Psalm 84 (ESV) 5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. 6 As they go through the Valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools. 7 They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion. 8 O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah
now and not yet Salvation Redemption Adoption Kingdom
Psalm 84 background Tabernacle in Zion (Jerusalem)
The psalmist loves the tabernacle ‣ How lovely is your dwelling place… (v.1) ‣ My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God… (v.2) ‣ For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere… (v.10)
The psalmist loves the tabernacle ‣ Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars… (v.3) ‣ I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness… (v.10) ‣ Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise! (v.4)
But apparently, the psalmist is not there 5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. 6 As they go through the Valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools. 7 They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion.
But apparently, the psalmist is not there The psalmist is a PILGRIM to Zion
The experience of the psalmist is also ours “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” Philippians 3.20
The experience of the psalmist is also ours Jesus is the “place” where we meet God (tabernacle and temple)
Lessons from pilgrims to Zion: The pilgrimage is HARD “As they go through the VALLEY OF BACA…” (v.6) ‣ the valley of WEEPING ‣ the valley of TEARS ‣ the valley of DROUGHT
Lessons from pilgrims to Zion: The pilgrimage is HARD The desert: ‣ A place of scarcity ‣ An uninhabited place ‣ A dangerous place ‣ A treacherous place ‣ An unwanted place
Lessons from pilgrims to Zion: The pilgrimage is HARD “In the world you will have tribulation.” John 16.33
Lessons from pilgrims to Zion: The pilgrim is JOYFUL “As they go through the VALLEY OF BACA they MAKE IT A PLACE OF SPRINGS” (v.6) HOW?
How can we pass through the Valley of Baca? “Blessed are those whose STRENGTH IS IN YOU” (v.5)
How can we pass through the Valley of Baca? He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength. Isaiah 40.29-31
How can we pass through the Valley of Baca? But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12.9
How can we pass through the Valley of Baca? Desert drains our strength and energy and reveals our weakness… but also shows our idols and purifies our faith in God.
How can we pass through the Valley of Baca? It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes. Psalms 119.71 What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger!
How can we pass through the Valley of Baca? “…in whose HEART are the HIGHWAYS to Zion” (v.5)
How can we pass through the Valley of Baca? The pilgrim is not focused on the difficulties of the path, but in the delight of Zion.
How can we pass through the Valley of Baca? For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4.17-18)
How can we pass through the Valley of Baca? According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials… (1 Peter 1.3-6)
How can we pass through the Valley of Baca? “Let nothing disturb you, Let nothing frighten you, All things are passing away: God never changes. Patience obtains all things. Whoever has God lacks nothing; God alone suffices.” ― Teresa of Avila (1511-1582)
How can we pass through the Valley of Baca? “They go from STRENGTH TO STRENGTH. Each one appears before God in Zion.” (v.7)
How can we pass through the Valley of Baca? The closer to Zion, the stronger the pilgrim
The pilgrim who pass through the Valley of Baca: ‣ His STRENGTH comes from the Lord ‣ His DELIGHT is in the Lord ‣ His HOPE is in the Lord
“The Calvary road with Jesus is not a joyless road. It is a painful one, but it is a profoundly happy one. When we choose the fleeting pleasures of comfort and security over the sacrifices and sufferings of missions and evangelism and ministry and love, we choose against joy.” ― John Piper Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist
Recommend
More recommend
