>>>

Psalm 84:5-7 - Oh The Blessings In Walking With Jesus.

Psalm 84:5-7 (NIV) Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. 6 As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. 7 They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.

Psalm 84:5-7 (NLT) What joy for those whose strength comes from the LORD, who have set their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of refreshing springs. The autumn rains will clothe it with blessings. They will continue to grow stronger, and each of them will appear before God in Jerusalem.

Psalm 84:5-7 (MSG) And how blessed all those in whom you live, whose lives become roads you travel; They wind through lonesome valleys, come upon brooks, discover cool springs and pools brimming with rain! God-traveled, these roads curve up the mountain, and at the last turn - Zion! God in full view!

WORD STUDY

The "Valley of Baca" (or "Valley of Baka") is a place mentioned in Psalm 84:6 of the Bible, often translated as the "Valley of Weeping". It is interpreted both as a real geographical location near Jerusalem and as a metaphor for life's hardships, trials, and sorrows. The biblical passage describes it as a difficult, dry place that believers turn into a place of springs, with the early rain covering it in blessings, symbolizing how faith can transform hardship into spiritual refreshment. [Google AI re Valley of Baca]

INTRODUCTION

The pilgrimage to the Temple passed through the barren Valley of Weeping. The location of this specific valley has not been identified. Because the Hebrew word baca can mean "weeping," this may have been a symbolic reference to the times of struggle and tears through which people must pass on their way to meet God. Growing strong in God's presence is often preceded by a journey through barren places in our lives. The person who loves to spend time with God will see his or her adversity as an opportunity to experience God's faithfulness even more deeply. If you are walking through your own Valley of Weeping today, be sure your pilgrimage leads toward God, not away from him. [Life Application SB 2019]

COMMENTARY PEARL

Valley of Vision
   In the days of the conquest of Canaan, the Valley of Baca was known as a dry, waterless place where only balsam trees could grow. Some have called it "a place of weeping." However, when we trust God during dry, parched times, we can turn our valley of weeping into a refreshing "place of springs."
   My favorite Puritan prayer about valleys has seen me through many a dry place in my spiritual journey: "Lord, high and holy, meek and lowly, Thou hast brought me to the valley of vision... 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."[Arthur Bennett, The Valley of Vision]
   Psalm 23:4 says, "... though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil." We fear no harm in the valley because death can only cast its shadow on us. Evil has no grip on us. Truly, we find God's brightest glory in our darkest valleys.
   Lord, you are the Great Shepherd who leads me through every dark valley. I trust you to turn my valley of weeping into a place of refreshment and encouragement. [Joni Eareckson Tada Daily Devotional: http://www.joniandfriends.org/daily-devotional]

ILLUSTRATION

Strength to Strength
   If you were to serve as "my hands" for a day, I'd keep you plenty busy. I would need you to sit next to me at my desk and help with my correspondence and schedule. I might dictate a letter or article, challenging you to type as fast as I speak.
   Later on you could help me organize my books, photocopy pages, file copies, brew coffee, help me with lunch, empty my leg bag, and run a few errands. If needed an adjustment with my corset or catheter, you could help me lie down on the office sofa. And we'd be only halfway through the day!
   How would we accomplish so much work? Spirit-inspired energy! My assistant and I go from strength to strength. That means pausing in between projects to pray, pulling a hymnal off the shelf to sing praise songs before lunch, praying over the phone with someone who happens to call, even stopping for tea at four o'clock and reading a line or two of Scripture. Going from strength to strength in God's Spirit means pausing regularly during your day to allow God to refresh you. It is the only way to work. It is the only way to live.
   Remind me, Lord, to take many pauses throughout the day to think about you, to set my mind on you, and to be refreshed by you. Carry me from strength to strength. Amen. [A Word from Joni; Beyond Suffering Bible]

CLOSING THOUGHT

Strength to Strength
   When the lovers of God walk through times of deep suffering and grief, they dig deep to find a pleasant pool where others only find pain. There is a brook of blessing for those who press into the presence of God. There is more blessing than we can imagine. Even in the hardest times of our lives, we are never without him.
   May we grow stronger with every step forward, going from strength to strength with the help of the Holy Spirit. When we don't give up but keep living and moving, the grace of God goes with us. May we always seek the presence of God which is already with us, turning our attention to his nearness.
   Press on when things feel hard today, and more than anything, press into the presence of God. [365 Days of Courage by Sara Perry of Broadstreet Pub]

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY

Psalm 84:5, 6 - Oh The Blessings In Walking With Jesus.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2018/20180207-1350.html

Psalm 84:5 - Oh The Blessings In Walking With Jesus.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2015/20150416-2122.html

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

https://abible.com/links/