8 Ways We Know God is Faithful
Assisting in the Valley
Psalm 119:90
One of the greatest joys in ministry for me is having conversations that matter with people about their relationship with God. I interact with people celebrating mountaintop experiences in their journey with God, and lament with those deep in the valleys of trial. One of the greatest honors for me is spending time with people in the valley who are transparent about the struggles they are having in life. I have found that one of the primary needs for people in the valley are reminders of God’s faithfulness in their lives. It as amazing how the valley can lead us to what I call “spiritual amnesia.” Forgetting the faithfulness of God in the middle of a current crisis in our lives. Satan is great at stepping into these moments of our lives and doing some destructive work.
So what is our response to the accusers destructive intentions in our lives? Here are three disciplines I find myself practicing more consistently as I walk through the valleys in my life. The first thing is to pray for God to re-center my thoughts on Him. Descents into the valleys of our lives are caused by many things: relational struggles, bad decisions, overwhelming trials, etc. In the moments when we recognize we are descending into the valley we should stop and pray. The lament is a tool we have at our disposal as we cry out to God in our time of need (David’s laments in the Psalms are good tools to help us through this process). The next thing I do is spend time in God’s word. Recently I have enjoyed a personal emotional renaissance as I journey through the Psalms. I am reminded though every Psalm of the realities of life and God’s faithfulness in our everyday struggles. Finally, I surround myself with people with a mutual interest in bearing each others burdens. People I can be honest with, sharing with confidence about my struggles, knowing that they will care for me and speak truth into my life. I have men in my life from all generations that are part of this vital process. I look back on my life and thank God for men who have testified to God’s faithfulness in crucial moments of my life, and gave me renewed perspective of my challenges at that moment.
In Psalm 119:90, the Psalmist writes, “Your faithfulness endures to all generations; you have established the earth, and it stands fast.” In the context of this Psalm (verses 89-91) the Psalmist declares that “God’s work is dependable, because God is dependable; and the permanence of the earth, which he created, is an emblem and guarantee of His faithfulness.”1 This provides a great starting point as we step into the crucial conversations of those enduring the valley, helping them recognize that our creator God is in this season with
them and that He is faithful. This promise is so important as we seize opportunities to encourage people in the valley.
As you walk through this week I want to challenge you to do three things. If you’re in the valley start the process of: 1) prayer, 2) abiding in God’s word, and 3) leaning into your spiritual support network (If you don’t have a network start the process of developing one). If you know of someone in the valley start praying for an opportunity to assist them in their journey, and see where things go! You never know, it may be the beginning of a very fruitful and encouraging relationship.
– Pastor Chuck
1 Allen P. Ross, A Commentary on the Psalms, 541.