The Valley of Definition

This Valley could be your Defining Moment.

Valleys throughout scripture have been a turning and defining point to the people in the valley.

I am reminded of the King of Assyria’s servants saying, “Their gods are of the hills....” And we find throughout the course of the history, there is always a valley that defined many significant figures in scripture. Often we think God has forgotten us when we are in the valley, when in reality, he is watching us ever more closely.

The valley of Ajalon, when the Sun and Moon stood still to bring a great victory for Joshua.

The Valley of Jezreel, where Gideon and his handful brought a mighty Victory through God by obeying and trusting in God.

The Valley of Elah will be unforgettable in the victory of victories. When David requested a sword from the Priest, he was told, “We have the sword of Goliath that you slew in the Valley of Elah.”

The Valley of Rephaim, yet another victory for David.

The Valley of Salt another victory.

And finally the valley of Berachah, where victory brought a great spoils for Jehoshphat and his Army.

The valley of Eschol is where we find the Children of Israel shrinking from their promise as they received the message from the Evil Spies.

The Valley of Achor where Achan and his family were stoned for rebellious acts and hidden sin.

The Valley of Sorek, where Delilah lived. Mmmmm.

Valleys and the actions of the men found there provide a crossroads of sorts for their lives and in turn defined them in their greatness, greatness in their Failure or Greatness in their Faith. We have a choice of the definition that will be designated for our valley by the actions we make.

In one instance The Prophet told them, Fill this valley with Ditches. When the blessing comes, you need a place for the blessing to stay. Often blessing come in our lives, but there is not reservoir for it to be captured, so it comes and goes with no lasting reminder of it’s passing.

Our lives can at times be a valley of dry and desert places. The thirst seems to be unbearable. God would say, Dig a Ditch. Dig a Ditch. Fill your valley with Ditches, and when the blessing comes, it will provide relief for your current pressing need and create a tool God will use to bring victory over your enemies.

Can you dig a ditch in your valley?

Can you Stand up and Face the Giant?

Can you ignore the Siren Song of Delilah?

Can you obey God and not hide the forbidden in your tent?

Can you survive in the Valley so God can give you a Victory?

Your defining Moments are found in your valleys. Heaven and Hell are watching to see what you will do in your valley, for it will define you.

For every Victory, there is a valley.

For there too be four walking in the fire, tribulation and temptation must come.

For there to be a Daniel in and out of the Lions den, there comes testing.

For there to be a David, you must have a Goliath resisting.

For there to be a valley full of water, you first had to have someone who had a need that made them dig.

Your actions in your valley will define what sort of man, minister, saint or sinner you are.

Digging Ditches, Trusting in the Blessing that is to come,

In Him, By Him, Through Him,

Scott Phillips
www.newbirth.us

originally written

Mar 23 2003 02:44PM

The Intersection of Circumstance and Destiny

There are dangerous intersections throughout America. If a person is unfamiliar with an area, it is very easy for them to be sitting at a very dangerous crossroad unaware of the danger that is looming.

A few years ago, a number of minister friends were traveling to a conference in Dallas. They found themselves nearly killed, but by the grace of God walked away, at a very dangerous intersection in Dallas, Texas. I remember as a small boy, my family hit at this very same place.

The point is we rarely understand the significance of where we are at the time.

“ I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all. For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.” Eccl 9:11-12

I would like to point you to two people in Scripture that faced a pivotal point in their life.

There was a man by the name of Naboth that had something an Evil King wanted. The evil King knew that Naboth could not sell it, so he asked him to give it to him. Naboth informed the Evil King, that he would not give, sell or trade the inheritance that God had given him. We know that Naboth died in the process, but it was still his Vineyard. When the Evil Kings son died, they threw his body not in the Kings Vineyard, but Naboths Vineyard.

Naboth was willing to say, OVER MY DEAD BODY, I will not give you or sell you my inheritance.

His destiny was defined by his telling the Evil King NO. It cost him everything, but he maintained his integrity and his inheritance.

Can I tell you something, it is better to die for something of eternal value than to give, trade, sell or barter away what previous generations have established in their efforts of blood sweat and tears. It is better to say no and die, than to compromise and lose your soul.

The next person is equally of interest.

An orphan girl with nothing to offer was taken in by her generous uncle. Through the destiny of God, this little girl becomes the Queen of the Kingdom, through no small part of the wisdom of her little uncle. She is living in the lap of luxury and is given a chance to forget her roots. Through the machinations of an evil man, The Jews are under a death warrant and the word comes to her that she better do something. She finally realizes it is her responsibility to do what she can. In her decision, she makes this statement,

“If I Perish, I perish.”

She comes to the point she is willing to pay the price to say yes to the Lord. Her destiny was realized when she was willing to say Yes to the Lord.

Can I tell you something, our Destinies are realized when we are willing to follow the Examples of these Two Godly People.

To tell the Evil King of this World, I am not giving you what you want. We must have the Moral Integrity to say No, even if it cost you your life. Some things are worth dieing for.

We must be willing to Tell Jesus, Yes, even it is putting all that we hold dear in jeopardy. Because the truth of the matter is, everything we have is in Jeopardy to a greater degree if we don’t live up to our responsibilities.

We are living in Momentous Times. If we have ever been at the Intersection of Circumstance and Destiny as a Church, it is today.

Let us Rise up and Lay Hold of the Inheritance of Apostolic Purpose provided to us by our Fore Fathers. Let us at the same time Remind the Wicked King and His Worldly efforts to bring Compromise in our Lives, Over My Dead Body!

Destiny is determined by seemingly very small decisions.

I thankful for My Inheritance while aware of My Responsibility,

In Him, By Him, Through Him,

Scott Phillips
www.inbythroughhim.blogspot.com

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