On the Mountain Top or in the Valley, God Is Near

Author: Ayodeji Oludapo

Date: October 29, 2024

Scripture: "Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." - Psalm 23:4 (NIV)

Devotional Thoughts

Have you ever found yourself believing that God is not present when you are in the valley? Often, it's easy to feel His presence when everything is going well—when we are on the mountain top of our lives, enjoying moments of joy, success, and peace. But when the tides change, and we descend into the valley, facing trials, challenges, or loss, it can feel as though God is far away, uninterested, or perhaps even absent.

I remember a time when I was overwhelmed with health challenges. My body was weary, my heart was heavy, and in the depths of my struggle, I truly felt abandoned. I questioned whether God was interested in my valley experience. I thought perhaps He had distanced Himself from my pain. But it was in that valley that God spoke to me clearly: "I am the reason you are still alive." It was a moment of profound realization. In my weakness and confusion, God was right there—sustaining me, holding me, and reminding me that His presence was never contingent on my circumstances.

David understood this when he wrote Psalm 23. Whether on the mountain top, enjoying green pastures, or in the valley of the shadow of death, David knew that God was with him. God's presence does not waver according to our situation. He walks with us in moments of triumph and in the depths of despair. The valley is not a place void of God; it is a place where His comfort becomes more real and tangible. In the valley, we often come to know His closeness like never before.

Practical Reflections

When you find yourself in the valley—facing sickness, financial struggles, loneliness, or loss—remember that God's presence is constant. The valleys are often where we grow the most, where our relationship with Him is deepened, and where we learn to lean into His strength. God uses those low places to teach us, shape us, and remind us of His enduring faithfulness.

Look back at the valleys in your life. How often have you come through them and realized that God was with you the entire time, guiding you, comforting you, and giving you strength to endure? The key is not to run from the valley but to recognize that God walks beside us. The valleys are not places of abandonment; they are places of divine companionship.

Closing Thoughts

Whether on the mountain top or in the valley, God's promise remains the same: He will never leave you nor forsake you. The mountain top is where we celebrate His goodness, and the valley is where we experience His sustaining grace. Today, let us be encouraged that God is with us in every season, in every moment, and in every place.

Prayer

Father, I thank You for being with me on the mountain tops and in the valleys of life. I confess that sometimes I doubt Your presence when I am overwhelmed by challenges. Help me to recognize that You are always near, that You are my constant source of comfort and strength. May I learn to trust You more deeply, no matter what season I find myself in. Amen.