God of the Valley

During the reign of wicked King Ahab in the Old Testament, the king of Syria decided to attack Israel.

You would think Ahab was finally about to get what he deserved, but God showed him mercy.

God granted Ahab victory over the Syrians.

Why?

Previously, Ahab was described as being more wicked than all the kings who came before him. He stood by while his wife, Jezebel, massacred hundreds of God's prophets.

Why would God grant this man mercy?

I don't know the full answer to that question, but I know it's a picture of God's infinite grace. If God could give a wicked man like Ahab multiple chances to turn toward God, He will do it for anyone.

Ahab's victory was so unexpected and overwhelming that it took even his enemies by surprise.

And in their confusion, they made a huge mistake—one that we're all prone to make.

They reasoned that they lost the battle because Ahab's God was a god of the hills, where the battle took place, but not a god of the valley.

So they raised another army and attacked Israel in the valley, where they supposed God would not be present.

But God, who is Lord of the every hill and every valley, gave Israel an even greater victory there.

Psalm 24:1 states:

"The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters."

God is Lord of the hill. He's Lord of the valley. He's Lord of the countryside and He's lord of the city.

God is even Lord over wicked people, like Ahab, and nothing in the affairs of men escapes His gaze or His reach.

To be even more specific, nothing concerning your affairs or life escapes Him.

If you're like me, we can sometimes relegate God to a certain role or "bucket."

We think, "God will do this, or God will do that, but not that ..."

We assign God a place that's way too small.

God can't be contained, and we have to stop trying to put Him in a box. There's no zone of your life that's off-limits to God, unless you say it is.

My challenge for you this week is to think about where you might be limiting God in your life.

Is there an area in your life or a dream that you've given up on? If God gave grace to Ahab, He certainly has much love stacked up for you.

If you would turn to Him in prayer and expectation, I believe victory is also in your future!

Wayne