Vision in the valleys

     Some sweet friends gave us a copy of The Valley of Vision, a collection of old Puritan prayers and devotions.  I have read the title prayer, "The Valley of Vision," many times and have long loved it.  But as I reread it tonight, the words seemed to jump off the page, for they perfectly reflected what God has done in our lives the past four weeks.
      It is late at night, and I just walked outside with old Moses and enjoyed the cool peaceful night air and the shining white half moon.  Amazing, I thought, all for free.  All for us.  All right here in my front yard... courtesy of a relentlessly loving Father.
     But as we stood outside in the clear, quiet night, the words of this prayer returned to me, and I thanked my Lord for bringing us into the darkness that we might more clearly see His glorious Light.  There is nothing like the valley to clarify your vision, strengthen your faith as you experience His presence and His power even in the depths, and enable you to rejoice more greatly in the mountain heights.  He is there, no matter what--valleys or mountains, depths or heights--and He is enough.  He is more than gloriously enough.
     So I hope you will allow these words to wash over you and give you strength and assurance whether you are in the valley or on the mountaintop.
 
Lord, High and holy, meek and lowly,
Thou hast brought me to the valley of vision,
where I live in the depths but see thee in the heights;
hemmed in by mountains of sin I behold thy glory.

Let me learn by paradox
  that the way down is the way up,
  that to be low is to be high,
  that the broken heart is the healed heart,
  that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit,
  that the repenting soul is the victorious soul,
  that to have nothing is to possess all,
  that to bear the cross is to wear the crown,
  that to give is to receive,
  that the valley is the place of vision.

Lord, in the daytime stars can be seen from deepest wells,
and the deeper the wells the brighter the stars shine;
Let me find thy light in my darkness,
  thy life in my death,
  thy joy in my sorrow,
  thy grace in my sin,
  thy riches in my poverty,
  thy glory in my valley.

Thank You for the valleys, Lord--where we more clearly see Your grace and Your glory.  Give us eyes to see and lips to proclaim Your praise, whether from the depths or the heights.  Thank You for Your continual goodness to us, every day, every night.  I'm heading to bed now, Lord, but I know You'll stay up and keep watch.  Thanks, Abba.  To God--the Lord of the valley and the mountaintop and everywhere in-between--be all the glory.