Our God Jehovah is the Same Ever-LOVING and Faithful God, be We in the Valley of Tribulation, or on the Mountain Top of Comfort!

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.

Sunday has come around again my fellow believers! That wonderful day of our God, where we endeavour to visit His house, and with other believers offer up prayers of praise and thanksgiving and worship Him with a true and sincere heart. In return, we receive His strength and wisdom to face another week of work in these tough and ungodly times. And on our worship schedule for today is a song that’s very appropriate for these times and offers encouragement to those of us who are having a hard time managing the trials and tribulations of our lives.

The song’s aptly titled ‘God on the Mountain.’ It was written by Tracy Dartt in the mid 1970’s when his wife Sharon and himself were going through an entrepreneurial crisis, where there swimming pool business in California was facing bankruptcy, and to make matters worse, their partner became discouraged, threw in the towel, and signed everything over to them. That obviously caused them even more anxiety and stress for they had several swimming pools to build, but no money to build them with.

It so happened though that the Dartt’s were also country gospel music singers and per Mr. Dartt: ‘In the midst of the turmoil, I awakened from a troubled sleep one night. It was two o’clock in the morning. A tune was echoing in my troubled brain. I picked up a tablet and a pencil and began to write, “Life is easy when you’re up on the mountain, and you’ve got peace of mind like you’ve never known. But, when things change and you’re down in the valley, don’t lose faith, for you’re never alone.”

“Thank You, Lord,” I prayed, “for being God in my valley.” The chorus came, “The God on the mountain is still God in the valley. When things go wrong, He’ll make them right…” In all, it took about thirty minutes. I again prayed, “Thank You, Lord,” and then settled back down to sleep.’

And wouldn’t you know it, the next day he went off to work and through God’s goodness and mercy, he got a call for a new swimming pool. Then a few days later he got another call. And so it went, until as he writes: ‘Through the off-season, we ended up selling and building 12 pools in all, at a time when no one else was building pools. The building season came, and suddenly we were able to finish all of our construction and eliminate our debts. We were free and clear, without having to bankrupt the business. God had taken us through the valley.’

And believe me friends, that is not an exception but has happened to many believers down through the ages, who stood strong in their faith even when their world seemed to be falling apart around them. So now that we know some the song’s background, let’s offer up our sweet sacrifices of praise in a mid-tempo, soulful version of the song, a la the American Gospel Artiste, Lynda Randle.

Singing: ‘Life is easy, when you’re up on the mountain And you’ve got peace of mind, like you’ve never known But things change, when you’re down in the valley Don’t lose faith, for you are never alone For the God on the mountain, is still God in the valley When things go wrong, He’ll make them right And the God of the good times, is still God in the bad times The God of the day, is still God in the night We talk of faith way up on the mountain

But talk comes easy, when life’s at its best Now it’s down in the valleys, trials and temptations That’s where your faith is really put to the test For the God on the mountain, is still God in the valley, When things go wrong, He’ll make them right And the God of the good times, is still God in the bad times The God of the day, is still God in the night The God of the day, is still God in the night.’

And that’s the indisputable truth my people! Our God is the God of both the day and night, as well as of the valley and the mountain top. But we must know that deep down in our hearts and put it into action, like the Dartt’s did, if we want to experience the same kind of reward of God’s goodness and grace that they received.

And we all know that one of the most famous scriptures on being down in the valley is this one from Psalm 23, where Bruh David confidently affirms: ‘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. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil: my cup runneth over.’ (Ps. 23:3-4)

Yes my brethren, the Lord has faithfully promised that He will never leave nor forsake us, (Heb. 13:5) that means wherever we are, He is there with us, leading and guiding us. However though, valley life is not easy. For as the song so rightfully points out. ‘We talk of faith way up on the mountain But talk comes easy, when life’s at its best Now it’s down in the valleys, trials and temptations That’s where your faith is really put to the test.’

Now that’s the gospel truth! When things are going well, we can always boast about our faith, but it’s down in the trenches of the valleys, when the darkness seems overwhelming, that our faith is really tested. And it’s where so many of us fail the test, because we cannot walk our talk of faith. But when we put our trust in God during those dark and dismal times, He helps us to get through them. It’s like the psalmist Asaph who found himself in the valley, being envious of the wicked, then went into the sanctuary of God and finally understood the wicked’s end. (Ps. 73:17).

Later, he declares: ‘My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength (rock) of my heart, and my portion for ever. For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works.’ (Ps. 73:26-28) 

And we’ll close with possibly the most comforting scripture verses in the Bible. The words of Bruh Paul in his second letter to the Corinthians. ‘Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble (tribulation), by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.’ (2 Cor. 1:3-4)

Yes friends, our great God not only comforts us, but in such a manner that we can comfort others. Isn’t He wonderful? Of course He is! So, let’s remember, that though times are tough and seem to be getting tougher daily, our God Jehovah has us in the palm of his hand, but we need keep our faith strong, to even build it up, so that we can make it through the many death-like valleys that are appearing nowadays. Much LOVE!

…the Lord is my light and my salvation…whom shall I fear…the Lord is the strength of my life…of whom shall I be afraid…NO ONE… (Ps. 27:1) 

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Today’s Scrip-Bit 27 November 2020 Hebrews 10:23.

Hebrews 10:23.     ​Let us hold fast the profession (confession) of our faith (hope) without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

And then it was Friday – Black Friday to be precise! The big shopping day down in the U.S after Thanksgiving, and now being copied by so many countries around the world. And since a lot of people rejected the medical advice yesterday to stay close to home and keep the celebrations small, but instead flooded the airports and the highways to go and do their natural Thanksgiving thing, why would they behave any differently on the biggest shopping day of the year eh? 

So instead of staying home and shopping online, expect there to be line ups at the physical stores. And if mankind is lined up anywhere, for whatever reason, but especially for bargain hunting, expect there to be problems. Let’s hope that there won’t be any looting and shooting and serious incidents, but who knows what happens when mankind is let loose eh. (smile) And the merchants themselves are something else too, still encouraging people to come out and buy during their rigged sales. It’s all about the almighty dollar! 

But life goes on, and thankfully we Christians have Jesus to lead and guide us, that is if we listen to Him, and not let the things of the world lead us astray. Enough of me though, let’s listen to what the ordinary workingman has to say, it might just be more interesting. (smile) 

And his whole demeanour is different this week as he angrily shouts: ‘Covid -19, Covid-19! When this blooming thing going to done eh? When people going to smarten up and keep them tail inside and wear the darm mask eh? Is because of so many stupid and irresponsible people that ah get laid off again; the government force the slave master to shut down because of the too close working conditions, so I get mih last paycheque last week – when ah going to get another one eh, since I don’t get pay if ah don’t work, and the place lock down for at least a month. 

Who knows if it going to open back then or stay lock down eh? Who going to feed mih children eh? Steups! This whole thing just going from bad to worse yes…And now yuh telling me nonsense about Black Friday shopping! Look doh let me tell what to do with yuh Black Friday shopping nuh! An’ people so darm foolish, they can’t see how the rich people and them getting richer in them pandemic times, while we the small man getting poorer, with no jobs and no money and so many others facing bankruptcy and whatever. 

And yuh telling me chupidness bout this being a democracy and we suppose to help one another? Well where the blooming wealthy who suppose to help the small man eh? Yuh see any ah dem during this pandemic doing anything for anybody? Not on yuh life! They hiding out in deh comfy homes, eating and drinking as normal, and don’t need to go to no work because the poor minions out there in the pandemic working for them. 

Look, ah sorry that ah ranting this Friday yes, but ah just had it up to mih neck with the foolishness now, suffering for other people bad behaviour, and it just got to me today. Ah still thanking God for what li’l ah have, and ah know ah have more than some people, but ah just had to get the frustration off mih chest today, otherwise it woulda drive me crazy!’ 

Oh friends, the pandemic scene is certainly getting to a lot of people, so much so that people are protesting more than before. But what to do eh? For masks, physical distancing, washing hands and staying in small groups are the only things we have right now that seem to control it. And until we get a good vaccine, and people take it, I don’t know what else we can do to mitigate the pandemic nuh. And in light of all that, our irresponsible behaviour certainly isn’t helping matters any. 

So what advice can I give in these circumstances eh? As believers in Christ Jesus, the first response in times of doubt and fear, of anxiety and lost hope, is to turn to Almighty God in prayer. He has faithfully promised never to leave nor forsake us. (Heb. 13:5) And the Good Book also instructs: ‘Let us hold fast the profession (confession of our faith (hope) without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke (stir up) unto LOVE and to good works.’ (Heb. 10:23-24) 

Yes my fellow saints in Christ, in tough times like these, we need to stay strong and encourage each other to share the LOVE of Christ and to help our fellow man, while we fall on our knees in sincere prayer, asking for God’s grace and mercy and wisdom to handle the anxiety and fear that’s encompassing our lives. So right now, let’s do just that nuh, through our Friday Chant. 

As one strong and prayerful voice: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through this past week. Yuh know it’s been rough… what with all the anxiety, the confusion and havoc that the Covid-19 virus and the racial strife causing. We not accustomed to that kind of life Lord, and it really telling on us. And we know we can’t handle it on our own, that we desperately need your help. 

Oh heavenly Father, with your omnipotent help, and our trusting faith, we know that we can stand strong and steadfast and defeat both the virus and the unrest in our streets. So Lord, we sincerely ask you today to give the governments and those involved in the forefront of this serious and unexpected storm, the sure and wise guidance to handle the situation properly, with the least amount of loss to life and property as possible. 

And please help those of us who must go out to work amidst all the confusion, to be responsible and to stay safe, so that we can avoid any more serious setbacks. And Lord, we fervently pray that You’ll use this situation to also bring a lot of backsliders back to your fold, show them the error of their ways. It’s also a good opportunity to introduce a whole new flock, who will embrace your LOVE and compassion because of the way we, your faithful believers, handle the situation. 

Yes Lord, please use this pandemic and the unrest in the streets as a means of restoring faith in You, so that our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffee, sweet and strong! We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!’  

Now it’s time for us to handle the situation properly, like true believers, by showing the LOVE and compassion of Jesus to all those who desperately need it in this pandemic time! Much LOVE!

…listen to the Holy Spirit that dwells within…and He will guide you wisely and safely…that’s Christ’s faithful promise…