The Valley of "Weeping"

This morning I was reading through one of my favorite Psalms, Psalm 84.  I was reading it intently and saw something that caused me to pause and look deeper.  What caught my eye was the statement at the beginning of verse 6.  It reads, "Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.⁶ As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools."


What caught my eye was that there was a definitive statement about passing through the Valley of Baca - which literally means the Valley of Weeping.  Here is a great verse about pursuing God, seeking Him, entering into His courts, and it includes a visit to the Valley of Weeping, and its not an option.


In the natural, travelers on pilgrimage to Jerusalem had to pass through this valley, and it is thought to be Gehenna, a place of refuse, dumps, and graves. God clearly uses the natural to speak of the Spiritual.  So what this verse is saying roughly translates to  - if you have your heart set on pursuing and encountering God, you WILL pass through this valley of tears.  However, this valley will be a place where you experience refreshing, God's provision, and continuing on to verse 7 - its part of the a progression of growth (strength to strength).


I was thinking more about this Valley and the Lord reminded me of the fact that pools gather in low places, and springs are revealed in the walls of low places.  So rather than being offended or distraught during our visit to the valley, we should be looking for the blessings, refreshing and provision of the Lord in this place.

God Watches Over His Word

This morning I was reading Jeremiah 1:1-14 and my attention was captured by verse 12, which says: "The LORD said to me, “You have seen correctly, for I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled.”

I guess it captured my attention because the image of God watching over each of the words He speaks, seeing that they are fulfilled, gave me hope and encouragement.  I imagine the billions of things that God has said, many of them just seeds, that He is constantly watching over to see that they are fulfilled - almost like a gardener tending is garden.

It gives me hope for things He has said that I haven't seen happen yet.  It gives me encouragement that He remembers His words, and as it says in Isaiah 55:11, "... so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."

This word also calls me to accountability for things God has spoken to me that I have either ignored or let flounder.  He is watching over me, as I steward His word to me.

Thank You Lord for this word of hope, encouragement and direction!

Last Shall be First

This morning I was reading through Matt 20:1-16 which is the parable of the workers in the Vineyard.  While reading this parable, I was struck by how effective this particular story is in grabbing my attention.  I found myself thinking much like the early workers in the vineyard, that for the last hired to be paid the same as them was unfair.  I could almost imagine the people around Jesus listening to the story, and feeling the same way, only to have Jesus turn the tables and teach them such an important truth about His Father and the coming reality of salvation, redemption, and selection.


It was a great reminder to me that everything I have in Christ is because of the love, generosity and sacrifice of Jesus and the Father.  My relationship with them, my salvation, the forgiveness of my sins is all because of what the God did.  None of this is attributable to me, or my actions.  The only thing I have done is recognize my need for Him, and respond to His invitation.  


I think that those of us who have walked with and served God for many years can sometimes develop a mentality that we have earned some type of recognition, or reward for our faithful service.  We can even become jealous of those that are newly come into the Kingdom, especially if the Lord is blessings them and we are struggling. 


Thank You Lord for reminding me that everything of real value in my life is from You, and that my eyes should be on You, not on me.  You are so good to freely offer the same to anyone who comes to You.  You don't require years of service, self denial or the likes.  Anyone, whatever their situation or past can come to You and receive salvation, the forgiveness of their sins and relationship with you, even Eternal Life! 

Unbelief and Healing

I was reading the NKJV (New King James Version) of Matt 17, and Jesus response to the disciples about why they couldn't heal the boy with Epilepsy, really struck my heart.  Matt 17:20 reads, "So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief;..."   Here is the only instance that I know of where the reason for someone not being healed is given and it is the unbelief of the disciples!


I was confronted by my own lack of results when praying for people, and had to admit that much is the result of my unbelief.  As I was thinking this through, I felt the Lord confront me about how I am more likely to give people advice to try a cold remedy that is available from your local store than I am to pray for them, or suggest prayer.  


I then remembered James 2:14, "What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds?" (NIV) I realized that this is exactly my situation.  I say I have faith for God to heal, but I rarely pray for people to be healed.  


Lord, help me in my unbelief, and help me to truly believe, in word, heart and deeds.

Less of Me, More of You

In my continued path through Matthews Gospel, I recently read the story of the Epileptic child that the disciples could not cure (Matt 17:14-21).  Jesus last comment in verse 21 was a revealing statement about the difference between the disciples and Jesus.  I have quoted here from the New King James Version : "However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting."

Normally I quickly pass over this statement, believing that I understand what it means, but today I saw it differently.  As I was reading this and thinking it through I remembered John the Baptist's statement in John 3:30, "He must increase, but I must decrease." (NKJV).

Normally I wouldn't put these two verses together, but as I thought about it, I was convinced they are really saying similar things.  Fasting is a way for us to be less concerned about ourselves and focus on God, and prayer is communication and intimacy with God.  Thus, fasting and prayer could be translated less focus on me, and more focus on God.

In this story, Jesus clearly shows that His level of intimacy with the Father and emptiness of His own will is much beyond what the disciples have attained.  This enables Him to minister with a level of authority that they could not.  

Lord, help us to embrace this truth - less of us and more of You is what we need!

Love is God's Character

Recently I have been reading several passages that all have the same message - God is loving!


In Exodus 34:6 God reveals himself to Moses and comments on His own character - He says He is "abounding in Love."


In Psalm 145:13,17  David writes twice that God is "loving toward all he has made." 


Finally in 1 John 4:16  John says simply "God is Love."


So often our world paints God as judgmental, angry, punishing, distant, etc.  The reality was expressed most completely in Jesus - He is Loving.  He sees the person's heart, hurt, rejection, sin and ugliness and still extends love!


Lord, help us to show more of Your Love to those around us!

The Keys of the Kingdom

Yesterday I was reading in Matt 16:13-20.  Verse 19 reads, "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”


Here Jesus is clearly talking about imparting of authority within His Kingdom. He gave this authority to His disciples, and we are included.  A couple of weeks ago I wrote about the calling cards of the Kingdom, I guess you can add the keys to that list of things the Lord gives us as evidence of our authority and inclusion in the kingdom.


This is not some honorary key to the city that you sometimes hear, but it is real authority that extends on earth, and includes heaven.  There are many commentaries about what the last statement really means.  I'm not really worried about the exact meaning as I think the message is clear enough - we have real authority in His Kingdom - and His Kingdom extends over Earth and Heaven.


So, just like the first time our father or mother gave us the keys to the car, their expectation was that we would put those keys to use, and drive the car.  In the same way Jesus expects that we will put the keys of the kingdom to use and walk in His authority.


Lord, help us to fully understand and embrace this great truth!

YOU are Mine

This morning during my time with God, I was reading out of my favorite Old Testament Prophet Isaiah.  Is 43:1 says, "But now, this is what the LORD says— He who created you, Jacob, He who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine."  I have underlined the section that caught my attention.


I have some quick thoughts about this verse, where God tells us not to fear, and gives us three reasons to support this statement:


1) He has redeemed us - that means he has marched into enemy territory and paid the price for our freedom, and brought us back to safety.  What an awesome  picture of what He accomplished through His crucifiction, death and resurrection.


2)  He has summoned us by name - there is an intimacy and choice here - I imagine its like being selected for a team on the playground because He knows me and my character and wants me on His team.


3)  He says "You are Mine!"  I imagine this to be like one lover saying this to their mate - an intimate recognition of relationship, membership and love.


I think this leads perfectly to verse 4, which says  "Since you are precious and honored in my sight,and because I love you..."


Thank You Lord for this great encouragement.  Help me to truly understand the significance of these words in my life!