SERIES: War is Over, The MESSAGE: The Valley SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig SCRIPTURE: Psalm 23

Transcription

1 SERIES: War is Over, The MESSAGE: The Valley SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig SCRIPTURE: Psalm 23 MESSAGE SUMMARY Everyone knows pain and suffering to some degree. It s guaranteed for all. As Job said, "Man is born to trouble, as the sparks fly upward" (Job 5:7). He meant that hardship is as predictable as flames and flickers rising when a fire is lit. King David poetically referred to such adversity as walking down into a valley. Though everyone suffers, not all suffer well. Today we rediscover why the valleys are necessary and how they can even be rewarding. STUDY GUIDE Recap Notes: August 10, 2015 Teaching: The Valley Text: Psalm 23 Tune: "The Valley" by Battledrums Path: In Psalm 23, King David poetically refers to adversity as walking down into a valley. Though everyone suffers, not all suffer well. In this study, we rediscover why the valleys are necessary and how they can even be rewarding. Points: I. There Will Be Valleys II. There Will Be Dark Valleys III. You Can Be Fearless in the Valleys IV. God Is in the Valleys V. The Valleys Won't Last Forever There Will Be Valleys: A valley is a depression in earth's crust, a low spot. More than topography, though, it's reality, especially for believers. Though often referred to at times of death, Psalm 23 has more to do with life---seeing trials turn to triumphs. Valleys are certain: the text states, "though I walk," not "if I walk." There Will Be Dark Valleys: Page 1

2 Some valleys are darker and deeper than others. In Scripture, valleys are often used to describe times and places of difficulty. Don't waste your valleys; God allows low points to teach you something. Even in trials, God's presence is true; in darkness, God delights to illuminate our way. You Can Be Fearless in the Valleys: The phrase "I will" tells us that fear and faith are matters of choice. David chose faith over fear. We can walk through valleys---not stumble or crawl in fear---when we pursue God without panicking. Suffering will move you in one of two ways: it will break your back or bend your knee. Some people get bitter in trials; others get battered. But some people come out better, more refined with a story worth retelling. Sometimes, God will calm the storm; more often, He will calm His child in the storm. God Is in the Valleys: Between verses 4 and 5, the point of view shifts from speaking of God as "Him" to speaking to God as "You." David went from the ultimate to the intimate. Nothing matters more in a trial than knowing you are not alone; God is in the valley with you. The remote becomes relational. Look for the other set of footprints when walking through valleys; God is with you. The Valleys Won't Last Forever: The word through shows us valleys aren't our destination or residence but a transition. Beginning in verse 6, David shifts from the valley to being a guest in God's house. He anticipated walking through the valley and receiving God's blessing. The text references typical Middle Eastern hospitality: the buffeting of travel came to an end and the blessing began. The presence of a shadow means that light is nearby. Shadows never hurt us. In dark times, you will pass through the valley. As you do, look for its purpose---it's there, in the pain and stillness, a unique opportunity for rich fellowship with God. Christ went through the valley of the shadow of death and took the sting out of fear and death. His victory is ours as we go through life's valleys. Practice: Connect Up: How has God walked you through valleys in your life? Pastor Skip mentioned that when we are in valleys, we should "look for the footprints." What footprints have you seen as you've walked through valleys? What has God shown you in times of trial? Connect In: What practical things can you do to help your fellow Christians walk through valleys? How has your experience in a valley helped someone else? Connect Out: Pastor Skip referenced Winnie the Pooh in his message. How do you represent Christ to the world in times of trials? Are you Eeyore or Tigger? Are you pessimistic or optimistic? As you Page 2

