Praise the Lord!
Yes, give praise, O servants of the Lord.
….Praise the name of the Lord! Psalm 113:1 NLT

********

A couple of weeks ago I quoted a prayer from a book a dear friend had loaned me a few years back and this week another dear friend brought me a copy! It was very thoughtful of her to do so, and I am eager to delve into its words once again.

(If you’d be interested in obtaining a copy, here is the title and it is linked to Amazon with all the particulars – The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions.) 

******

I don’t know about you, but I far too often struggle with my humanity. I’ve gone for lengths of time in my life, with a clear vision of God before me and my greatest intent is to follow and abide in His presence and by his directives. But over time it seems my resolve softens, and those times are looked back upon fondly, yet not enough to move me to return to the determination I once espoused.

When I began journaling back in 2015, it was at a point of transition in my life. The mindsets that controlled me were worn and no longer fulfilling. It was like wandering through the shallows in my relationship with God, being unwilling to throw myself headlong into the depths of His love, wisdom, and mastery over my life. But at that point in my life, I had had enough and jumped in with all the vim, vigor, and resolve that I could muster. I believe it is time to do so once more.

I would pray that you would be moved to join me. Step out of the shallows with me, won’t you?

****

The preface of the book is challenging in and of itself but, today, we’ll look at the introductory prayer from which the book gets its name – The Valley of Vision. I would encourage you to not hurriedly read through it but to resolutely read each line. It might even be helpful to pray a prayer before you read it asking God to open your heart and mind to what He would have you glean from it.

THE VALLEY OF VISION

LORD, HIGH AND HOLY, MEEK AND LOWLY,
Thou hast brought me to the valley of vision,
….where I live in the depths but see thee in the heights;
….hemmed in by mountains of sin I behold thy glory.

Let me learn by paradox
….that the way down is the way up,
….that to be low is to be high, that the broken heart is the healed heart,
….that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit,
….that the repenting soul is the victorious soul,
….that to have nothing is to possess all,
….that to bear the cross is to wear the crown,
….that to give is to receive, that the valley is the place of vision.
Lord, in the daytime stars can be seen from deepest wells,
….and the deeper the wells the brighter thy stars shine;
Let me find thy light in my darkness,
…………………thy life in my death,
…………………thy joy in my sorrow,
…………………thy grace in my sin,
…………………thy riches in my poverty,
…………………thy glory in my valley.

Aug 14th, 2022, Sun, 7:14 pm