At one time or another, all of us have experienced some really great spiritual, physical, and emotional times in our lives. A time when everything is going well: our health is good, the finances are okay, prayers are being answered, and God is seemingly blessing us in every way. We often liken these times of abundance and peace to being on the mountain, a time when we are spiritually strong or revived. Many of us have used the term “mountaintop experience” to describe times like this.
On the other hand most of us have also experienced times of testing and trials, a time when difficult circumstances seem to overwhelm us. We often call such a time as a “valley experience.” We have all experienced both the mountains and the valleys of life. Tracy Dartt wrote a wonderful song that effectively reminds us that our Lord is the “God of the Mountain,” as well as the “God of the Valley.”
“Life is easy, when you’re up on the mountain, And you’ve got peace of mind Like you’ve never known. But then things change and you’re down in the valley; Don’t lose faith for you’re never alone. For the God on the mountain is still God in the valley. When things go wrong, He’ll make them right. And the God of the good times is still God in the bad times; The God of the day is still God in the night
We talk of faith when we’re up on the mountain, But talk comes easy When life’s at its best. But it’s down in the valley of trials and temptations, That’s where faith is really put to the test.”
The inspiration for that song came from a battle story found in 1 Kings 20. The Syrians had attacked Israel in the mountains and were soundly defeated. The Syrians, thinking the God of Israel was simply a “god” like they were familiar with, told their king “Their gods are gods of the hills; therefore they were stronger than we; but let us fight against them in the plain, and surely we shall be stronger than they.” (1 Kings 20:23)
What a mistake that thinking was! The Syrians were once again defeated, this time in the valley, as predicted by the prophet of God who said:
“Thus says the Lord: ‘Because the Syrians have said, “The Lord is God of the hills, but He is not God of the valleys,” therefore I will deliver all this great multitude into your hand, and you shall know that I am the Lord.” (I Kings 20:28)
Wherever you find yourself today or in the future, be it on the mountain or in the valley, God is there. He is the “God of the Mountain” and the “God of the Valley.”
“And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.” (Deuteronomy 31:8)
“I have set the LORD always before me: Because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.” (Psalm 16:8)