I understand how a valley feels and I know you do too, because you’ve been writing to me. Are you in a valley right now? Is someone you love in a valley? You understand how the silence can be loud. But I’ve also discovered that some of the sweetest songs I know can only be heard in the total stillness and quiet of hard seasons. Valley quiet.
When walking through the valley of the shadow of loss and not-knowing, we can’t help but strain to hear songs of peace. We beg for it, wait for it, cry for it, we search for it. Maybe God says to “let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak” (James 1:19) in part, because He longs for us to find a place of quiet. He knows we wouldn’t choose a valley trek if we could avoid it, but He so craves the chance to sing valley songs over us, to pour their comfort over us until it runs off of our chins and trickles down around our weary hands and feet.
When walking through the valley, those who listen will hear a valley song.
How will you know the strains of this song, this melody of hope, this tune of grace? Though you are certain you walk alone and unseen in the solitude of your trial, Jesus promises His presence whenever two or more fellow travelers come together in prayer.
“For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them,” (Matthew 18:20).
When I consider the seasons I’ve traversed, the memories of each are complemented by snapshots of tenderhearted traveler-friends who came alongside me to pray, to offer words of truth, or to be with me in the valley quiet. The low muttering of their encouragement makes for a background track accompanying each time of trial. Some of their voices raised with strength like thunder echoing through the deepest canyons of those seasons. Truly, God breaks the silence by singing His grace over us through the loving words and prayers of His people.
God sings a valley song over us through voices of His people lifted in prayer, encouragement, & truth. Listen for His song to break the valley silence.
Today you may be looking at the threshold of a valley journey, trying to plod through its long darkness, or believing you’re about to emerge into the light. Do you need to know how to pray? How about beginning by asking God to break the silence with the song-sound of prayer and uplifting words muttered or written or whispered by ones He sends to meet you in your valley?
- Ask God to give you 1 or 2 to pray with you.
- Go to where God’s people gather.
- Don’t hide your valley from others.
- Let God minister to you through His people.
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