Blessings in Your Valley of Weeping

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Psalm 84


This psalm is about David's thoughts and desires to be in the "house of the Lord". It is a beautiful description of how he longs for, faints and cries out for the "living God". At this time he was hiding from Absalom and wasn't able to get to the "house of the Lord". In verse 5 he describes how blessed is the person who finds his strength in God and has his heart "set on pilgrimage".

In that time and that area- the way to Jerusalem could be very dangerous. They had to pass through the Valley of Baca which means “weeping”. They had to travel through rough and dry land but because of their desire to go to “the house of the Lord” the way became a spring with many blessings. The word “pools” in verse 6 is rendered “blessings”. Baca was a type of balsam plant that can survive in very dry conditions. “The tree is called a weeper, probably because it exudes tears of gum. There is no trace of a real tree with the name. The phrase refers figuratively to an experience of sorrow turned into joy.”(1)  The resin comes out of the tree in the shape of a tear drop. If it remains there it will become hard and then protect the tree from any damage. Also, a fragrant odor comes from the resin.

When we go through our times of testing and trials- when we are hurting—what comes forth? If we are cut or wounded—what comes out of us? God has made a way to turn our valleys of weeping into blessings- for us and for others. Our tears can be used to heal the Body of Christ. They can also be used to infect it. Bitterness and resentment can spread to the rest of the Body. We need to be careful how we react when we are injured. Verse 7 tells us that we must go from “strength to strength”. We must find our strength in the Lord. We must not give in to self-pity, discouragement or resentment during our valleys of weeping. We must determine that we are going to press on- into His Presence—and turn the valley into a spring! Some versions render that last statement in verse 7-"Each one appears before God in Zion" as "the God of gods shall be seen". Where is He seen? In us!!

The Israelites had to travel a great distance to get to Jerusalem and the “house of the Lord.” But for us- God is always present. We don’t have to go too far. But many times it is through a valley of weeping. God has given us the opportunity to turn our valleys of weeping into blessings- for us as well as for others. Our valley of weeping can be turned into springs and pools- it all depends on how we react to the situation we find ourselves in. Just like that balsam plant, when it is cut- the resin comes out in the shape of a tear and becomes very fragrant and can actually heal the rest of the plant. Isn’t that how we should react when cut or wounded? Instead of emitting bitterness and resentment, we should be emitting a sweet fragrance which can bring healing to both us and others as well.

 Lord, help me- when I go through those valleys of weeping, that with Your help I will turn them into springs and pools- so that I and others can find refreshing waters, healing rains and restoring springs. Amen.



1  The Zondervan Pictorial Bible Dictionary Zondervaan Publishing House 1964


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