Looking for Victory in the Valley (Part 3 of 4)

By Justin Pratt, Clear Springs Baptist Church Senior Pastor

Looking for victory in a valley involves our pursuit of strength and purpose during life’s most challenging times. Valleys, symbolizing moments of hardship, loss or uncertainty, can feel like periods of defeat. This was the emotion David experienced when he returned with his men from Ziklag and found their town desolate. Their wives and children had been taken captive, and the town had been burned to the ground. The scripture in 1 Samuel 30 states that they wept until they had no more tears left to cry. They were in a valley of discouragement, yet it was from this deep and dark place that they found profound opportunities for growth.

Victory in such times is not always about overcoming the struggle immediately; rather, it is about finding resilience, learning and hope through the process. It’s often in the valley’s depths that we gain a deeper understanding of ourselves, develop a stronger connection to our purpose, and ultimately rise stronger and more determined. These are some of the qualities we see in David as he faces one of the most devastating moments of his life.

As we have already indicated, one of the ways David found victory in the valley at Ziklag was by strengthening himself in the Lord. He recalled past experiences where he had felt both the power and presence of God. In a moment of despair, David deliberately turned his heart and mind toward the goodness and grace of God.

Another important step David took was seeking wisdom from God. He desired insight, direction and discernment to navigate this perplexing situation, wanting his path to align with God’s will. Often, God teaches us valuable lessons in the valleys of our lives that we can’t learn without going through them.

A third powerful action David took during his discouragement in Ziklag was serving others despite his struggles. Valleys should never hinder our walk with God; instead, they position us to serve.

In 1 Samuel 30, we see that David follows God’s direction to pursue the army that had taken his family. During this journey, he encounters an Egyptian who is identified as a servant of the Amalekites. This servant was found in Ziklag, the very town that the Amalekites had invaded and burned down. The unnamed Egyptian was gravely ill and on the brink of death until David and his men discovered him. Instead of using him as leverage or punishing him for his association with the Amalekites, David and his men allowed their heartbreak to inspire them to help someone in need. They provided him with food and water and cared for him until he was well again.

This act of compassion teaches us an important lesson: it is crucial to continue serving God by serving others even during difficult times. Doing so helps us develop a deeper empathy for others who are facing their spiritual struggles. In 2 Corinthians 1, the Apostle Paul encourages us to use the grace we have received as an opportunity to assist others in overcoming their challenges. Often, it is by serving others while we are in a season of pain that God offers us the healing we need.

When we find ourselves in difficult times, it’s easy to want to give up and quit. However, the true challenge lies in allowing our burdens to become someone else’s blessing. Serving others during our hardships helps refine our character and shapes us to be more like Jesus. Even in His own time of despair, Jesus continued to serve others. On the night before He was betrayed, He took a towel and basin, knelt and washed the feet of those who would doubt, deny and betray Him. This act of service exemplifies that we reflect Christ most clearly when we love and serve others, even amid our challenges.

As we have learned so far, achieving victory in the valley is possible when we strengthen ourselves in the Lord, seek wisdom from God, and continue serving others even when we feel exhausted. There’s one more important insight I want to share next week. But for now, remember this: In the depths of your current or future valley, there is a purpose to be found, a resilience that can develop, and a victory waiting to be achieved.