DAILY MANNA SATURDAY 21ST MARCH, 2020 – VIEW FROM THE VALLEY

DAILY MANNA

SATURDAY 21ST MARCH, 2020

  VIEW FROM THE VALLEY

TEXT:MATTHEW 11:1-15

KEY VERSE: “Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?” (MATTHEW 11:2, 3).

 It has been said that when a person is in a valley, he is in such low depths that he is unable to see all the great work of nature. The valley of depression disallows him a full-orbed sight of the beauty of nature.

 John the Baptist appeared to have slipped into that condition while in prison. He was suffering for his non-negotiable stand on marital purity. He had vehemently disagreed with Herod on his sinful decision to marry his own brother's wife.

 In anger, Herod jailed him, apparently expecting that the fiery "voice crying in the wilderness" would stand down. In bonds, John could not capture the great sky-reaching miracles of our Lord Jesus that confirmed Him as the long-awaited Messiah; hence, he sent two of his disciples to Jesus.

 The Lord did not upbraid His forerunner for his momentary doubts. He asked that John be showed the spectacle of "those things which ye do hear and see". Unprecedented signs, wonders and miracles were taking place: the dead were being restored to life; the blind were seeing; the lepers were being cleansed; the deaf could hear; the lame could now walk; and the poor had the good news of the kingdom of God preached to them. These were exploits that could only be attributed to the Messiah. Jesus needed not to say more to John whom he hailed as being "more than a prophet".

 What we view from the valley does not tell the whole story. The dwarfing scene in a depressed state contradicts heaven's sunny position that there is light at the end of the tunnel. So, when you are downcast with challenges that tend to cut you from the reality of God's promises, do not surrender to the low-lying shrub. Look up to the hills and tall trees pointing you to God. "I will lift up my eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD..."

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:The valley experience should lead you to the hills.

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