Psalm 84:5-6
“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.”
One of my childhood memories is trips we made from the Pacific Northwest to the Oklahoma panhandle to visit my mom’s family. It was a long and hot journey in a car with no air conditioning. We stayed at motor camps at night that were not much more than four walls, perhaps a sink, and hopefully located close to the public restrooms.
The “Valley of Baca,” means the valley of tears. The Psalmist wants to challenge us to leave springs in the hot and desolate valleys we pass through so that others may be refreshed as they pass along this same path.
We leave springs in the valley by living a life that is committed to God and available for His use. He takes that dedicated life and produces a flow of clean, pure spiritual water to nourish those who come behind us.
Please be encouraged as you struggle through the hot and desolate trials of life. Make it your aim to leave wells of blessing behind. Make sure that you invest good memories in the hearts of those who will follow you. Just love God and keep doing what His Word says, and leave the rest up to Him. I think I see a spring starting to flow right now!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil