I’m Growing In This

I saw by night, and behold, a man riding on a red horse, and it stood among the myrtle trees in the hollow; and behind him were horses: red, sorrel, and white.

Zechariah 1:8

The valley.  Who wants to be there?  If we live long enough, we get to experience moments in the valley.  Some go through valley experiences more than others.  And the valley is not just reserved for Christians.  Saved and unsaved people spend time in low places.  Sunday’s sermon gave us insight on a vision of a valley and an angelic redeemer riding in on a red horse.

Zechariah 1:8 recounts a vision that the prophet Zechariah experienced.  He was not asleep and dreaming a dream.  Nope.  The prophet was given a vision for the children of Israel.  His series of visions were a challenge for Israel to rebuild the temple and to repent to restore their relationship with God. 

In this first vision, Zechariah sees a man riding on a red horse.  The rider is surveying the land.  He doesn’t just survey the mountains.  He takes time to go into the valley.  There may have been other trees in the valley, but the Bible doesn’t say that there are.  What the Bible does say is that there are myrtle trees in the valley.  And it also lets us know that the man stood among the myrtle trees.

Hearing that report is not earth shattering if you don’t understand what each figure and color represents.  I can’t lie.  I heard the verse and wondered how this was supposed to encourage me or help me push on a little further.  Hang in there.  Pastor dug deep and unearthed the treasures that are contained in this verse.

The myrtle trees in this verse are representative of the children of Israel.  Earlier, I talked about the children of Israel needing to repent to restore their relationship with God.  They also needed to get to work on rebuilding the physical temple.  Zechariah’s vision shows them just as they are.  They are in a valley.  A low place in their place in their relationship with God.

The red horse is symbolic of war and bloodshed.  The angelic man on the horse is our Advocate.  He rides in ready for battle.  Ready to set wrongs right.  A redeemer.  Standing among the children of Israel.  In the valley.

When I hear this, I get excited.  Yes Jesus!  Let me hop up on this horse behind you and ride right out of this valley.  I have spent enough time in a low place.  It’s time to be elevated!  Right?!?!  Wrong.  The Advocate doesn’t provide immediate relief.  He fights with the children of Israel.

Hold up…we still have to fight???  In the valley?!?! Yes.  The myrtle trees can thrive on the mountain tops, but they also can thrive in the valley.  They can grow there.  They can become strong there.  The big question is how I am handling my valley experiences.  Am I growing in them or am I remaining the same?

It’s fair to say that 2020 has provided unique challenges.  Everyone’s experience has not been the same.  Some have been unemployed while others are in desperate need of a break from work.  People have lost loved ones while some don’t even believe that COVID-19 is real.  Many scream that “Black Lives Matter” while others debate on the validity of the movement.  No matter what your experience has been, have you grown where you are?

We serve a God that allows us to thrive while we’re on the mountain tops and in the valley low.  He’s there.  Advocating for us.  Our response is crucial.  We can weep, wail, and moan.  Or we can get to work alongside Him.  I am not a fool.  That is often easier said than done, but we DO have a choice in the matter.  Are you going to grow in this?  I am.  #wepreach

Think of a challenging season in your life and answer these questions:

• What did your spiritual life look like at the time?
• How did you handle the challenges? Were you moody, upbeat, passive, defeated, etc.?
• Did you have a support system or were you handling it alone?
• Do you have a game plan on handling challenging seasons?
  • If not, take time to think of practical steps that you can take in trying times.