Today I want to write about a scripture that I have looked at many times over the last I guess 6 years. I remember the first time I read it and it sort a grabbed me in a way. Then the Lord just kept putting the scripture in my life through books and devotionals. It is talked about and written in many different ways. After reading it and looking at other explanations this is what it speaks to me and ties in to what we have been writing. Psalm 84:5-7 ‘What joy for those whose strength comes from the Lord, who have set their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. When they walk through the Valley of Weeping it will become a place of refreshing springs. The autumn rains will clothe it with blessings. They will continue to grow stronger, and each of them will appear before God in Jerusalem.’ The chapter is written by the sons of Korah, they were priest who every year traveled to the temple to come before the Lord and celebrate the Feasts of tabernacles. They were probably door keepers in the temple in service to the Lord during the celebration. They say it was an actual journey they took but is also a comparison of the journey each of us take to be with the Lord. A relationship with the Lord, knowing Him, His presence in our lives, and growing to become more like him is a believers greatest joy and is most important in our life. The scripture starts out with what joy and blessing in those who’s strength comes from the Lord. I have traveled 38 years without the Lord in my life and 8 with the Lord, I can tell you it is way different and a blessing and a joy. The next part is important it says who have set their mind or heart on this journey to be with the Lord. The Lord is in us and will help and give us what we need on the journey but have we opened our heart to him and is our thoughts and focus on Him and the journey. Are we committed and faithful or are we divided in our mind and heart. Proverbs 23:7 'For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. Eat and drink!” he says to you, But his heart is not with you.' Amos 3:3 'Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?' I think the big thing here is the Lord is going to take you on a journey, He is faithful, but how are we going to travel and we don’t control the journey. 2 Timothy 2:13 'If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.' Quote by Frank N. Johnson. “The valley of weeping is not an option for God’s child, but a necessity and a certainty. Psalm 84 does not say “if they pass through the Valley of Baca,” but, “as they pass through the Valley of Baca.” The valley of Baca or weeping is a place we all go through for a reason and purpose from God. But when we go through are we going to encounter God come closer to Him and give more time and focus and intimacy with Him. Are we going to transform, change and grow, maybe it is to train us or discipline us or a place where we find our calling or Identity in a deeper way. Or will we go through the valley focused on our selves and our problems or the things of this world and close our heart to God and become further away from Him. It may be a very hard place and take time to adjust but I think it says if we focus on the Lord and come closer to Him and allow him to transform us for his purpose we will be refreshed and filled and become stronger in the Lord. I’m pretty sure the Lord has put some great people in my life who have been through this valley of weeping, maybe a few times and they are blessed and have grown in the Lord and became stronger. I know God also uses these experiences in people to bless others and pour what He has given them into others. Psalm 126:5-6 'Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest.' I have been able to give to others out of some hard situations I have been through and I have also been a recipient of blessings poured into me from others because of the hardships they went have went through. I Think Paul said it best, maybe one of the reasons we go through the valley of weeping is to become more one with him. Philippians 7-11’ I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!’ There is nothing wrong with being happy and enjoying life on the journey with the Lord. But I think the big thing is no will ever fully understand how God works in a person for his purpose. You can read all the books you want and some things you will never know. The main thing to focus on our relationship with God and trust him, we know as a believer we will be with the Lord forever and here what ever we go through it is for a reason and he is in control and sovereign. He leads we follow by Faith, we are not supposed to know everything and be in control, He wants us to rely on Him deeply. Ecclesiastes 12:12-14 ‘But, my child, let me give you some further advice: Be careful, for writing books is endless, and much study wears you out. That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.’ Luke 12:29-32 ‘And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things. These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need. So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.’ I think as a believer we will go through hard times maybe even more than a nonbeliever, I don’t know, but a believer has a relationship with God, the maker of you and everything is inside you and we have a hope, faith, love, and peace that a person who is lost can not even fathom. The only thing we take with us when we leave this place is Him, the relationship we have with him. Hebrews 12:1-4 ‘Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.’ Luke 9:57-58 'The Cost of Following Jesus As they were walking along, someone said to Jesus, “I will follow you wherever you go.” But Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.” I don’t think God never intended for anyone in a relationship with him to set up camp and get to comfortable where they rely on their selves. It says to throw off everything that weights you down. I think the valley of weeping is a blessing even though hard and a place we all go and hopefully where we will experience God in a deeper way. I know some men think crying is for wimps and sissy’s but I think this may be a place when you go through you experience God in a way only you and Him will understand and have tears of Joy. Others may not understand these emotions. Job had as many struggles as anybody I guess and he questioned God many times, but this is what he said after he was restored. Job 42:1-6 ‘Then Job replied to the Lord: I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you. You asked, ‘Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?’ It is I—and I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me. You said, ‘Listen and I will speak! I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.’ I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes. I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance.’
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