Gathering Rubies

The economy and the affairs of the world have many people stressed, and wondering what the future holds for them and especially their children and grandchildren. I am no different, I find myself getting caught up in watching the “doom and gloom”.

It is during these times I know I must turn my trust back to God. I remind myself of Ps 84:5-7 Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.  As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools.  They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.

These verses describe what it’s like making the journey to Zion. I read that the valley was possibly a dry and desolate place, yet “they make it a place of springs”. Their attitude is right because their strength is in God. They press on, finding new found strength as they journey on to Zion. The word “Baca”   means  weeping and some refer to this journey as going through the Valley of Tears, indicating the times when everything seems hopeless, difficult and painful, “the pit of despair”.

We will all walk through our own Valley of Tears at one time or another. We can take comfort in knowing that we are not alone. The Psalm ends with these words…Ps 84:12 O Lord Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you.

May you go from strength to strength on you journey. Or as one commentary suggests “They proceed from one degree of grace to another”.

Isa 40:29-31 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.  Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;  but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.