Peace in the Valley of Baca

Our family has been going through a hard season with one of our kids. It’s

something painful that they were going through, not of their own making, just a

situation that was handed to them. And it affected all of us, to the point that we

were driven into a place where God was the only answer. And He met us there!

We each have a story to tell about the prayers He has answered, and the way He

has grown our faith. If I stop and look at the last 3 years as an ‘overview’ I realize

something. There is something beautiful that happens when you are forced to

lean on God. You start to notice His voice, and the ways that He is providing for

you.

This passage describes the last 3 years for me: ‘Happy are the people whose

strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the

Valley of Baca, they make it a source of spring water; even the autumn rain will

cover it with blessings. They go from strength to strength; each appears before

God in Zion.’ (Psalm 84:5-7) and this is the note I wrote in my Bible about this

passage: ‘How I want to live the rest of my life.’

There was a time when I was only living to please myself. But when that didn’t

work and I was even more unhappy, I turned to God and started to see what He

had to say. As I read my Bible, I started to have a subtle sense of truth. I knew it

was true. As I kept reading, I kept believing. And that’s when I started to notice all

the good things that have happened in this trial. I realized that my life is a gift,

and I can choose what I want to do with it! I don’t have to be afraid of

circumstances around me, I just keep my eyes on God and wait for His

deliverance! He will deliver at just the right time. And this is what it looks like to

go through a trial with God on your side:

-we recognize that our strength is in Him. These are not just words: they are a

road map. As I read story after story of God’s deliverance in the Bible, I am

emboldened to believe He will deliver me too. As I get to know the character of

God, and His actions toward those who love Him, I want to be part of that! There

was a time when I did not really believe that God is good, and that was because I

was not understanding that the bad things that happened in my life were not His

doing! He may have allowed them, but that is only so that I will turn to Him. ‘For

He does not enjoy bringing affliction or suffering on mankind.’ (Lamentations

3:33). So, once I began to believe that God is good and He does good: then, the

miracle happened. I began to trust Him! He became my strength! And I walk

around with this ‘secret’ happiness because I know God has me engraved on His

hand.

-we set our hearts on pilgrimage. This is the opposite of the way the world lives.

The world is trying desperately to hang on to whatever they can: our image, our

stuff, our health, all with a nagging certainty of death around the corner. But we

don’t see it that way anymore: we are just passing through. We are here on this

earth for the purpose of getting to know God and loving and being loved by Him.

The only way to come to the Father is through Jesus, and His sacrifice for us. And

once we have done that, this world loses some of its charm. We enjoy things, but

we hold them loosely because this is not our real home. Where we are going is

not even worth comparing to this world but if we are not in the Word, we lose

our vision and forget!

-our valleys become a beautiful place. We have made a lot of sweet memories in

the last few years. Things that would not have happened except for this trial.

special times with some of our kids and grandkids in a way that would not have

happened if things were not hard. Trips we would not have taken. A few years

ago, our daughter was stuck in a storm alone, and we just ‘happened’ to be

around to help her. We will never forget those days and the way the Lord

provided, and the fun times we were able to have. And we got through it. And it

made us stronger and more aware of His presence.

-they go from strength to strength until each appears before God in Zion. Each

step of the way, God has made us stronger. If this trial had ended when I wanted

it to 3 years ago, we would not have known what we know now, we would not

have seen God’s deliverance, we would not have made Him our strength. But as it

is, this trial was allowed into our lives and has strengthened our faith and our

trust in our faithful Father. He has delivered me before, and He will deliver me

again! He is good. He is a righteous Judge. He delivers. And He is bringing me to

Zion. I want to tell everyone what He has done for me: I want to be ready to meet

Him there.

‘How happy are those who reside in your house, who praise you continually.’

(Psalms 84:4).