There is an old song that speaks of overlooking a four-leaf clover; I think we can sometimes do the same thing. I know that I have been guilty of it from time to time. Getting so wrapped up in the day or perhaps just going through the motion of what we do daily and missing out on a real blessing.
This morning I was reading God’s Word in the book of Psalms and came upon Psalm 84:6-7. The verses read, “Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools. They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.” A friend asked me the simple question, what does that mean? Profoundly I said, I don’t know.
For some wonderful reason I was not content to move on and began doing a little research. Initially I found a reference of the valley of Baca referring to mulberry trees and making a well. Not much to go on I admit. Yet as I continued my research I found the hidden golden nuggets that God leaves for us when we stop our pace and pause and spend time with Him.
The context of the passage and the reference “Valley of Baca” refers to an area that is a valley, heavily traveled. Ruts and ditches and even potholes begin to build up on the dirt road. For some it is an advantage when the rains come they can gather water in wells, but for others it becomes an excuse. How can you travel a road when the ditches and potholes begin to fill with water? The path that is referred to is the path to Jerusalem and the travelers are those going to worship God at the temple.
Traveling through the valley of Baca could become an excuse not to go to worship God today, after all the weather is bad. Others plan even for the inclement weather and road conditions and are committed to spending time with God. In verse 7 they go from strength to strength, or simply from one problem to the next, but they achieve their goal and they spend time with God.
I remember growing up in an area that had bad winters and worse roads when covered in ice or snow. My Mom, a godly woman who raised 4 children on her own, shared and instilled her faith in her children. Best of all she always made God attractive, someone you would want to know. Her standard was always, if it was a weekday rather than Sunday, would you make the effort to go out, to work or school or whatever? If the answer was yes we were up and getting ready for church!
It has been many years since those days for me. Yet, this week calls for rain. There will be tropical storms to the south and strong winds and rain for my area. I will get up each day and go to work. Best of all, the roads in my valley of Baca may be damp, even deep, but either way I will spend time with God. His Word remains, …a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path (Psalm 119:105.)
Have a Blessed Day, and maintain you path, your Valley of Baca!
Copyright 2008
