God’s people are happily heading for the Temple. They are already praising the Lord with all their hearts. They have a set destination and a firm determination to get there, however tough the journey. Part of it takes them through some very difficult terrain; the Valley of Baca.
The Valley of Baca was a stretch of desert. Baca means Tears. There are different opinions and descriptions as to where it exactly was, and of what it was like. It is translated in various ways, such as “the dry valley” or “the valley of weeping”. Putting together all the facts we certainly get the picture of a dry and thirsty place to be in. A place that can bring tears to your eyes. But how do people “whose hearts are set on pilgrimage” get through it?
Verse 6 puts a shout of praise in my mouth, and a “spring” in my step! “As they pass through the Valley of Baca they make it a spring, and the rain also covers it with pools”. Their message to us today is that a positive attitude of faith will get us through a negative circumstance, with the assurance that “If God is for us, who can be against us?” – Romans 8:31. It may be a dry valley when my faith is being tested, or a valley of weeping when tears flow over some loss. Whatever the situation, or however dry the valley I will ‘pass through‘.
So; don’t allow a dry valley to take your eyes off your destination. It’s tough, it’s hot and it’s dry but the situation will change. Heather and I have encountered quite a few ‘valleys’ in our walk of faith; but love, understanding, patience, and a clear sense of purpose have got us through. In all of our valleys, God our Father has opened a “Door of Hope” – Hosea 2 v15.
Trust Him and praise Him! “He turns a wilderness into pools of water and dry land into water-springs” – Psalm 107 v35.
Be blessed,
Eddie.