From J. C. Philpot's Daily Portions
December 20 "There I will give her back her vineyards, and will make
the 'Valley of Achor' a 'door of hope'. There she will sing as in the days
of her youth, as in the day she came up out of Egypt." Hosea 2:15 Now the "valley of Achor" signifies the "valley of
trouble." It was the valley in which Achan was stoned. And why stoned?
Because he had taken the accursed thing; because his eye had been captivated
by the Babylonish garment and golden wedge, and he had buried them in the
tent. This may throw a light on what the "valley of Achor" is spiritually.
Perhaps you have been guilty of Achan's sin; you have been taking the
accursed thing; have been too deeply connected with the world; have done
things which God's displeasure is against. Let conscience speak in the bosom
of each. The consequence has been, that you have got into the "valley of
Achor!" Trouble, sorrow, and confusion are your lot, and you do not know
whether the lot of Achan may not await you there. Now it is in this "valley of Achor," or sorrow,
confusion, and fear, that the "door of hope" is opened. But why "in the
valley of Achor?" That we may cease to hope in self; that a sound and true
gospel hope may enter within the veil as an anchor sure and steadfast, and
there be no hope but in the precious blood of the Lamb, and in a sweet
manifestation of that blood to the conscience. This is the "door of hope"
through which the soul looks into the very presence of God; sees Jesus on
the throne of grace, the sprinkled mercy-seat, and the great High Priest
"able and willing to save to the uttermost." Through this "door of hope," by which Christ is seen, the
soul goes forth in desires, breathings, hungerings, and thirstings after
him; and through this "door of hope" descend visits, smiles, tokens,
testimonies, mercies, and favors. And thus, there is "a door of hope," no
longer barred, closed, and shut back, but thrown wide open in the bleeding
side of an incarnate God. Here is a renewing of visits almost despaired of;
of joys that seemed never to return; of hopes almost extinct; of
consolations remembered, but remembered almost with fear, lest they should
have been delusive. "There she will sing as in the days of her youth, as in
the day she came up out of Egypt."