3 trust God for strength in your trials, ask Him to use your trials to give you a chance to show Christ to others and to share about Him. DETAILED NOTES I. Introduction A. The valley of the shadow of death 1. A valley is a depression, a low spot 2. An emotional designation B. Psalm 23 is the most famous passage in the Old Testament 1. "This is the pearl of psalms whose soft and pure radiance delights every eye" Charles Spurgeon 2. Has more to do about living than dying C. The Shepherd Psalm 1. In Scripture, God's followers are referred to as sheep about 200 times 2. That is not complimentary a. Sheep cannot navigate well; Isaiah 53:6 b. Sheep need shepherds D. We're not sure when David penned Psalm Possibly written when he was an old man 2. His statement of life II. There Will Be Valleys A. "Even when I walk through the darkest valley" (v. 4, NLT) B. Psalm 23 starts off really great 1. Verse 4: the psalm takes a sudden turn 2. What happened? Real life C. Just as valleys are part of the natural landscape of the earth, so valleys are part of the landscape of the Christian life 1. Job 5: Corinthians 10:13 3. They're common, but they're never comfortable D. Shepherds lead their sheep into valleys 1. It's cooler in the valley 2. It's where the water is; the valley can sometimes be the way to the greenest of pastures III. There Will Be Dark Valleys A. Some valleys are darker than others B. The Bible speaks of valleys in terms of difficulties 1. Joshua, Isaiah, Hosea a. The valley of calamity or trouble b. Hebrew: the Valley of Achor 2. Psalm 84: the Valley of Weeping 3. Kidron Valley: the valley of the shadow of death C. Life at its lowest D. If you're a Christian, you don't need to fear death any more than taking a walk in a valley 1. You will come out the other end to a higher elevation 2. "Death is not the house, but the porch" Charles Spurgeon Page 3

4 IV. You Can Be Fearless in the Valleys A. "I will" (v. 4) is a choice 1. Fear is a choice; so is faith 2. One of the biggest adjustments you'll need to make in the valley is an attitude adjustment B. David was walking through the valley 1. Look around in the valley 2. Don't let the time in the valley be wasted time C. David was not denying that evil exists 1. Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy 2. Denied the existence of evil D. Job 1:21 E. Pain will either break your back or bend your knee: bitter, battered, or better F. Difference between death and the shadow of death 1. It's not the substance; it's the shadow of the substance 2. 1 Corinthians 15:55 3. The shadow remains, but the substance is gone V. God Is in the Valleys A. Verses 1-3: third person, about God 1. Verse 4: second person, directly to God in prayer 2. The ultimate becomes intimate; the remote is relational 3. When you go through dark valleys, spend most of your time talking to God B. "Nothing so quieted and reassured the sheep as to see me in the field. The presence of their master and owner and protector put them at ease as nothing else could do" W. Phillip Keller, A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 C. There's nothing worse when you're going through a valley than to feel alone; there's nothing better than knowing you're not alone 1. God will never leave you alone to fend for yourself 2. Matthew 28:20 3. David Livingstone 4. John 14:18 D. There's a unique presence of God to be known in the valley E. There are unique lessons to be learned in valleys 1. One of the reasons we suffer 2. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 F. As you're walking through the valley, look down for footprints of the Lord Jesus, who has gone before you and will walk with you VI. The Valleys Won't Last Forever A. Through (v. 4) designates a temporary nature B. God's not going to leave you in it C. Verse 5: hospitality of the Middle East 1. Protocol 2. The valley is over: experiencing God's goodness D. If life was a Winnie-the-Pooh episode, would you be Tigger or Eeyore? E. How do you view life? God? The valley? F. If there is a shadow, it indicates there is light 1. Your valley is not your permanent residence Page 4

5 VII. 2. It's not a destination; it's a transition 3. 1 Peter 5:8-11, The Message 4. The valley is temporary; heaven is eternal Closing A. Jesus spent time in the valley of the shadow of death 1. Garden of Gethsemane: at the bottom of the Kidron Valley 2. Matthew 26:39; Mark 14:36; Luke 22:42 B. When you call to Him in your valley, He has been there C. We write our troubles in marble and our mercies in the sand; we need to reverse that Figures referenced: Charles Spurgeon, Mary Baker Eddy, W. Phillip Keller, David Livingstone Cross references: Job 1:21; 5:7; Psalm 23; 84; Isaiah 53:6; Matthew 26:39; 28:20; Mark 14:36; Luke 22:42; John 14:18; 1 Corinthians 10:13; 15:55; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4; 1 Peter 5:8-11 Topic: Suffering Keywords: hardships, suffering, pain, valley of the shadow of death, death, depression, Shepherd Psalm, sheep, evil, heaven Page 5