Thank You For The Valley . . .
For as long as man has penned works of his own thoughts, the valley has been considered a metaphor for “low” times. This idea has been used in poems, songs and in other types of literature. As discouraging times come upon folks, this is usually when people are least likely to be grateful, or to express thanks for whatever is happening in their lives.
In 1966, the song writer Dottie Rambo wrote a song with the title of this week’s article. Now, we know she was a denominationalist, and as such, the words of her songs did not always follow the Word of God. However, there are some that indeed express Bible Principle. Keep this in mind as you read the words of the two verses and the chorus below.
Verse 1
THANK YOU FOR THE VALLEY I WALKED THROUGH TODAY
THE DARKER THE VALLEY THE MORE I LEARN TO PRAY
I FOUND YOU WHERE THE LILY’S BLOOMING BY THE WAY
AND I THANK YOU FOR THE VALLEY I WALKED THROUGH TODAY
Verse 2
LIFE CAN’T BE ALL SUNSHINE OR THE FLOWERS WOULD DIE
THE RIVERS WOULD BE DESERT, ALL BARREN AND DRY
LIFE CAN’T BE ALL BLESSINGS OR THERE’D BE NO NEED TO PRAY
SO I THANK YOU FOR THE VALLEY I WALKED THROUGH TODAY
Chorus
THANK YOU FOR EV’RY HILL I’VE CLIMBED
FOR EV’RY TIME THE SUN DIDN’T SHINE
THANK YOU FOR EV’RY LONELY NIGHT
I PRAYED ‘TIL I KNEW EV’RY THING WAS ALRIGHT
AND I THANK YOU FOR THE VALLEY I WALKED THROUGH TODAY
The term “thanksgiving” is found twenty-eight times in twenty-seven verses of the King James Bible, and not once is this Word associated with a November holiday. I don’t say this to disagree with, or speak against this holiday, but to show that the term is to have real meaning in the lives of the people of God.
But how many people are grateful for the “lows” in life. True, there are times when difficulties occur such as loss of life, loss of employment or the means of providing for family, or other things. But more often than not, folks will not only be unthankful, but many will blame God during such times.
It is a fact that God does not cause these things. James 1:17 tells us that God is the source of all that is good. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. We should be always thankful to God for all that is good.
Are the “valleys” good? Is there a benefit in the “low times” of life? Of course there is! These benefits may be hard to see, but it’s there none the less. Romans 1:21 shows clearly why many fail to see the benefit. Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. This also doesn’t mean that God sends these “low times” or the conditions which produce them. The good that God provides exposes the bad as Isaiah 45:7 indicates. I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things. The light God created manifested (made known) the darkness. The peace God provides in His Word manifests evil. The love of God exposes the hate of the world.
God’s people, should be thankful at all times as Colossians 3:15 directs. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Notice from 2Timothy 3:2-4 that the “unthankful” are listed with some very unsavory characteristics. The people of God are not to be like this. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
We know that 2Timothy 3:12 shows that Christians will indeed have to tread through the “valleys” of life. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But we also are assured that God will not forget His people as Hebrews 13:5 indicates. Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Not only are Christians to remain thankful to God, we should also show gratitude for our brethren who help us in our walk for the Lord. Whether to God or our fellow Christians, ingratitude is not good. As my father-in-Law, another song writer, once wrote in a song: “Ingratitude is another sin, that simply costs too much.” Be thankful, even for the valleys. God is always there for those who faithfully serve in accordance to His Word.
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
