sinned against the Lord God of Israel." Achan appears to have truly repented of his sin. He felt his guilt, confessed it, and found pardon. God calls for real confession, and to real confession God promises forgiveness. "If we confess our sins." (1 John i. 9.) Think of Achan, his deceit, his detection, his death, and remember that God will not bless us unless we put away sin. Notice viii. I. As soon as the evil is put away God gives glorious encouragement to Joshua. "Fear not... arise, go up to Ai: see, I have given into thy hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land." The valley of Achor is a sad picture. May it humble us, and lead us to search our own hearts and homes, and see if there be anything which God hates and abhors. "Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit." Thank God, there is a bright side to it. The valley is dark with sin; but there is a door of hope, and through this door a bright light shines. "The valley of Achor for a door of hope." (Hosea ii. 15.) "Turn you to the stronghold, ye prisoners of hope." (Zech. ix. 12.) "We are saved by hope." Have you seen this door in the valley? "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture." Some one may say, "Ah, I know what sin is. I THE VALLEY OF ACHOR. 21 have felt the burden, I have had great trouble; but I have not seen a door of hope." May the Holy Spirit show you the door of hope. If works of faith and labour sweet of love Look up! The light is streaming down into the valley-the light to show you Calvary, if you have never been there. The Holy Spirit would point you to the Sin-bearer, so that the burden of sin will roll away when you see Jesus, your Saviour, your Sin-bearer. But Jesus is also your burdenbearer. Roll thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee. He knows your trouble, your sorrow. He is just the Friend you need at this moment. "Casting all your anxiety upon Him, for He careth for you." The valley of Achor becomes a place of comfort. Hosea ii. 14: "I will allure, and bring into the wilderness, and speak comfortably." (Margin, speak to the heart.) That is why the Lord has brought you into the valley. You would not listen to His voice before, you were so busy. Have you heard His voice of love, of pardon, of comfort? Has it reached your heart? "At first I would not listen, but put off till to-morrow; But life began to darken, and I was sick with sorrow, And I thought I heard HIM say, The valley of Achor becomes a place of singing. Hosea ii. 15: "Shall sing there." How beautiful! This speaks of joy, praise! Ah, how little we praise God. Is there a song of praise in your heart? It will not only do you good, but help and encourage others. Praise God for what He is, and for what He has done. There is as much in the Bible about praise as prayer. "Our heart shall rejoice in Him because we have trusted in His holy name." "O sing unto the Lord a new song: sing unto the Lord, all the earth. Sing unto the Lord, bless His name; show forth His salvation from day to day." "O sing unto the Lord a new song; for He hath done marvellous things." "I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live." "Oh, sweetly rise Our morning-songs to God, in whose great Light And through the long bright Day There is no silence, for at every hour Some soul is praising God. THE VALLEY OF ACHOR. Whilst we are sleeping, those to whom the King Are waking in His Temple, and the eyes Are lifted up to Heaven; and sweet low songs, 23 The valley of Achor becomes a place of rest and safety. Once more mentioned in Isaiah lxv. 10: "The valley of Achor a place for the herds to lie down in, for my people that have sought me." Rest, peace, and safety! Do we know what it is to "rest in the Lord"? Do we know that deep heart-peace which is deeper than circumstances, stronger than time? Rest and peace, not only because of the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ, which saves us from the guilt of sin, but also resting in Him as a living, personal Friend in everyday life-trusting moment by moment to Him to save from the power of sin, and to keep us above the many little troubles and worries which come upon us. There are three things necessary before sheep will lie down. They must be secure, they must be satisfied, they must have good pasture. Frightened sheep stand and crowd together; hungry sheep never lie down. They cannot really enjoy rest except in good pasture. There are some precious thoughts for us here. Take the promise, "The needy shall lie down in safety." (Isa. xiv. 30.) What a blessed promise to rest upon. It comes right down to us in the valley, and brings us rest and peace. There are many promises which seem too high for us; we have to climb up to get hold of them. This one is within the reach of all. Just for needy ones! That is just what we are; so we may take it to our own hearts. "My people shall be satisfied with my goodness." (Jer. xxxi. 14.) "I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down.” (Ezek. xxxiv. 15.) “They shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid." (Zeph. iii. 13.) "He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters." Dear believer, perhaps you have forgotten your resting-place (margin, “place to lie down in.") (Jer. 1. 6.) You will thank God if the valley of trouble draws you nearer to Him, and proves to you by blessed experience that He is the God of the valleys. God grant that the valley of Achor may be to us a door of hope, a message of comfort, a place of singing, of rest and safety. "The mistakes of my life have been many, The sins of my heart have been more, And I scarce can see for weeping; But I'll knock at the open door. "My mistakes His free grace will cover, And the feet that shrink and falter Shall walk through the gates of day.” |