Hills & Valleys

Featured Photo Courtesy of Aaron Carley

“…that you may know that I am the Lord.“ 1 Kings 20:13 (CSB)

When you hear believers talk about God being with us on the hills and in the valleys do you know where this reference is found in the Bible?

Would you believe it if I told you that we have it all wrong?

Well, I know some believers who absolutely know the context of this verse. But there are enough Christian praise songs that prove most people don’t really know the history behind the actual verse. This is an actual verse about God. Not about people’s spiritual highs and lows.

First of all, God is absolutely with believers no matter where they walk. The Holy Spirit lives in us and is with us everywhere. God is not absent. That is why we should be careful to walk only where we will glorify Him.

But the story of the God of the Hills and the Valleys is about God’s authority over two wicked kings. One was the king of Syria, Ben-Hadad. The other is a name you recognize. King Ahab, king of Israel. Both were godless men. But God’s intervention was on behalf of Israel, not the king.

Most importantly, God’s intervention was on behalf of His great name.

Then the man of God approached and said to the king of Israel, “This is what the Lord says: ‘Because the Arameans have said, “The Lord is a god of the mountains and not a god of the valleys,” I will hand over this whole huge army to you. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’” 1 Kings 20:28 (CSB)

Let’s pick up the story from here. Read the scripture to follow this story. 1 Kings 20

The power of God is not diminished by wicked leaders. And His power is not embellished by so-called “good” people.

It is essential for God’s people to deeply root His Word in their hearts. If we let the Bible collect dust, we will only rely on sermons, blogs, and songs from others to shape our beliefs. Every believer is responsible for reading Scripture for themselves.

“And you will know that I am the Lord.’”

Our God is in fact God of the hills and the valleys. Not just yours and mine. All of them. He is God almighty.

You see, God doesn’t rely on strong armies of human beings to achieve His divine plan. God sets up rulers and authorities at His pleasure. If Ahab had revered God as his King, he may not have faced the fearsome threat of the Arameans and the other thirty-two kings that allied with Ben-Haddad.

Regardless, Ahab learns his fate at the end of chapter 20. Does the name Jezebel sound familiar? I will leave that for you to read.

People down through the ages have learned the truth conveyed in Philippians 2:10-11. I bet you recall it. There was a day when these wicked rulers each faced the Creator of all.

One day, even Ben-Hadad and Ahab will bow before the Lord God and confess that He alone is God.

Everything we represent from God—words, deeds, or motives—should be guided by His Word alone. This is why it’s important to know God’s Word for yourself.

“Listen, Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Deuteronomy 6:4-7 (CSB)

Share the Good News in your world!

Isaiah 52:7

Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.