Valleys: Part 2

Below is but a small measure of revelation that my father had received from the Lord. I hope this will be a blessing to you. All that is written below are the words of my father.

May 5, 2022

In loving memory of my father
Robert Louis (Bob) Padgett
July 28, 1931-May 22, 2023

In our previous message we shared some thoughts about valleys in general and then about the Rose of Sharon and the Lily of the valleys, both of which speak about the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ. Then we shared a few verses from the Song of Solomon and the 14th chapter of the book of Hosea. Among other things, we mentioned that the dew from heaven speaks of the amazing grace of God. One of the most amazing things that I personally received from that message last week is that the Lord has built resurrection life into all nature, even plants of corn, which can be revived simply by removing all of the dead leaves and supplying the water of life again to the plant.

In our message tonight I want to first of all share some thoughts with you about the valley of decision, which is mentioned only once, in Joel, Chapter 3 and verse 14. Then we will share a few thoughts about the valley of Achor, primarily from Hosea, Chapter 2.

As an introduction, we should not try to interpret Scripture based on traditions of men or by using our natural, logical reasoning. One of the functions of the Holy Spirit is to shed light on the word of God. In addition, we also need to look at Scripture in context. Now let us consider The Valley of Decision.

Joel 3:14, "Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision."

Many evangelicals have drawn from this passage to challenge audiences to "make a decision" for Christ. That plea is usually preceded by some soothing song or hymn, such as "Just As I Am," which hopefully will stir the emotions of the audience and help to persuade some to "come to the altar" and receive Jesus into their heart. However, that is not what Joel 3:14 refers to. That is another example of humanism ... where we decide if we want to be a Christian. That promotes a man-centered religion and results in a mixed multitude in every church. Moreover, if the way we are born-from-above is based simply on our decision, then we don't need our conscience, which is part of our spirit, or the Holy Spirit to convict us of sin. Unless God calls us, we cannot go to Him. The good news is that many are called. The bad news is that few are chosen because few choose. Jesus said, in John 17:6-10, 

"I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee. For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me. I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them." 

The word "decision" throws us off course, because it has come to mean something different now than it did when the KJV was translated. In reality, the words "decide" or "decision" never appear in the New Testament. The only possible exception is in 1 Corinthians 6:5, 

"I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?" 

The word "judge" can be translated as "decide" or to "separate thoroughly."

The valley of decision is the same as the valley of Jehoshaphat, which occurs only twice in the Bible, in Joel 3:2 and Joel 3:10. Geographers tell us it is not a natural, physical location in the middle east; it is the spiritual place where God is to execute judgment on His enemies. The name "Jehoshaphat" means "the Lord judges" or "the Lord is judge." The context of Joel 3 clarifies that this is a time when God judges the earth. Joel 3, Verse 2 says, 

"I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the valley of Jehoshaphat. And I will enter into judgment with them there, on behalf of my people and my heritage Israel." 

It is God who is making the decision, not the multitudes - separating the wheat from the chaff, a "threshing" if you will. Only He knows the hearts of men. We have to judge by the sight of the eye and the hearing of the ear. He reads the heart. The "valley of decision" in Joel 3:14 is not about humans choosing whether or not to accept Christ; it is God handing down His decision of judgment at the end of the tribulation. Wickedness will be dealt with decisively, swiftly and justly. Joel's prophecy of the valley of decision finds its New Testament counterpart in the separation of the sheep and the goats as recorded in Matthew 25:31-46. In the parable of the good seed and the tares, Jesus said, in Matthew 13:30, 

"Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn."

The focus of Joel 3 is on the future day of the Lord. This time will include a gathering of the nations (verse 2), a judgment on wickedness (verse 13), and when the sun, moon, and stars shall be darkened (verse 15).

Immediately following the prophecy of judgment, Joel transitions to a description of the Lord's millennial reign, a literal 1,000-year time period that follows the tribulation. During the millennium Christ rules as king. Many passages, including Joel 3:18-21, describe this time in great detail. Further, Revelation 20:1-7 refers to "1,000 years" six times. It seems that God desires us to know that the millennial kingdom is a literal time period. This should be of great interest to every true believer in Christ, because Scripture indicates that only the overcomers, the remnant, will rule and reign with Christ on earth for a thousand years.

