Christian Living

FOR EVERY MOUNTAIN THERE'S A VALLLEY

by Charles (Chuck) Robey
09/20/22
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PROLOGUE

It was the early 70’s, I believe. Our little family was traveling through the Appalachian Mountains on vacation. Our two young daughters were sitting in the back seat, trapped and being held hostage (in their own minds) there in our little VW Bug with no air-conditioning. As we traveled up through the Blue Ridge Parkway, we decided to visit Mount Mitchell.

[Mount Mitchell is the highest peak of the Appalachian Mountains and the highest peak in mainland eastern North America, about 19 miles northeast of Ashville, N.C. Mount Mitchell's elevation is 6,684 feet (2,037 m) above sea level.]

When we arrived at the summit it was as if it had been raining, except with no rain. The entire landscape was soaking wet and covered by a deep fog. Simply walking around was a challenge to our breathing. We really enjoyed the experience. It was a very nice adventure.

The valley scenery below, as we traveled in the Smokies and on the Blue Ridge Parkway, was specular, a true sight to behold.  One side effect of our mountain vacation not welcomed by my wife and kids was that I could talk for miles around by my CB radio in the car.

Yes, for every mountain, there is a valley, even in today’s culture. The current American landscape is swiftly evolving into a progressive array of political mountains and valleys. The mountain/valley theme is a perfect image of America’s today’s demographics and socialist mindset.

“Furthermore, I have seen under the sun that in the place of justice there is wickedness and in the place of righteousness there is wickedness.” (Ecclesiastes 3:16)

So, unless you have been hidden under that proverbial rock, you are probably aware of such struggles within America’s politically motivated ups and downs of our great republic of America, the land of the free and the home of the brave.

We the People are faced with fighting for our very existence, in a war of many battles, of good versus evil, (Ephesians 6:12) There are those who seek to pervert our Declaration of Independence and our Constitutional rights as well.

America is no exception to this divine rule. America will not escape judgement until it gets rid of sin. So, I ask you, plainly speaking, is America now under national judgement? Take any number of intended or even unintended events such as an economy collapse, a weather emergency, chaotic insurrections, division within God’s church, divisions within governments, even divisions among its people, and its families.

We know that national judgment comes as a result of disobeying the ordinances of God. (Read the Fifth Chapter of Jeremiah)  And what do you have, eventually? National judgment.

According to the Bible, in reference to this blog, Leviticus Chapter 26 is given as the main focal point. This chapter is not only for Israel, but for the United States of America today as much as it was in the days of Moses! We have a dictated blueprint of America's national judgment.

I wholeheartedly suggest you read Leviticus Chapter 26 in its entirety. This Scripture  gives one of the clearest interpretations of warning in the Pentateuch. It is reiterated more emphatically later on in the 28^th chapter of Deuteronomy. The Israelites did not heed this warning and they paid a severe penalty for doing so. What about today’s America?

I feel America has progressed to being under judgment from the very beginning of being a free nation, just like every other part of God’s creation. You see, everything is under judgment because judgment simply means that God is involved with all aspects of our creation, which includes the mindset of today’s liberal socialist America.

The Bible is very clear with respect to the laws and principles of our living Creator, God. Some pending evil laws, which are within many of America’s liberal socialistic mindsets, apparently seem to be well documented and supported.

Only now, as never before, has America been so quick to foster that liberal lifestyle and culture. To have moved so swiftly away from our founding Biblical laws and principles is disturbing to the discerning mind.

So with respect to this brief faith-based interlude, let us move on. Here we have yet another parable, an earthly story with a heavenly meaning, within a fictional article entitled “For Every Mountain, There Is A Valley.”

(Proverbs 6:16-19 NIV) “There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to Him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.”

I don’t rightly know if I can properly convey how unlikely it was that it happened to me, a well-respected professor of Religion at our local Bible College. I tend to doubt blogs of this nature, however, it did happen to me.

You see, although I’m known for my dreams or visions, this one was most unusual. I had no idea what to expect or what was happening.

It was late evening. I was in my apartment, slouched on the couch watching television. My entire life began to fade into silence, and then my apartment faded away into my dream.     

I was standing in a valley, looking up towards a great mountain. It was a windy day and robust gusts were swirling strongly about me.  

