God of the Hills and the Valleys

In the Old Testament, the enemies of God's people made a serious error in their war strategy. Having lost a battle against the Israelites, the counsellors to the king of Syria said, "Their gods are gods of the hills. Therefore they were stronger than we; but if we fight against them in the plain, surely we will be stronger than they" (1 Kings 20:23).

When they were ready to attack the Israelites using their new battle plan, God had a surprise in store for them: "Then a man of God came and spoke to the king of Israel, and said, 'Thus says the LORD: Because the Syrians have said, "The LORD is God of the hills, but He is not God of the valleys," therefore I will deliver all this great multitude into your hand, and you shall know that I am the LORD'" (1 Kings 20:28).

The Syrians had the idea that God was a "territorial" God, that He was restricted in His ability to deliver His people. They thought that their God was only a God of the hills, but God wants us to know that He is the God of the hills, the plains, and the valleys!

Mountains were used by God for times of visitation and revelation when His glory was poured out in a special way. Mountains represent the good times in our lives, those events and experiences that empower us and launch us into the plan of God.

But God isn't just with us when we are on top of everything. He is also the God of the plains. The plains speak of what we consider to be the routine, ordinary, day-to-day aspects of our lives.

God so loved us that He disrobed Himself of all His glory and came down to us in our valley as a human. He died in place of us and shared His victory with us.

No matter what you're going through, I want you to know that He is not just the God of the hills, but He is the God of the hills, plains, and valleys. He is God in all times and all seasons of our lives.

Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me Lord; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.