In the Valley He Restores My Soul

SUNDAY, JANUARY 17th, 10:30 AM SERVICE

NOTES FROM A SERMON PRESENTED BY DR. GREG SLOOP AT THE KANNAPOLIS CHURCH OF GOD. FOR VIDEO OF SERVICES, GO TO THE CHURCH WEBSITE, HTTP://WWW.KCOG.ORG, AND CLICK ON THE LIVESTREAM LINK TO VIEW LIVE OR FOR A REPLAY OF THE SERVICES. YOU MAY ALSO WATCH LIVE OR A REPLAY ON the DR. Greg SLOOP FACEBOOK PAGE. FOR AUDIO OF THE SERVICES, GO To THE WEBSITE, kcog.org, AND CLICK ON THE MEDIA PAGE.

May 21, 2023

Examples of Mountain Top Experiences

Moses Meeting with God on the Mountain

Exodus 19:20 (NKJV) Then the Lord came down upon Mount Sinai, on the top of the mountain. And the Lord called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.

David Worshipping on the Mountain

2 Samuel 15:32 (NKJV) Now it happened when David had come to the top of the mountain, where he worshiped God—there was Hushai the Archite coming to meet him with his robe torn and dust on his head.

The Lord’s House on Top of the Mountain

Isaiah 2:2 (NKJV) Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it.

• The mountain signifies 
  • victory
  • presence of God
  • exultation

Moses in the Valley of Migdol

Exodus 14:1–2 (NKJV) Now the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 2 “Speak to the children of Israel, that they turn and camp before Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, opposite Baal Zephon; you shall camp before it by the sea.

• God led Moses and the Israelites to a basin or valley next to the Red Sea.  There were mountains or ranges on either side of them, and the Red Sea before them.
• Pharaoh and his army came up behind them
• The pillar of smoke moved between Pharaoh and the Israelites and guarded them while Moses stretched out his rod over the Red Sea.
• The Sea parted and the Israelites walked across on dry land.
• When the army pursued, the waters came back together and drowned them all.

Joshua in the Valley of Aijalon

Joshua 10:12 (NKJV) Then Joshua spoke to the Lord in the day when the Lord delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel: “Sun, stand still over Gibeon; and Moon, in the Valley of Aijalon.”

• Joshua and the Israelites had made an alliance with Gibeon.  
• The kings of the Amorites made war against Gibeon, and Joshua and the Israelite army were called upon to defend them.
• Joshua and the army traveled all night to come to the aid of Gibeon, and fought all day side by side with them.  
• When the sun was setting, they feared they would not prevail in darkness, so Joshua asked for the sun to remain over their battle, which the Lord provided for about an entire day
• Joshua won the battle for Gibeon over the Amorites.

Gideon in the Valley of Jezreel

Judges 7:8 (NKJV) So the people took provisions and their trumpets in their hands. And he sent away all the rest of Israel, every man to his tent, and retained those three hundred men. Now the camp of Midian was below him in the valley.

• Gideon was called to fight the Midianites.
• He was afraid, and asked for a fleece, with which God confirmed the calling
• He was still afraid, and God allowed him to hear a Midianite tell a friend about a prophetic dream of Gideon defeating the Midianites
• God went with Gideon and they won the victory with only 300 men.  The Midianites were such a multitude that they were described as “innumerable (v. 12).”

David in the Valley of Elah

1 Samuel 17:2–3 (NKJV) And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and they encamped in the Valley of Elah, and drew up in battle array against the Philistines. 3 The Philistines stood on a mountain on one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side, with a valley between them.

• Saul led the armies of Israel into confrontation with the Philistines, but Goliath was a powerful obstacle.
• The challenge was to send a soldier to fight Goliath, and whoever prevailed would rule over the loser’s nation.
• Saul had no Champion until the teenager David showed up in the camp.
• He had no fear, for he had history upon which to build.  The lion and the bear were no match for David’s God, and neither would this giant.
• David’s heroism and trust in God won the victory for Israel.

• Questions for the Valley
  • What is your valley?
  • Who is your enemy?
  • What is your obstacle?
  • What is your need?

1. Moses’ Valley: Migdol
2. Moses’ Enemy: Pharaoh & His Army
3. Moses’ Obstacle: Red Sea
4. Moses’ Need: Miraculous Path of Escape

1. Joshua’s Valley: Aijalon
2. Joshua’s Enemy: Amorites
3. Joshua’s Obstacle: Darkness
4. Joshua’s Need: Daylight and Clear Vision

1. Gideon’s Valley:  Jezreel
2. Gideon’s Enemy: Midianites
3. Gideon’s Obstacle: Number Disadvantage and Fear
4. Gideon’s Need: Assurance and Strategy

1. David’s Valley: Elah
2. David’s Enemy: Goliath
3. David’s Obstacle: Size & Strength Disadvantage
4. David’s Need: Confidence (Faith) and Divine Enablement

• Observation from the Valleys
  • Moses needed the protection and miraculous intercession of God in the Valley of Migdol
  • Joshua needed the provision of daylight to win the battle in the Valley of Aijalon
  • Gideon needed God’s assurance to fight the battle in the Valley of Jezreel
  • David needed confidence in God to fight Goliath in the Valley of Elah

• What do you need in order to believe that God will give you victory in your valley today?
  • Rehearse the testimonies of past victories of your own and others
  • Pray and seek God for faith to believe

Ezekiel’s Valley of Dry Bones

Ezekiel 37 (NKJV). 1 The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. 2 Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. 3 And He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”
So I answered, “O Lord God, You know.”

A Prayer in the Valley

Psalm 23 (NKJV)
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.
3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

• Takeaway Thoughts
  • While the mountain may produce euphoria and a sense of victory, the valley builds trust, strength, and understanding
  • Your enemies, no matter how ominous, are never stronger than your God