The Psalmist exemplifies an appetite for God, and in fact, his desire is so intense that he faints for the chance to be in the Lord’s temple in Jerusalem to worship Him. However, there are some circumstances that have taken the Psalmist away from the courts of the LORD.
It’s kind of similar to what we are facing today during the pandemic. We want to be in the courts of the Lord, but the reality is that there’s no longer a place where we can be physically gathered to worship Him.
Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion
Psalm 84:5
Every human heart has deep roads to oft-traveled destinations. In his heart now, there’s a road to Zion. The Psalmist is going on pilgrimage with his mind and soul. Sickness can’t prevent him from worship. Social distancing can’t prevent him from praising Him. Even in-exile can’t prevent him from being in His presence.
As they go through the Valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools.
Psalm 84:6
The Psalmist recalled how difficult the pilgrimage was. He pictured a band of pilgrims making their way towards the Lord’s temple through this difficult Valley. Their anticipated joy at being at the temple, their songs of praise, their longing desire to worship and the LORD’s provision that sent rain which caused pools of water turned a barren region becomes a blessing, a place of refreshment.
Yes, we are reminded of our own pilgrimage with its hardships and trials as we journey on the Valley of Baca. The assurance is given that, if we determine to go through the Valley of Baca and focus on the promise of experiencing God’s presence and His abundant mercies instead of the difficulties and hardship, those times of drought will in fact become times of flowing springs of blessings.
They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion
Psalm 84:7
On a normal journey, the usual pattern is to go from strength to weakness or fatigue, but not so with those whose strength is in God – they go from strength to strength. As the pilgrims journey on, it is getting closer and closer, and you can imagine as the glorious temple first came into their sight, the sense of excitement and wonders must be overwhelming. At the end, they appear before the presence of the Lord worshiping Him.
What about you?
Are you going through the Valley of Baca right now?
Are you going from strength to strength or strength to fatigue?
The road to the Lord’s Temple is not trouble free. There are times that we will have to pass through the Valley of Baca (the place of weeping).
Brothers and sisters, are we allowed ourselves to give up on the Valley of Weeping that we live in? Or do you see the Valley of weeping is just part of the road to Zion and it’s getting closer each day?
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