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In Psalm 104.10 we read, He sent

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at the springs into the valleys which run

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among the hills.

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The title of my message today, friends, is

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Springs in the Valleys.

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The life experience is comprised of ups and

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downs, highs and lows.

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An athlete can come off the best season

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of his career and then go into a

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slump that is inexplicable.

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We can be sailing along beneath sunny skies

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under pleasant circumstances and then quite suddenly out

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of nowhere comes an unforeseen storm that almost

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sinks our boat and leaves our sails torn

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and tattered.

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One day we can be in the best

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of health and the next lying on a

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hospital bed in the ICU.

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Life is full of mountains and valleys, so

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to speak.

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In the spiritual life, a mountaintop experience signifies

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a close encounter with God, like Moses up

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on Mount Sinai enjoying the presence of God

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for 40 days.

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But when Moses got off the mountain and

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climbed down back into the valley, the glow

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on his face began to dim and his

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troubles multiplied with the stubborn Jews.

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But our verse today, friends, is a special

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one of cheer to the hurting heart, for

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it is often in the valleys of our

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life that God does His deepest work.

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His promise to us through scripture today is,

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He sendeth springs into the valleys which run

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among the hills.

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Psalm 104 is a song of praise to

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the Creator of heaven and earth.

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The psalmist throughout this psalm is blessing and

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praising God for His wonderful works in creation

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and nature.

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The psalm nears its end on a high

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note by stating, I will sing unto the

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Lord as long as I live.

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I will sing praise to my God while

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I have my being.

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Well, there are three aspects I'd like to

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draw out of our text today, friends, from

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this remarkable text.

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Number one, the mountaintop versus the valley.

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Number two, the seasons of prosperity versus adversity.

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Number three, God's nearness in the valley.

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Well, let's look at the first aspect in

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the mountaintop versus the valley.

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In first Kings chapter 18, we had the

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remarkable account of the prophet Elijah atop Mount

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Carmel as he wins the contest against the

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prophets of Baal.

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But the false prophets call on their God

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and he does not respond because their God

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is an idol carved out of wood.

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Elijah, on the other hand, serves the living

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God who answers by fire and consumes the

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sacrifice.

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This mountaintop experience is soon followed by a

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death threat from wicked Queen Jezebel, and it

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isn't long we find the beleaguered prophet in

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a valley sitting beneath the juniper tree wishing

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he was dead.

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Whenever we have a mountaintop experience with God,

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it's common for a valley to follow, but

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we don't have to stay in the valley

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forever, for if we keep our eyes on

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God, we will soon forget ourselves.

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Remember, friends, that revival begins in a dry

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valley, as seen in Isaiah 44.3, which

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states, So this

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principle of the mountaintop versus the valley tells

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us that God can meet us at either

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junction.

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The key is to stay focused upon God

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and wait for Him to send the springs

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into the valley, springs of refreshing, springs of

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His Spirit.

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Secondly, we see the seasons of prosperity versus

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seasons of adversity.

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When everything is going our way and it

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seems everything we touch turns to gold, it

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can actually have a lessening effect on our

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spiritual life.

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For in seasons of prosperity, we tend to

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be more self-sufficient, more self-reliant, more

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self-absorbed.

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But it is in adversity and the trials

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of life when we are cast entirely upon

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God for deliverance.

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Times of adversity are self-emptying times when

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we realize our need and dependence upon God.

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In times of desperation, when all hopes seem

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to be hanging on a tattered thread, that's

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when God can move by sending springs into

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our valleys, springs to strengthen our faith and

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build spiritual maturity.

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And lastly, we see God's nearness in the

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valley.

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A God in my own life, friends, has

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been most near to me through the personal

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tragedies of my life.

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When nothing makes sense, you can sense Him.

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He is there beside you, comforting you, encouraging

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you, carrying you through that valley of despair.

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And quite suddenly, before you know it, amidst

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all the pain and suffering, springs begin to

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appear, springs which run along the hills.

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For God's word is true, and He is

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true to His holy word.

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No matter our outward circumstances, whether we are

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on top of the mountain or down in

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the valley, we can rest assured that God's

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providence will guide us, mold us, and make

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us more and more like Jesus.

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For He sent the springs into the valleys

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which run among the hills.

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Let us pray.