Day 308 The Valley of Decision

 

11/4/2025

"The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;

He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect.

The counsel of the LORD stands forever,

the plans of His heart to all generations.

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,

the people He has chosen as His own inheritance."

Psalm 33:10-12

I awakened early again this morning in expectation of the day, wondering how things would turn out, knowing God holds the whole world in His hands. His most capable hands. Reading through the psalms reminded me of the goodness of God and of His faithfulness to those who love Him. Not that I need to be reminded of that fact, but the psalms roll over the tongue like life-giving water, bringing refreshment to a thirsty soul. Psalm 34 says "I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth." On a morning when all the earth stands still, holding its breath, praise seems the right thing to do. It stills the heart, brings comfort to the soul, rejoicing and shouts of joy! Worship is the best when alone in the quiet of early morning when the only ones astir are me and my Beloved. What joy shall fill my heart!

I spent some time on the Prayer Watch with Kehilat HaCarmel in Israel, worshiping and listening for the voice of the Lord as we prayed for the needs of Israel. Tuesdays are special times tuning in to listen with others who live stream the watch. Although I am not there in person, I can feel the love and fellowship of this small group of intercessors and visitors who are in Israel stopping by to pray. Times are still uncertain there as life is always uncertain in this small country. But we stand our ground, positioned on the wall of prayer, and as believers in Jesus, we know how the end of the story turns out. 

Here in America on this day when people are headed to the polls to vote, I wait in prayer, going about my day, waiting. Today will be a day of decision, but I wonder how many realize the significance of this moment in history, prophetically speaking?! I've spoken how I feel, how I know God feels about His chosen people, and the results will affect the Israeli-American citizens directly. New Youk City has a large population of Jewish Americans, and with antisemitism rising greatly in that area, the results can prove very discouraging and detrimental for many. Here in Virginia things are not hopeful, but sadly God allows people to get what they want or think they want. It seems no one learns from history. I don't want to speculate. Too soon. But the blind ignorance of trusting people grieves my soul. Like sheep to the slaughter, no presence of mind except to follow the leader.

God speaks of the Valley of Jehoshaphat in the end times where God will gather the nations and bring them down into the valley to enter His judgment with them. They will be judged according to the way they treated His people, His heritage Israel, whom they scattered and divided up the land, His land that He chose to give to Israel. It's a sobering call in the end times. It's a call to all nations who have tried to exercise judgment or control over the people of Israel.

"Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. The sun and moon will grow dark, and the stars will diminish their brightness. The LORD also will roar from Zion, and utter His voice from Jerusalem; the heavens and earth will shake; but the LORD will be a shelter for His people, and the strength of the children of Israel." (Joel 3:14-16)

I'd say the Lord put it very clearly, as Paul did in Romans, Chapters 9-11, but no one sees, no one listens or wants to hear the truth. But soon...!

Notice the image above, a child with her balloon held loosely in her hand, her mind obviously burdened for one so young, leaning against the wall to support her weary body. The shoes on her feet are way too big, suggesting someone expects more of her than she is able to give. The streets are long and empty, lifeless suggesting the loneliness she obviously feels. I'm certain she has a multitude of thoughts passing through her too young mind, carried on her small shoulders, supported by small feet in much too big shoes. All that's missing is her suitcase and perhaps a teddy bear, a ragged one from so much love, clinging to it in the cold, abandoned nights, afraid to sleep. But here I am speculating again. But my heart goes out to the children of today. They have to bear way too many burdens, experience things beyond their years to know, afraid, confused, not knowing what's so or not so. Truth is a sparsity these days. But we'll see what tomorrow brings. I hope she can rest more easily if given proper rest and shoes that fit.