Topic: Better is One Day (Psalm 84)
Psalm 84:6 mentioned the passing through the valley of Baca. The word Baca means weeping. Life is full of heartaches and disappointments. Life is full of tears. Life begins with crying (a baby is born crying). Life ends with crying (we mourn for those who die). Psalm 84 details the importance of the house of the Lord to the Christian. In a day where people view the church as having no or little importance, the Bible clearly emphasizes the importance of God’s house. No matter what your valley of Baca is filled with, one day in the temple of worship is far better than being anywhere else (vs. 10).
It is of no small wonder that God introduces the Valley of Weeping with the importance of steadfastness in the house of the Lord.
The Facts of The Valley: It is temporary (vs. 6 says “passing through”). It doesn’t matter whether you are a Christian or not, you will walk through this valley. The difference is that when you walk it as a child of God, Jesus walks it with you and He carries you through the rough places.
It contains a blessing (vs. 6 says “make it a well/spring”) You can pass through the valley of weeping and come out empty. Most people never see what the Lord is doing for them in this valley, we must learn to turn our times of sorrow and distress into wells from which we draw the waters of spiritual maturity and growth.
The Find In The Valley: You can find the strength of the Lord (vs 5, 7). Without weakness we would not appreciate God’s strength. There is something about being in God’s presence, and in His house, that will strengthen the Christian. The more you come and desire to come, the stronger you will become. The more you stay away and desire to stay away, the weaker you will become.
You can find the ears of the Lord (vs 8). God hears us when we pray, and He will answer our prayers if our hearts are right with Him. The closer we get to God, the more obvious the answers to our prayers become. Our heavenly Father wants each of us to experience the joy of praying. In fact, He has much more for us than we can even realize.
You can find the presence of the Lord (vs 9). Without loneliness we would not appreciate God’s presence. God is here. He is not far off. He is close. During Christmas, what name do we refer to when talking about Christ is Immanuel. The truth of the incarnation is not something that is a past event. The concept of Immanuel is a present reality. He is the “with us God,” and He is here. The psalmist reflects on the joy of the presence while in the valley of Baca in verse 10, “for a day in Your courts is better than a thousand outside. I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.”
Click HERE to listen to “Better is One Day”
Psalm 84:11 lists three more great discoveries in the valley of Baca.
You can find the guidance of the Lord, the protection of the Lord; and the goodness of the Lord.
See you Sunday! Dr. Scott Kallem