Saints, as we have seen these past weeks in our study of Luke 1-2, a choice is being set before us of two kingdoms. One is the kingdom of this world with all of its so-called power and wisdom. The other is the kingdom of Jesus, which is also one of power and wisdom but of a different sort. However, Jesus’ kingdom often doesn’t make sense to us because it is so contrary and paradoxical to what we have embraced as normal. It is why we must be born again and have the eyes of faith in order to see it and know it and live in it.

Some have called it the ‘upside down kingdom’. In that light, I share this prayer called ‘The Valley of Vision’, a well-known Puritan prayer that captures something of the nature of the kingdom we long for. May it reflect more and more the desires of our own hearts.

The Valley of Vision

Lord, high and holy, meek and lowly,

Thou hast brought me to the valley of vision,

where I live in the depths but see thee in the heights;

hemmed in by mountains of sin I behold thy glory.

Let me learn by paradox

that the way down is the way up,

that to be low is to be high,

that the broken heart is the healed heart,

that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit,

that the repenting soul is the victorious soul,

that to have nothing is to possess all,

that to bear the cross is to wear the crown,

that to give is to receive,

that the valley is the place of vision.

Lord, in the daytime stars can be seen from deepest wells,

and the deeper the wells the brighter thy stars shine;

Let me find thy light in my darkness,

thy life in my death,

thy joy in my sorrow,

thy grace in my sin,

thy riches in my poverty,

thy glory in my valley.