In front of me, overshadowed by the mountains was a big rock. It appeared to be empty, just fixed there surrounded by the undergrowth of the valley. I turned my head for a moment, hearing a rushing noise. When I looked back, there was a man of distinguished character sitting on the rock. He appeared to be in his later years, and his hair was snow white, as was his beard. He was wearing a garment from out of the past. He was dressed as a soldier, with a sword at his side. His open backpack was lying loosely by his side. He slid over a bit and motioned for me to join him, so I did.

This man in the dress of yesterday, with a sword strapped by his side, what does he represent?' I silently wondered. 

"Who are you?" I asked aloud. “Matter of fact, I don’t even know where I am, nor how I got here. I surely don’t know who you are, dressed for battle.”  

“But you seem to know me. How did you hear of me?” he countered.

Without saying another word he gestured for me to join him and away we walked, upwards through the thicket and on to a rugged mountain path. It seemed like an eternity that we hiked along but finally we both were standing on the mountain summit, looking downward.  There was a quaint little village in the valley, with no movement to be seen. It had gradually become night during our climb, but there were no flickering lights or moving traffic. All was still below us.

“What do you see?" he asked.

“Not much,” I replied, “Just a small quaint village, but it seems to be dead.”

 "Did you happen to see, as you were walking upwards along the mountain side, the evidence of an ancient civilization?” he queried.

“As a matter of fact, I did," I responded, "but there's nothing much to see now.”

“It once was a thriving metropolis, one noted for being both a religious and a freedom-loving culture,” he went on.

“What happened to it, if I may ask, kind sir?" I asked.

“Well, I’ll tell you, my good man," he answered. "This once-thriving mountain was taken over by a regressive and socialistic culture. Religion was tossed aside, as was the freedom-loving patriotic spirit. Soon the villagers had to flee for their lives.”

“What happened to those who took over? Where are they now?” I questioned.

“It was simple. It didn’t take long for the cultural know-it-alls to destroy themselves from within. And now you see the final results down below,” he concluded. "All that's left is the village below. The reason for the lack of activity is because of the on-going inflation and the increased cost of living brought by the invading culture. They can no longer afford the necessaries of life, and are now in a survival mode."   

We both were silent for a time. As the cool mountain air swept across the mountaintop, we both stood speechless. My tour guide had laid down his backpack on the ground, and using it as a pillow, he seemed to relax from it all. I started to do the same.

But what I had seen and heard made me forget my weariness. Hearing a noise, I looked over, and he was suddenly gone in the twinkling of an eye. When he disappeared, the mystery had ended, and so did my unexpected adventure.   

But what was the next revelation to be? I was still on the mountain, but the scenery had changed. I found myself in a gathering of our church's small group. We were having an evening vesper service around a bonfire. All of us had our Bibles in hand and were standing jointly together in prayer. What a contrast! If our group only knew what I had seen!

There was no more ruined mountain civilization, and no quaint valley city. Just us church folks in praise and worship. It was surely a mountain top experience.   

For sure, I’ve got to spread the word. We, as a people and a freedom loving nation, cannot afford to wind up as the village people in my dream did.  For every mountain, there is a valley. And you surely can’t get to the mountain top, without going through the valley. (Psalm 23:4)   

EPILOGUE

So, what about it, America? Where do we stand, as a people and a nation?

As in (Psalm 23:4) We the People have a divine Shepherd, who protects us, His sheep, with His rod in His hand, to fight off the wild beasts, and He brings back the straying sheep with His staff. Can we parallel this divine promise to that of today’s America? I think so.

According to Dr David Jeremiah, “It seems clear that God does have a plan for America. It is true that we have no direct reference to that plan in the Old and New  Testaments, but that does not discount the fact that God has a sovereign purpose for America in His redemption plan.

“Clearly, America did not become the land of the free and the home of the brave by blind fate or a set of circumstances. A benevolent  God  has been hovering  over this nation from its very conception.” 

President Ronald Reagan believed God has a plan for our nation. He wrote, “I have  always believed that this anointed land was set apart in an uncommon way, that a  divine plan placed this great continent here between the oceans to be found by people from every corner of the earth who had a special love of faith and freedom.”

So, has God giving up on us, His people? Absolutely not! God always has a plan for us, His people, and for America. (II Chronicles 7:14)

Can we now say with confidence, “God Bless America”? I think so!

Now, more than ever before, it's time to roll up our sleeves and go to work, for the gospel, for our country, and for its people. Amen! (Isaiah 52:10)

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