All of what we have just shared does not mean that born-again Christians have no decisions to make. Quite the contrary. When God created man, He gave man a free will. Angels also have free will, otherwise no angel, like Lucifer, would ever have fallen. God could have created robots ... those who would always do His will, but apparently that would have given Him no pleasure. God so loved the world that He created ... God said everything that He created was very good. God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Because we have a free will, we always have a choice. The natural man always chooses things for his own personal benefit. After man is born from above, he still has a free will. Sadly, too many professing Christians still choose things for their self, based on what we think will result in our greater personal benefit. That is called human nature. That is also called unbelief. Although we may all say that we want to do the will of God and that we want the Lord to make our difficult decisions for us, our actions often indicate something different. 

Romans 2:13, "(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified."

We all make decisions every day. Some of our decisions are rather inconsequential, such as what clothes should I wear today or what, if anything, should I eat for breakfast this morning. Many long years ago a Christian woman was in our home one day. She had not eaten any food for a while. My wife asked her if she would like to make a sandwich for herself. She said "yes," so my wife got out plenty of food to make a nice sandwich. The woman stood in the middle of our kitchen, looked up to the ceiling, and said, "Lord, shall I put the mayonnaise or the mustard on the bread first?" We said nothing but I doubt that the Lord cared which of the two she put on the bread first. Other decisions are much more important, such as who we should marry, if anyone; what job should we pursue; where should we live; and what church should we attend.

About 25 years ago I read a large book by Janis and Mann titled, "Decision Making: A psychological analysis of conflict, choice, and commitment." That book is considered a classic and presents a general descriptive theory of decision making under stress. After I read that book, I recognized that I do not make decisions based on the model the authors present. Therefore, as part of a graduate course I was taking, I wrote a 32-page paper describing the spiritual aspects of decision making.

Jesus, as a Man on earth also had a free will.

Luke 22:39-43.


39 And He came out, and went, as He was wont, to the mount of Olives; and His disciples also followed Him.

40 And when He was at the place, He said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.

41 And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed

42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.

John 4:34, "Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of Him that sent me, and to finish His work."

Hebrews 10:7-9, "Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. Above when He said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; Then said He, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that He may establish the second." 

 

Matthew 7:21, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven."

Matthew 12:50, "For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother."

About 10 or 12 years ago I met a good brother at our local post office and he invited me to visit the church in Washington, D.C. that he attended. One Sunday morning I went to that church. A middle-age woman was the teacher. At some point she said that it was possible for Jesus as a Man to sin. Then her mother interrupted and said that no, Jesus could never have sinned. The mother then said that she was the pastor of that church and that whatever she said was true. The rest of that gathering was consumed with the arguing back and forth between the daughter and the mother. I wanted to get up and leave, but I endured all things. However, I never went back to that church. Perhaps we should ask that same question. Was it possible for Jesus, as a Man, to sin? My answer is yes, of course, Jesus could have sinned. Like us, He had free will, either to do what is right or to do what is wrong. He had taken on the humanity of man. He was tempted to anger at the hypocritical Pharisees. The devil is not stupid. He may know more scripture than we do. After all, the devil was in the presence of the Lord before God created man. Also, if Jesus could not sin, then there was never any need for Him to be tempted, but we know that He was tempted by the devil 6 times ... 3 times as recorded in Luke, chapter 4, which then says the devil ended the temptation for a season, and then 3 more times as recorded in Matthew, chapter 4, after which the devil left Him. Although Jesus could have sinned, He never did. 

2 Corinthians 5:21, "For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him."

1 Peter 2:20-25, "For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth: Who, when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed himself to Him that judgeth righteously: Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed."

Jesus said, in John 7:17, "If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself."

It is no secret that Christians argue about the doctrinal significance of a number of Scriptures. From John 7:17, apparently that implies that some Christians do not will to do His will. There will come a decision in which the true believers will be separated from those who were not sold out to God.

What is the "decision" that we born-again Christians must make from time to time? It is the same decision that man has always been faced with. It is the same decision as in the time of Moses, recorded in Deuteronomy 30:15-20. 

15 See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil;

16 In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it.

17 But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them;

18 I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it.

19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

20 That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey His voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto Him: for He is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.

