Woe to you who are at ease in Zion,

Notice those that God is pronouncing “woe” to in the verse above. Desiring ease and comfort is a sin that is easy to attempt to justify. When we do desire ease and comfort, we are ultimately desiring for ourselves to be on the throne with an outlook of how we can be served. With a proper view of God we realize that He is on the throne and is to be served at all times, a life that is lived to constantly serve God will be a life that is rarely at ease in this world.

God has not called His children to be at ease in this world. Instead, He has called us to lift our eyes up and set our sights on things above. Everything in this life is worthless compared to the inheritance and hope that God has prepared for us in eternal life. He wants us to trust in Him and His promises instead of trusting in money, love or anything else that this world offers. Be assured that the ease in this world is only taking away from opportunities that God has given us to partake in His glory now and share in Christ sufferings.

When God is at the center of how we view everything in life then ease and comfort will still be our desire, but it is the ease and comfort that God has promised. As our hearts labor tirelessly for the Gospel we will be filled up and comforted with His Spirit. Making our ultimate goal to win souls for Him gives us an opportunity to present God as more glorious then any ease and comfort that can await us in this life. Therefore, let us run this race hard, know that at the finish line when we hear “well done good and faithful servant,” we will know that we have not missed anything.

And the Valley of Achor as a door of hope; She shall sing there, (Hosea 2:15)

Turning the Valley of Achor into a door of hope is no small feat. Historically the valley of Achor has been viewed as a place of judgment and destruction. How can a place of judgment and destruction become a place of hope? Only at the cross where Christ was troubled as our sin became His so He could be judged for us so that we can be heirs of hope.
The door of hope I find at Calvary where Christ was walked through His own Valley of Achor is where I sing because that is where God declared Himself to no longer be my master, but my husband. By His righteousness and justice my sins were nailed to the cross. Through His mercy and lovingkindness I’ve been brought into relationship with Him. In His faithfulness I have been betrothed to Him for all eternity.
Oh believer, do life’s circumstances have you placed in a Valley of Achor? Know that Christ was troubled for your sake so that you can lie down safely and rest in Him. Let the Spirit open your eyes and realize that your Valley of Achor is a door of hope. Your troubles are meant to lead you to God for you are His bride that He cares for and has orchestrated all things for your good. Embrace His mercy as He has drawn near and ready to not only, but also answer. He has shed His blood to win you for Himself, so how can He not do all else.