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.
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).
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.
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.
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).
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.