Cries and blessings

Friday 23 July 2021

Cries and blessings

When they cross the Baca Valley, they transform it into a place full of springs, and the rain also covers it with blessings. Psalm 84:7

Consider this psalm in its current application to the Christian. He walks in a world which offers him neither benchmarks nor what to nourish his spiritual life (v. 2,3), while waiting to be introduced into the house of the Father (v. 1 and 4 ; John 14:2). On his way, he may be led through the Baca Valley (a Hebrew poetic expression meaning "valley of tears"), that is, to experience trial and tears.

In Psalm 23, David fears no evil, even in the valley of the shadow of death, for the Lord his Shepherd is with him. Psalm 84 emphasizes another aspect of the trial, the experience believers get from it : They make it a fountain. They turn it into sources of water. Where they saw only a desert, they now see watered soil.

Who are those who behave like this ? These are the ones in whose hearts are the cleared ways (v.5). Today it is Christians who let God make His way in their lives. If they encounter a trial, they do not despair in suffering. They see it as an opportunity to discover the riches of the Lord's grace in consolation, in help, in strengthening.

What is the secret of their victory ? The rain covers the Baca Valley with blessings. This poetic image reminds us of the refreshing action of the Word of God in the midst of trials. It is received like showers on ripe grass (Deuteronomy 32:2). We then understand why these believers can then walk from strength to strength (v.7).

So the tried and true Christian, convinced that all things work together for the good of those who love God (Romans 8:28), benefits from this experience, first for himself. Then he can encourage those who will go through similar circumstances. God blesses His children, even in painful circumstances, when they are lived with Him.

Source (Pleasing the Lord)