Exodus 32:25-26, "And when Moses saw that the people were naked; (for Aaron had made them naked unto their shame among their enemies:) Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the LORD'S side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him."

The people were naked ... they were not clothed upon with the garments of righteousness provided by the Lord. Aaron had made them naked. Aaron yielded to the will of the people rather than the will of God. This may prophesy of the "ministers of the house" (Ezekiel 44) who have not fed the people with the whole truth of the Gospel.

2 Corinthians 5:1-4. 

1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:

3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.

4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.

The decision always is, "Who is on the Lord's side? Who is "all in" that the Lord might have His way?" Only the sons of Levi gathered themselves to Moses. That is why, "And He shall purify the sons of Levi" (Malachi 3:3). What about the sons of the other 11 tribes? They have been, are, and will be in the valley of decision. Further, what happened to all of those 3000 folks who did NOT step forward and declare they were on the Lord's side? They were slain with the sword (Exodus 32:27-28).

We read of this same truth with respect to Elijah.

1 Kings 18:21, "And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word."

Amazing! The people answered him not a word! Then (1 Kings 18:22-38) the power of God was demonstrated in a mighty and dramatic way through Elijah. After the people saw that demonstration of the power of God, "they fell on their feet, and they said, The Lord, He is the God; the Lord, He is the God" (1 Kings 18:39). Then the false prophets were slain.

The event with Moses speaks of the Law; the event with Elijah speaks of grace, based on our decision. Under the Old Covenant, only a few responded to the Law of God through Moses. Only a few responded to His grace until they saw the power of God being manifested through Elijah. Human nature has never and will never change. But it is better to fall on the Rock now than to have the Rock fall on us later! 

17 And He beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?

18 Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. Luke 20:17-18

Malachi 3:16-18, "Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon His name. And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. Then shall ye return, and discern [see clearly] between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not."

There is a vast difference between those who serve God, and those who joyfully bask in the sunshine of His forgiveness, and neglect the personal refinement which He offers to them.

2 Timothy 2:19-21, "Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, the LORD knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work."

Our churches are made up of two companies of people - one within the other. Like an expectant mother, there is a smaller body within the one which is presently carrying it. This smaller group are the overcomers of the seven churches in the Revelation of Jesus Christ. They are individuals within the corporate body who are meeting God's requirements for their lives in the day they are living. They have made Jesus their LORD in reality. They are more concerned with what His Word requires of them than they are about church buildings, ceremonies, rituals, programs and social activities connected with the present set up.

The corporate body is not yet meeting those requirements - never has - never will. It has a huge "machine" running, and it requires so much energy (money, time, maintenance, etc.) to keep it going - there is very little being accomplished other than fueling and maintaining machinery. Personal consecration to the will and nature of God in the life of the individual has fallen by the wayside. That energy is now required to fuel the "machine," which has become big business. We must now sign petitions, march in a demonstration, and write our congressman, instead of "praying through" to personal victory. Only the Lord knows how many millions of dollars have been spent in law suits between opposing factions within the same church to see who gets to control the machine. Many churches of the larger variety are having difficulty hiring financial and technical employees because the would-be employees could get more pay working in more worldly jobs.

Run-of-the-mill Christianity will never attain to becoming an overcomer, and there are very few promises given to this class of believers. The promises are to the overcomers. Overcoming is not as easy as it sounds, and we can certainly not do it in our own strength. We must have the Spirit of God actively working in our lives, guiding, strengthening, and energizing us.

Overcomers are usually outside the camp of organized religion because they simply do not fit into the modus operandi. "As many as are led by the Spirit of God - "

The Valley of Achor

When the Israelites were about to plunder Jericho, the epitomy of evil, the Lord warned them not to take any of the natural plunder from Jericho. However, Achan, of the tribe of Judah, trespassed by taking some silver and gold and a garment from Jericho. That kindled the anger of the Lord and Achan, his family, and all his possessions were destroyed in the valley of Achor, which means the valley of trouble.

Joshua 22:20, "Did not Achan the son of Zerah commit a trespass in the accursed thing, and wrath fell on all the congregation of Israel? and that man perished not alone in his iniquity." 

Wrath fell on ALL the congregation of Israel! That verse emphasizes the importance of each member of the body of Christ. 

