Choosing Gratitude in the Valley
“Troubles should not overwhelm the people of God, . . .”
Allen P. Ross, A Commentary on the Psalms
I have spent my entire adult life stepping into overwhelming situations. One time I was in a room where I watched a young son weep over his mother’s death caused by a gun discharging when he sat on the couch in their living room. He had no idea it was there, but that one moment led him to a valley he will never forget. I have arrived on the scene where two parents began the process of
mourning after their daughter’s death from substance abuse. Those are moments descending into the valley her parents will never forget. One afternoon I will never forget is when I witnessed a young man being told by his parents that their marriage was over, and now that he graduated from high school it was time to step up and take care of himself. He was given a month to move out. That was a valley moment that broke that young man. We all have moments in the valley when we encounter a broken heart. You can probably close your eyes for a few moments and remember the descent into a valley in your life.
In Psalm 34, David is writing on the other end of a valley in his life. In the first ten verses, he proclaims to the people that God has delivered him and he wants them to experience the goodness of God just like he has. Notice the gratitude David has from his recent deliverance by God. In fact, in the next few verses David pleads with the people to learn from him so they can experience the presence and favor of the Lord in their lives.
In verse 13-22, David gives the people five insights that will help them have success in living in the Lord’s favor. He tells them 1) to embrace peace, 2) resist corruption, 3) to be encouraged because God’s favor is with the righteous, 4) to embrace the promise that God will to deliver the righteous from oppression, and 5) he tells the people that they will be redeemed and never face condemnation in their relationship with God.
In the middle of the final section, there are two verses that speak to God’s intimacy with the broken hearted when they cry out for help. The word used by David to paint a picture of intimacy is “near,” and it really help us see what he is getting at. God is near in those moments in the valley, and He never leaves our side. It’s not in God’s character to ever leave his children alone in the valley. He meets us there and holds us close. As I look back on the valleys in my own life, I am overwhelmed by God’s presence in each and every one of them. Even in those moments where I questioned the events surrounding me, He was holding me.
When the righteous cry for help,
the Lord hears and delivers them
out of all their troubles.
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
and saves the crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:17-18
The first part of Psalm 34 is all about gratitude. David calls the people to celebrate God’s work in his life so that the oppressed would have joy. He describes God’s wonderful work in the valleys of his life. Then, he does what we are all called to do – tells everybody what God has done and challenges them to choose life in God’s presence.
So, if you’re in a volley right now, please don’t forget that God is there with you, and He is near, not watching from a distance. If someone in your life is in a valley, use the truth from this Psalm to inform them that God is there for them, and you are too! Knowing God is near leads to gratitude and confidence as we walk through the valleys in our lives. It makes us want to tell people that God is near, and He wants relationship with them. What a great truth to start our day!
Pastor Chuck Reed