Friday, May 14, 2021

Valley of Baca

 

Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, Whose heart is set on pilgrimage.

As they pass through the Valley of Baca, They make it a spring; The rain also covers it with pools.

They go from strength to strength; Each one appears before God in Zion.

     Psalm 84:5-7 (NKJV)

These three simple verses give a lovely picture of the Christian walk.

 Strength in God

Our strength is not in our abilities or efforts, but in the Lord, for it is Christ who strengthens us (Phil. 4:13).  Another passage says that God is the glory of our strength and that His arm shall strengthen us (Psalm 89:17, 21).

 Heart set on pilgrimage

Contrary to some popular teachings, this is not our “best life now.” True believers know that our best life is yet to come. We are just passing through this world as “sojourners and pilgrims” (1 Peter 2:11) on a journey towards our heavenly home. Our hearts are set on pilgrimage to follow Christ until He comes or calls us to be with Him.

 Valley of Baca

While in this world we will have tribulation, as Jesus said (John 16:33).  Our pilgrimage may take us through a Valley of Baca. Apparently, this was an actual valley near Jerusalem but it is also used symbolically as a place of sorrow, because Baca comes from a word meaning to weep.  In this psalm, it also implies a place of dryness, a barren wasteland.

 Springs of refreshment

Even during times of spiritual dryness, even when we’re in a season of sadness, God will bring springs of refreshment to our souls if we stay close to Him. The Lord says He “will open rivers in desolate heights, And fountains in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water, And the dry land springs of water” (Isaiah 41:18, NKJV).

 Strength to strength

Instead of being wearied while we sojourn through the Valley of Baca, we are refreshed by God’s all-sufficient grace if we will wait and trust Him. For “those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31, NKJV). 

When we are rooted in God’s word, we can weather these desert seasons and go from strength to strength. “Those who are planted in the house of the LORD Shall flourish in the courts of our God (Psalm 92:13, NKJV).  Are you flourishing today? If not, turn and trust in the Lord God Almighty and He will refresh you.

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