The Bible Speaks - Words of Inspiration - Trust the process

[00:00:00] Let us pray, pray together on our knees

[00:00:07] Let us pray, pray together on our knees

[00:00:14] When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun

[00:00:21] Oh Lord, never see all the knees

[00:00:27] Welcome to the Bible Speaks with Elgin Carelock

[00:00:30] The Bible Speaks is a weekly ministry of Harvest International

[00:00:33] Our prayer is that the Bible Speaks will encourage you in your study of God's word

[00:00:38] You will be able to contact Elgin at the address given at the end of this broadcast

[00:00:44] And now, here's Elgin

[00:00:46] Welcome, welcome, welcome

[00:00:49] I greet you in the name of our risen savior Jesus the Christ

[00:00:53] And welcome you to Words of Inspiration

[00:00:57] Today we are continuing our discussion on turn and take your journey as written in Deuteronomy 1.7a

[00:01:10] And today's discussion will be about trusting the process

[00:01:16] Our scriptural inspiration comes from Psalm 23 verse 4

[00:01:22] Which reads,

[00:01:24] Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death

[00:01:28] I will fear no evil, for thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me

[00:01:35] The valley of the shadow of death represents a period of profound crisis or danger

[00:01:43] It suggests a deep, dark and intimidating situation where we sometimes feel confronted with the reality or fear of mortality, despair or significant hardship

[00:01:58] The imagery of the valley implies a low point surrounded by higher ground

[00:02:04] Which could be interpreted as feeling engulfed by an overwhelming circumstance

[00:02:10] When we are in the midst of the valley, the walls of the next peak seem so high and so far away

[00:02:17] But we must remember that we move from glory to glory or peak to peak

[00:02:23] And there's no way to get to the next peak without the valley

[00:02:27] While we are taking the journey, we are also becoming a higher version of ourselves

[00:02:33] The Apostle Paul sums up the Christian walk in 2 Corinthians 5 verse 7

[00:02:40] With a simple declaration, for we walk by faith, not by sight

[00:02:47] Remember the anchor scripture says, though I walk through

[00:02:52] Which indicates your time in the valley was not intended to be permanent, but only for a season

[00:02:59] And although that season can last years, it came to pass

[00:03:04] Reflecting on how God has worked in your life previously can bolster your faith and reduce doubt

[00:03:11] However, we must remember God's sovereignty as well

[00:03:15] In Deuteronomy 8 verse 2, it reads

[00:03:20] And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these 40 years in the wilderness

[00:03:28] That he might humble you, testing you to know what is in your heart

[00:03:34] Whether you would keep his commandments or not

[00:03:38] As you are taking a journey, there may come times when God wants to test you

[00:03:44] Or teach you a specific lesson which may come as a trial or valley experience

[00:03:49] But if we remember that we are all called according to his purpose

[00:03:54] Then we understand that there is a purpose for the valley experience

[00:03:59] And we must have faith enough to keep moving until we're out

[00:04:05] 1 Corinthians 10 verse 13, reading the English Standard Version

[00:04:12] 1 Corinthians 14, reading the English Standard Version

[00:04:43] 2 Corinthians 10 verse 13

[00:04:47] God being the architect of our lives knows what he built you for

[00:04:52] So trials are reassurances for us that we are more than conquerors

[00:04:59] That each of our lives are about loving God with all of our heart, soul and mind

[00:05:04] And using the valley times as a time of reflection

[00:05:08] Not trying to figure out what you did wrong to deserve it

[00:05:12] But understanding what God wants you to learn and how that knowledge can benefit the lives of others

[00:05:19] President Sisters, these scriptures collectively teach that trusting God when we cannot see what's next is an essential aspect of faith

[00:05:31] It requires relinquishing control and leaning on God's eternal wisdom and love

[00:05:37] Believing that he is working all things for our good

[00:05:41] Trusting God in uncertain times not only provides peace but also deepens our relationship with him

[00:05:49] As we recognize his sovereignty and care in every aspect of our lives

[00:05:56] I thank you once again for sharing this time with me and I look forward to our conversation on tomorrow

[00:06:04] Until then, God bless

[00:06:26] We look forward to hearing from you and invite you to write us at Harvest International

[00:06:31] Post Office Box 6690 Ocala, Florida 34478

[00:06:37] Again that's Harvest International Post Office Box 6690 Ocala, Florida 34478

[00:06:57] Thank you