1 Corinthians 12:22-26, "Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it." 

Isaiah 65:8-10. 

8 Thus saith the LORD, As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one saith, Destroy it not; for a blessing is in it: so will I do for My servants' sakes, that I may not destroy them all.

9 And I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah an inheritor of my mountains: and Mine elect shall inherit it, and My servants shall dwell there.

10 And Sharon shall be a fold of flocks, and the valley of Achor a place for the herds to lie down in, for My people that have sought Me.

Hosea 2:14-15. 

14 Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her.

15 And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt.

Hosea 2:14 declares God's elect company to be scattered in the wilderness; and the rest of Hosea 2 corresponds to the gathering, as in Isaiah 40. Notice that the Lord says, in Hosea 2:15, that He will give His remnant in the wilderness "the valley of Achor (trouble) for a door of hope." The Lord today has scattered His remnant into the wilderness for the same reasons as in Isaiah 6, when Isaiah was allowed to see the glory of God, after which he repented. But the Lord is using suffering, trouble, and difficulties of all kinds to press those in the wilderness into Christ. He is refining His remnant in the wilderness as silver is refined by the fire.

The eighth beatitude is, Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs IS the kingdom of heaven ... present tense.

These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. 

John 16:33

Why will believers who are walking in kingdom principles be persecuted? Not for any crimes they have done, and not for being unrighteous and committing the acts of those who practice evil or wickedness, but because of their righteous and Godly conversation and Godly actions which in turn brings upon them the hatred and enmity of the men of the world. For by living righteously believers separate themselves from the world and profess themselves not to belong to the world. The Godly life of true believers places a brand upon them that distinguishes them from the rest of the world.

There is much evidence that millions of Christians around the world have been martyred for their faith. Those who live in the United States may think that the idea of persecution of Christians is not very relevant today. We are not experiencing much persecution here in this country. But as you look around in this country, you can't help but see many great evil inroads that have been made into destroying anything having to do with Jesus Christ, the Bible, or the laws of God. The greatest assaults against Christianity have been the many laws that have been passed recently, all with the idea of suppressing Christianity in all areas of society.

But why is there such persecution in the world, and why is God so offensive to so many? because the Word of God is a stumbling block to ungodly people. The reason why ungodly men persecute Godly men is because of the spirit that the Creator has placed within each one of us. When the unbeliever sins, the Holy Spirit is convicting the spirit of that sinner and this causes the sinner to know that he is doing wrong and that his actions are against the laws of God.

Jesus told us in John 3:20 that, "Everyone who does evil hates the light," This can be summed up by another verse in John 15:20. "If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you." 

If we are not being persecuted, we should ask, "Why?" It is our Godly life that causes the other person to get heated up, upset, and unhappy. The truth is, everyone who lives a Godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. If no one is persecuting us, perhaps we are not living the Christian life and shining as lights in the world.

In Luke 6:26 Jesus said,

"Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets."

It is very true that persecution is one cost of being a Christian, because the believer must reckon upon hardships and troubles much more than other men. But even though persecution usually isn't pleasant, it does have a great many rewarding advantages, not the least being that ours is the kingdom of heaven.

Up to this point we have implied that the persecution against believers who are walking in the kingdom comes from those in the world. That is certainly one large aspect of the source of persecution. However, persecution also arises from other Christians. Historically, each new generation of believers, who have been exposed to more light, have been persecuted by the older generation.

12 For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him:

13 But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance.

14 We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.

Psalm 55:12-14

Those verses refer specifically to Ahithophel, who had been David's counselor, but who conspired with Absalom to overthrow the reign of David. However, they have a general application. Who crucified Jesus? the religious elite of the day. One of the end-time signs is recorded in 

Matthew 24:10, "And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another." 

1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By Whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. Romans 5:1-5

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. 

2 Corinthians 12:10

2 Timothy 3:10-12. 

10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,

11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.

12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

The Lord willing, our next session together will focus on the valley of vision, the valley of Baca, and the valley of the shadow of death. May we be encouraged as the Holy Spirit guides, strengthens, and refines us as we travel through our valleys. The Lord never purposed that we stay there forever.

The circumstances of your valleys and my valleys are different and personal. However, the end product is the same, Christ in you the hope of glory.