FOOD FOR TEEN: THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH

Dear teens, Have you ever wondered why "bad things" sometimes happen to good people? Why that strong brother or sister in Christ goes through some terrible situations and unbelievers or even wicked people even have it easier? First and foremost you must understand that it is the will of God that every believer must at some point face trials and tribulations, 2nd Timothy 3:12, "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." But they are not built to destroy a Christian, they are built to strengthen us, 2 Timothy 3:11, "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."

When you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, you must know that God IS WITH YOU, the reason why many people's heart fail them in tough times is because they think God has forsaken them (Psalm 23:4). Most time when we go through dark situations God is ushering you into a new day, because, every new day starts in darkness before dawn, so when you encounter dark and terrible situations just know that God is about to do a new thing in your life. No wonder James 1:2 tells us, "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;" This is why you must first offer up the sacrifice of thanksgiving and worship to the Father when you face trials, thank Him for He's about to take you to a new level of glory, thank Him specifically for the situations and magnifying Him above the problem.

Next you must accept that hard times come because of your errors (either your actions or inaction), don't begin to justify yourself or harden your heart towards God when you find yourself in this position, Hebrews 3:8, “Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:" That's why we ask for mercy when we come before the throne of Grace, Hebrews 4:15-16 says, "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."

Job stayed long in his affliction because he didn't figure this out on time, that was why Elihu told him Job 34:31-32, "Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have borne chastisement, I will not offend any more : [32] That which I see not teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more." This is the kind of humility God exalts, if you keep justifying yourself you make God a liar, which is why 1 John 1:10 says, If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." And as soon as job understood this, Job 42:6 says "Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes." God began to give instructions that turned his captivity around.

There's something in you that God tries to correct during this process, you must allow him take away the impurities in you and bring out the gold in you, so therefore listen attentively to His instructions through prayers and fellowship with His word, during this time be sensitive to what He wants you to correct, the children of Israel erred in their hearts and died in the wilderness because they refused to learn His ways. Next, ask for His Grace to help you through this time, I guarantee you, you will come out shinning like never before because His strength is made perfect in our weakness.

God bless you and see you next month.