In life we can have “mountain-top” experiences and “valley-low” experiences. Most of life is lived somewhere between these two extremes. But the truth is, since we live in a fallen, sinful world, it is more common for us to live in or near the “valley” rather than on the “mountain top.” In Mark 9 there are two stories back-to-back: the first story takes place on a high mountain where Jesus is glorified; the second story takes place in the valley where there is a demon-possessed boy and a desperate father. These are two very different stories, but whether we are on the mountain or in the valley… Jesus is right there with us!