Dwight L. Moody’s favorite verse was Isaiah 12:2: “I will trust, and not be afraid.” He used to say: “You can travel first-class or second-class to heaven. Second class is, “What time I am afraid, I will trust.” First class is, “I will trust, and not be afraid.”” That is the better way. Why not buy a first-class ticket? (Ps 56:3). [1]
The Psalmist David had gone first class as we read in the most familiar psalm: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4 NASB95) [2]
He knew that we would all have to go through valleys in this life, the last one being the valley of the shadow of death. We can find many in the bible that had to go through their valleys. Elijah had one of the greatest miracles then suffered depression. The apostle Paul suffered many things. He went hungry, suffered beatings and imprisonment plus other things but went through it all to bring others to Jesus Christ.
We are not all promised riches. Some of the people in the bible were rich but not that many. Kings David and Solomon had their riches but they had their valleys also. Jesus did not have a home to call his own. Peter and John did not have any money to give the beggar but they were richer than most people there in other ways. They healed the lame man.
Job lost all that he had but still trusted God with his life. Habakkuk says something similar to what Job said: “Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vine; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, 18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation. The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He will make me as surefooted as a deer and bring me safely over the mountains.” (Habakkuk 3:17-19 NLT) [3]
Put all your trust in the Lord God Almighty and do not fear. YOU may be going through a valley but there is a mountaintop waiting for you. Go first class!
By Dean W. Masters
Unedited redistribution approved.