I will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope. (Hosea 2:15)
In the book of Joshua we read about the sin of Achan and the trouble it brought upon Israel. Achan sinned against the Lord and kept back for himself some of the plunder from Jericho. When he was found out, Achan was taken to the Valley of Achor and stoned to death for his rebellion against the Lord. The expression “Valley of Achor” grew into a proverbial phrase for all that causes calamity. But in our verse for today, we are given the vision of a holy hope from our God that should encourage us, regardless of the Valley of Achor that we may be facing.
All of God’s children find themselves in the Valley of Achor from time to time. Whether it is something we have done that brought us into it, or God has led us there for our good and His glory, the Valley of Achor is part of the Christian life. But the vision we are to have in the valley is not one of despair, but one of hope. To be sure, we sometimes find that God’s ways are severe, but they are always better than the way we would go ourselves. God uses everything, including our Valley of Achor, to strengthen us in our faith and grow us up into Christ.
What is it that you are facing today? Are the dark clouds of disappointment hanging over your head? Are the waves of challenge washing over your witness? Are the falling rains of your own rebellion washing away any sense of God’s loving presence? FEAR NOT! God said, “I will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope!” Listen to Him. Look to Him. Lean on Him. God is conforming you into the image and likeness of His beloved Son Jesus, and He will use everything at His disposal to accomplish that . . . including the Valley of Achor . . . which He will turn into a door of holy hope that leads you into His everlasting presence.
Remember, He who began that good work in you has promised to bring that work to completion. We can go weeks without food . . . days without water . . . minutes without air. But we cannot go one moment without hope.
Jesus has promised to set before you a door of hope. But you must make the choice to walk through it. Will you?
This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!
Grace for the Race 