And there

I will give her her vineyards

and make the Valley of Achor

            a door of hope.

               Hosea 2. 15

(Achor means trouble.

We've all been in that deep valley

    at one time or another.

But we are not stuck there.

In the bleak wilderness,

in the barren place,

in the valley of trouble,

even there

   God provides in unlikely places

   and in unexpected ways.

His mercy prevails

            even in the hard stuff.

God is faithful and reveals Himself.

Don't miss Him.

It is not that He has not shown up.

        He is already here.

We are the ones late

               to recognize Him.)

O LORD,

You are our help.

Help us to seek You

     in this bleak place.

Have mercy on us.

And provide, O LORD,

              Your strength in this.

Help us to not just

     seek an exit,

nor just get through this,

but to know You more.

Help us to walk toward

    Your door of hope,

                    even in this.

You have positioned us here

   to bring Your name

   and Your glory

      in unexpected places.