Dealing with valleys and mountains

When a person receives the message that belongs to the ministry of Elijah in a worthy manner, every ‘valley’ in their life can be exalted and every ‘mountain’ can be brought low. Isa 40:4. The valleys in our life refer to the identity flaws and frailties that we have on account of sin, the influence of familiar spirits, as well as historical hurts. The mountains refer to our projections and their associated wealth, which have been accrued through trading within the economy of Babylon. These mountains are an impediment to our entry into the kingdom of heaven. As Jesus noted, ‘It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God … With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.’ Mar 10:25,27.

The apostle James addressed this implication of the ministry of Elijah, writing, ‘Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation [valleys exalted], but the rich in his humiliation [mountains brought low], because as a flower of the field he will pass away. For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits.’ Jas 1:9‑11.

The rich man glories in his humiliation because he is thankful that he is being rightly measured to the truth of his name as a son of God. The poor man rejoices in his exaltation because the identity frailties and flaws that undermine his capacity to meet and relate with others, and to express his identity according to his name, are being healed. He is no longer a victim of his circumstances and is able to make straight paths for his feet. Heb 12:12‑13.