The God of the Mountains and Valleys

The God of the Mountains and Valleys  
By Francis Frangipane

The battles we face are often intense times of weakness, distress, and confusion. If the events of our lives were charted, these would be the lowest points. Yet God is no less with us during difficulties than at other times. In fact, these valleys are often as much the plan of God as our mountaintop experiences.

There is a story in the Bible that speaks plainly to this truth. Israel had recently defeated the Arameans in a mountain battle. In 1 Kings 20, we read: "Then the prophet came near to the king of Israel and said to him, 'Go, strengthen yourself and observe and see what you have to do; for at the turn of the year the king of Aram will come up against you.' Now the servants of the king of Aram said to him, Their gods are gods of the mountains, therefore they were stronger than we; but rather let us fight against them in the plain, and surely we will be stronger than they." --1 Kings 20:22-23

Refiner's Fire

REFINER'S FIRE

Forged in the flames of adversity.

Welded in the cruicible of pain!

Tried in the furnace of affliction.

Birthed in the heat of the same.

Parched for God's Holy Presence.

Thirsty for His healing rain.

Yearning for dew drops of mercy

To quench the heat of the flame.

Love Never Fails

When I woke up this morning I asked, “What shall I wear?” I looked in my closet and there was a garment called Love. Love whispered to me, “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering” (Col. 3:12).  So I dressed myself in Love and stepped out into the world and was compelled by the Love I wore to go into the highways and byways. There I saw all manner of infirmities and felt overwhelmed by the need. But the Love that embraced me reminded me, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Phil. 4:13).