Sometimes I sit down to write these devotionals and the song I have chosen does such a good job of expressing my thoughts, it's hard to expound upon it. Such is the case this time. The Whisnants have a song that is steadily climbing the charts. The song, "Even In The Valley" was written by Rebecca J. Peck and our own, Amy Unthank. I first heard the song when Amy played me a demo last Christmas when I was there. I liked it then. And every time I hear the Whisnant's cut, I love it more. If you've ever been through a trial that God walked with you, side by side, and carried you through it, you'll relate to this song.
"High upon the mountain, the sun is shining bright
My heart is filled with gladness here above the cares of life
But I've just come through the valley of trouble, fear and pain
It was there I came to know my God enough to stand and say,
"Even in the valley, God is good
Even in the valley, He is faithful and true
He carries His children through, like He said He would
Even in the valley, God is good."
Hallelujah!! So often the "heat" of the moment as we're going through a trial, can cause us to forget or loose sight of how faithful God is. But we need to have it vividly implanted in our spirit. When David was facing Goliath, he said, "The LORD, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." David had a track record with God. He had experience. He knew God was faithful.
In 1 Samuel 30, we are told that when David was greatly distressed that he "encouraged himself in the Lord his God." (KJV) The Amplified Bible says he "strengthened and encouraged himself in the Lord his God." David was so troubled, he didn't think he had a friend in the world. It was just him and God. But that was enough. He encouraged himself in the Lord. If you look time and time again through the Psalms, David cries out about how terrible things are, but before he ends, he's confessing that God is going to come to his aid, that God is going to deliver him and give him the victory over his enemies or situation. David had a "faith journal" that he kept in his mind, where he kept track of how God came to his aid, time and time again. When he was in trouble, he drew on that. That's how he encouraged and strengthened himself in the Lord. He remembered what God had done for him, over and over again, and he knew God would do it again. Remembering those victories that God came through stirs up your faith, and wells up in your heart, and you can encourage yourself in the Lord.
"This road of life has led you through a valley of defeat,
You wonder if the Father has heard your desperate plea.
But there is hope in that rugged place
Where tears of sorrow dwell
Can't you hear Him gently whispering
"I am Here and all is well'"
We all know that being a Christian doesn't mean that you'll never face a challenge again. But regardless of what you may be facing; regardless of how big that giant seems to loom in front of you; encourage yourself in God. He hasn't left you. He's right beside you. And He is working all things together for your good. Stir up your Faith. Kindle your Hope. Strengthen and ecourage yourself in the Lord your God, because"
"even in the valley, God is good!!!
Blessings,
Bob
"Even In The Valley"
Words and Music by Rebecca J. Peck and Amy Unthank
Thomas Peck Music
"Joy"
The Whisnants
United Independent Artist
Author: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Written: 04/30/2004
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Category: Monthly ArticlesDevotionals
Comments: 2
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Bob,
Thank you so much for conveying the message of Even in the Valley! I can speak for both Rebecca and I when I say that if this song was written for no one else but us, then it was still worth it! GOD IS GOOD, even in our deepest valleys!! 
Amy Marie
“If somebody makes me laugh, I’m his slave for life.”—Bette Midler
I wrote this in the midst of losing my family and my buisness:
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