Glory Seed Devotionals, 2016: Year of the Blessing…
With Jesus it only gets better…
Shalom!
If you ever need a reason why bad things happen to God’s people here it is…
“Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. As they go through the Valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools. They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion.” (Psalm 84:5–7, ESV)
The Valley of Baca in bible dictionaries is referred to as “the Valley of Weeping” Smith’s Bible Dictionary defines it this way… Ba'ca. (weeping). The Valley of Baca. A valley in Palestine, through which the exiled Psalmist sees, in vision, the pilgrims passing in their march towards the sanctuary of Jehovah at Zion. Psa_84:6. That it was a real locality is most probable from the use of the definite article before the name.
The bible dictionaries say the Valley of Baca isn’t a real valley I disagree. While it may not be a real place in the lands of the bible it is a real place in our lives. It could be in a hospital room, a doctor’s office, the unemployment line, a funeral home, or a hundred or so other places.
On the outside the Valley of Baca appears to be a place to be avoided after all who wants their lives all messed up and in turmoil by “bad things”? Not me that’s for sure! However, because of a relationship with Jesus those “bad things” appearing on the outside are really “good things” on the inside and a reason to smile.
According to the Psalmist each Valley of Baca is not only a “proving ground” but a place of spiritual growth. One standout/life changing experience in the Valley of Baca for me occurred shortly after I was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis a elderly gentleman prayed that God would heal me. Immediately I prayed, “Not now LORD I am growing spiritually.” Myasthenia Gravis opened the gate to the Valley of Baca and reluctantly I began walking yet the further I walked because the Holy Spirit was walking with me I went from “strength to strength”. Years later Jesus answered the prayer for healing as the MG went into remission where it is today.
If you are in the Valley of Baca take heart Jesus is there with you so smile and believe in this promise, “Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.” (Psalm 126:5–6, ESV)
“May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us…”
GRACE and PEACE,
Gary
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Scripture quotations marked ESV "Are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved."
**Psalm 67:1, ESV