Dear People Who Keep Company With God,
Psalm 84 is about the joy of dwelling with God. It reflects upon the heart of a person who longs to live face-to-face with Him. It is a Psalm we relate to well. It is our heart’s cry. It also talks about a place of weeping that even those who love the Presence of the living God must pass through.
We know the Valley of Baca (weeping). We walked through that place this past season. I do not want to think of what could have happened if our strength had not been in the Lord. He kept us.
In the Valley of Weeping our tears of disappointment, loss and heartbreak make a spring that attracts the rain, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The Lord will redeem every tear. There is a rain from heaven coming our way.
It tells us we will go from “strength to strength”. Here are some things the Lord gave me that strengthened me in the Valley of Weeping.
Where are you God? In those low moments when it seemed God was so far away He revealed Himself as the One who is right there with me. One of God’s Covenant names is The One Who is There (Ezekiel 48:35). He made the intention of His heart known when He named Himself Immanuel. He is always there in the midst of our heart and lives.
Why God? Even if we knew the answer it would not bring lasting peace. We will never be at peace until we become more conscious of the Holy Spirit’s Presence. Jesus is the Prince of Peace. When we let the Holy Spirit rest upon our hearts as a dove then we can know true peace. How do we let Him rest upon us? We can give up the right to understand why so the peace that passes understanding can come.
Why me? Elisabeth Elliot says that when she must receive something from God which she does not want, but which it is abundantly clear He has allowed into her life, she physically gets on her knes and makes a statement of acceptance. Instead of saying, “Why me? ” ask “Why not me?” In other words don’t be a victim, complainer or fall prey to self-pity. Find the heart of the Lord in the midst of your situation so you can become an over-comer.
Why church? There will be times when you can’t face the storms of this life alone. Two are better than one is what the Proverbs tell us and a three fold cord is not easily broken. Two or more people and the Holy Spirit are a force to be reckoned with. When our friends can’t be strong we can be strong for them. In fact, that is part of what we do; stay encouraged, full of hope, faith and love so we can help those in need. When we find ourselves to be the one in the terrible storm the family can rally around and help bear our burden (Gal. 6:2).
O me of little faith. Voices will inevitably come and accuse you about your little faith. There is a story concerning a boy who the disciples could not heal of seizures (Mark 9: 17-29). In the story, the boy’s father wants to believe, but his faith is lacking. Jesus said something amazing that I think has been twisted by religion. He said, “All things are possible to him who believes.” Jesus was not admonishing the father about his faith as some have said. I believe Jesus was referring to Himself as the “him who believes”. Jesus was offering the father His faith. In our worst moments when our faith and prayers seem to have failed, it doesn’t matter, because Jesus offers us His faith. That is true love. Faith only works through love.
Many Blessings, BW