A Daily Devotional And Reading From The Psalms
Psalm 84:5–12
5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee;
In whose heart are the ways of them.
6 Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well;
The rain also filleth the pools.
7 They go from strength to strength,
Every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.
8 O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer:
Give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah.
9 Behold, O God our shield,
And look upon the face of thine anointed.
10 For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand.
I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God,
Than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield:
The Lord will give grace and glory:
No good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
12 O Lord of hosts,
Blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.
I found a much needed blessing in the first verses of today’s reading from the Psalms. Travelers on their way to the Temple are described as “blessed” or happy as they go on their pilgrimage. They pass through the dry valley of Baca, the name means tears, but their short time traveling through makes a difference in the place.
Psalm 84:6 Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; The rain also filleth the pools.
They find hidden springs and dig wells for those that follow. Their time in the valley of tears is productive, and not just for themselves. The Lord blesses their labor and sends rain to further fill the pools they leave behind. Lest we think that it is just their disposition, that somehow it is easy for them, we see that they have to continually find new strength (vs.7). They go from strength to strength, little by little they find enough to keep going until eventually they joyfully arrive at the house of God.
I have known a few folk who are like these travelers. On their way to the Heavenly temple they bring abundant blessings. They are so excited about their destination they spread contagious joy wherever they go. They go through valleys like everyone else but somehow they bring blessings to barren places. Even in times of sorrow they take the time to care for those that come after them. They dig wells in difficult places! They find just enough strength to continue their journey and grow as they go.
I am in a valley now. I am finding a few wells to sustain me that better people have left for followers like me. I thank God for their testimony and encouragement. I hope to keep going and growing as I find strength and it builds little by little. I hope that I can not only find joy in this valley but somehow spread it too. It is a task too great for me but I have hope that I can find that power in an infinite source. I look forward to the day that I arrive at my final destination and look upon the one that gave me everything I needed along the way (vs.9)
Ps 84:5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee;
In whose heart are the ways of them.