09/05/2026
In the faith, we do not live only on mountaintops. Faith is lived moment by moment, day by day, in a daily relationship with our God and our God with us. The mountaintop moments are wonderful, but we cannot build our faith on those moments alone, because the valleys will come.
And when they do, when we have to walk through valleys that seem as dark as death itself, we need to know that God is with us. But if we have not been speaking with God, listening to God, walking with God, and building that relationship day by day, those valleys can shake us. We can begin to stray. We can begin to wander away.
The time to learn to walk with God is not only when the valley comes. Walk with Him today. Talk with Him today. Know Him today. Then, when the road grows dark, you will know the One who is walking beside you.
And who is this God who is with us?
The prophets spoke of the One who was coming. Matthew tells us His name would be called Emmanuel, which means “God with us.” God came near. God dwelt among us in Jesus Christ. He did not remain distant from the brokenness, pain, temptation, sorrow, and struggles of human life. He entered into our world and invited us to know Him personally.
Jesus said in John 10:10, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” That promise is not only about someday in heaven. It is about life in Christ now. A life changed by His presence. A life given purpose, direction, hope, peace, forgiveness, and strength. And through Him, the promise of everlasting life.
Jesus tells us who He is. “I am the bread of life.” He offers living water to the thirsty soul. He is the First and the Last, the beginning and the end. He is the great I AM. Whatever the valley, whatever the need, whatever the darkness, Christ is enough.
And the invitation is not reserved for a few. Scripture says, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Anyone can call upon Him. Anyone can come to Christ. Anyone can surrender to Him and begin to follow Him.
What does that mean? It begins by turning toward Jesus Christ, trusting Him, asking for His forgiveness, giving Him your life, and choosing to follow Him. Then speak with Him. Read His Word. Listen. Obey. Trust Him in the ordinary days, not only in the desperate ones.
For thousands of years, men and women have done exactly that, and their lives have been transformed. Christ changed them, and then worked through them. Families were changed. Communities were changed. Their influence reached people they would never meet, and in many cases that influence continues generations later.
That is what a life surrendered to Christ can become.
So when the deep waters come, He will be with you. When the valley becomes dark, He will be with you. When the pain becomes more than you thought you could bear, He will be with you. He will guide you, sustain you, strengthen you, and when necessary, carry you through.
We do not live on mountaintops.
That is why we need Jesus Christ not only for the mountaintop, not only for the valley, and not only for eternity, but moment by moment, day by day.
Emmanuel. Jesus. God with us.
No wonder we call Him our Savior.
