We do not have time to do things we know will block the flow of blood in our lives and end up dead (naturally and spiritually).

We need daily purging and transfer of change: bad to good, death to life, darkness to light, and so forth. We cannot just settle for a one-time block free procedure. This is an ongoing process for those willing to live a life according to God and be led by His Spirit.  We have to renew our minds daily (Rom 12:1&2) and obey the Holy Spirit’s voice.

And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, where-by ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. (Eph 4:23,24 &30)

But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. (1 Peter 1:19)

For he hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Cor 5:21)

Once we get rid of waste, we become clean, and somewhat new again. We know when it is time to wash our dirty clothes. Sometimes it smells and sometimes we can see the dirt. This is the same way with sin. In becoming new and clean in Jesus, we cleanup by truthfully repenting and being sorry for our transgressions. From the light cycle to the heavy cycle washing (sin is sin), we get cleansed in His blood and become a new creature.  It is so easy to point at the sins of others; however, we are all sinners saved by Grace. We cannot distinguish a little sin from a big sin or a pattern of sin in God’s eyes.  We could say hypocritically, “that person needs the heavy cycle with all those wrongdoings, while we only need a light cycle to clean up our small sins.” We fool ourselves and continue being those who are right in their own eyes. We should strive to be right in God’s eyes.  What is worldly right anyway?  The definition of right changes in time. We should only hope by the time Jesus returns, that right is back to God’s definition.    

Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Cor 5:17)

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Rom 6:23)

This then is the message which we have heard of Him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ. His Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:5-9)

We know when things are not right in our lives. The Holy Spirit convicts us (John 16:8). It might seem as something is missing and a way out seems impossible. There is something we can do and get back in balance. We can stand in the way for a blood transfusion.  Ask for the J type.  Jesus is the-Way!