As they pass through the Valley of Baca, They make it a place of springs

When I think of the Valley of Beca, I think of the biblical phrase “a dry and thirsty land.” Baca is thought to be a balsam tree, a shrub which grows in arid places. The NEB translates it ‘the thirsty valley’. Of course the psalmist is not speaking of a literal thirsty valley, but is rather a picture of spiritual dryness. And he is speaking of those who can bring living water into such places just by being there.

So we need to ask who “they” are. In fact the previous verse Psalm 84:5 tells us. It says “Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, Whose heart is set on pilgrimage.”

Many of us lead out of our own strength, even as Christians. I know I did for many, many years. Often it’s only when we come to the end of ourselves, to the point where, for whatever reason, our own strength is seen to be totally inadequate, that we finally take on his strength. Paul is talking about this in 2 Corinthians 12:9 when he says “when I am weak, then I am strong!” When we get to this place, we have to admit we cannot do it without Him, and then we have to ask for the strength He then freely gives to make up for what we cannot do.

So the “they” of verse 6 have two characteristics. Firstly they walk in God’s strength, not their own. Secondly they have set their heart on pilgrimage. Both of these things are diametrically opposed to the way of the world. In terms of the second point, the world is interested in the bottom line, in the endpoint of the journey. The one who changes the spiritual atmosphere on the other hand, is the one who lives in the process, recognizing that the journey is every bit as important, if not more important in God’s eyes, than the final destination.

it’s not particularly easy to be in this place. Often it’s a waiting game, and perhaps learning to wait is the hardest lesson of all. But Paul again says “there is great gain in godliness with contentment” (1 Timothy 6:6). Part of what we are being told here, is that being is more important to God, then doing. We are human beings, not human doings! our journey is primarily a journey into the heart of God, and this is a journey that never ends, it is eternal and ever more deeply satisfying hallelujah!

Father, to the extent that I have not yet fully allowed you to be my strength, and to the extent that the end point of the journey is more important than the journey, I ask your help in changing. Thank you Lord for your patience with me. I love you Lord in Jesus name Amen