Blessed is the man whose strength is in You

....     whose heart is set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a spring; the rain also covers it with pools. They go from strength to strength;  Each one appears before God in Zion (Psalm 84:5-7). A pilgrimage is a religious trek to a place where God has revealed Himself in the past, in this case Zion (- Jerusalem – verse 7). The New Testament believer is both a sojourner and a pilgrim (1 Peter 2:11 NKJV), and the journey is to the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:2).   A sojourner  is one who resides in a place temporarily. This earth is not our permanent home!  In the manner of Hebrew poetry,  the one whose strength is in God (the “You” of verse 5),  is the same one whose heart is set on pilgrimage.

But what does that mean? Let's look at the opposite. The human tendency is to set our hearts on the things of earth and on the bottom line, the end results of our goals. “I will live for God when ...” To have our heart set on pilgrimage then is to living in, and to be present in, the moment.   It is as we are passing through the Valley of Baca, for example, that we make it a spring!  The Valley of Baca is also knows as the valley of weeping (R.V. Margin), and a spring is water in plenty, for it produces pools.  Water of course speaks of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God (John 7:38,39; Ephesians 5:26). We don't like pain of course, I don't, and when we are in pain the default is to put our full attention on getting rid of it. We do this by medicating it,  denying it, blaming it on others, or in many other ways simply not dealing with it!

I am not here speaking primarily of physical pain. Those  whose hearts are set on pilgrimage asks what can God teach us through the trails, temptations and difficulties. They live in the reality that God works all things together for good in their lives (Romans 8:28).  They decide and set their hearts on trusting God no matter what the outcome. In this way they go from strength to strength (verse 7). Their confidence is in God,  knowing that He who has begun a good work in them will keep right on performing it, until the appear in the New Zion (Philippians 1:6).  They make it a place of springs where not only they can drink deeply from the river of life, but their obedience allows other to see and fear, and put their trust in Him and drink.  

Father, once again this morning I commit, as much as is withing me,   to love You with all my heart, mind,  soul and strength.  I commit to trust and serve You no matter what the circumstances,  or the outcome. I choose to believe that Your Grace is sufficient for me,  that Your strength is made perfect in my weaknesses.  I know that no matter what happens You will not only bring me through, but I will go from strength to strength, from glory to glory.  And I will be blessed.  You have promised Lord,  that the fruit of this, is that many will see and fear and put their trust in You. Thank You Lord that You do all things well,  and I  give You the glory in Jesus Name Amen