Blessed Through The Valley of Weeping

Psalm 84:5-7 KJV

5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.

6 Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.

7 They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.

Introduction - Blessed

We’ve faced a tough year. A year ago at this time we were just getting news reports about some new sickness that seemed to be spreading and having no cure. Since then we’ve dealt with multiple shutdowns, physical distancing, self-quarantining and the like. Many have been infected with this virus, thousands have lost their lives to this disease. My father spent two weeks in the hospital and is still on oxygen. We’ve said farewell to many of our ministers or spouses over the last year including our beloved Sis. Ramona.

It is difficult to talk about being blessed in the face of a global pandemic that is affecting so many lives. But for a few minutes tonight I want to talk to you the subject Blessed Through The Valley of Weeping

Introduce Story David is Picturing

First I want to define what we mean by the term ‘blessed.’ The best definition I can come up with for this word is a state of inner contentment that is not dependent on outside circumstances.

Have them recite Phil 4:13 kids crusade style. I want us to look at the full context of this passage because here Paul gives us an explanation of what it is to be truly blessed.

Philippians 4:11-13 (KJV)

11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

This blessedness or happiness is NOT dependent on circumstances but is in spite of circumstances.

(Perhaps Story of Happy In Jesus Alone)

Is The Man (person)

This is not for everyone but a specific person who the writer will further define. This word 'man' is the generic form which would be better translated as person. Blessed is the person. The word 'the' modifies 'man' or 'person' so that the writer is talking not about everyone but only a specific person who meets a specific condition or conditions. Not everyone qualifies to experience this kind of blessing - only the specific people who meet the conditions he shares in this passage.

A. Whose strength is in Thee

One who realizes his or her source is God. Jessy Dixon sang the song 'I can't even walk without you holding my hand.' The blessed or happy person is blessed because first they realize their strength is in God and God alone.

B. In whose heart are the ways of Thee

God's instructions, the roadmap to God is planted deep within the heart of this person. Talk about GPS in cars - God Positioning System

C. Who Passing through the valley of baca

1. Baca

Some translations say balsam trees. others say valley of weeping. Others still, the valley of baca. The consensus among theologians is that the writer is referring to a literal valley which was filled with a thorny thicket of shrub like briars. Those going through this valley had to chop their way through the thicket and it would leave them bleeding and hurting from being poked and scratched by the thorns limbs of the shrubby thicket… which is also why some call it the valley of weeping.

2. Passing Through

a. Keeps Moving

This blessed person is one who keeps moving through the tough stuff. He doesn't let the 'stuff' of life deter him. He keeps moving towards his ultimate goal.

b. Doesn’t Stop

He doesn't build a house in the valley of weeping. Too many times when we encounter tough times in our lives, we stop and get mired in the what if's and why's and the I just don't know how I'm going to make it... Then, it's not cool to be lonely when your down in the dumps so we call our friends and make it a pity party... The blessed person acknowledges the pain but knows he has a greater destination and he won't get there if he stops in the valley of weeping and spends his time bellyaching about how people are treating him and they just don't understand... The blessed person keeps on moving!

3. Writer doesn't deal with how the person go there, they are just there.

Relate personal testimony & how God used this passage to bring healing & restoration to me.

a. He could be in this valley because God is testing him.

b. He could be in the valley as a result of personal sin and failure.

c. He could be in the valley because of someone else's actions.

d. Doesn’t Blame Others

However he came to be in the valley, the blessed person doesn't blame others. He doesn't dwell in victimization. He doesn't complain about why God allowed this to come in his life. He simply takes responsibility for his own actions chooses to keep on heading towards his ultimate goal. He has a prize in focus and he's not going to allow himself to be distracted from reaching his prize. He's going through!

There’s an old hymn we used to sing perhaps some of you remember the chorus:

I’m going through, I’m going through, I’ll pay the price, whatever others do; I’ll take the way with the Lord’s despised few; I’m going through, Jesus, I’m going through.

Are you going through tonight? Are you going to be a passing through person? Abraham was one of those. He kept moving - He said I’m looking for a city who has foundation who’s builder and maker is God. We sing the old song about Abraham This world is not my home I’m just a passing through my treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue the angels beckon me from heavens open door and I can’t feel at home in this world anymore! Are you going through tonight?

D. Make It A Well

1. Finds nourishment and sustenance.

2. Finds refreshment.

3. Finds good & seeks growth in the midst of the valley.

4. God Turns Bad to Good

a.Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Notice Paul didn't say that All things are good. He says that God works all things together for our good.

b. Consider the story of Joseph where he says to his brothers Genesis 50:20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

5. This blessed person says, 'I'm here. Rather than complain about being here, I might as well see what good I can get out of it. What benefit I can derive from it. What can I learn while I'm in this valley? What does the blessed person do? He starts digging. Maybe in the midst of all this thorns and thicket there's a gold nugget. Maybe there's a spring. Maybe there's something great waiting to be discovered.

E. The early rain also filleth the pools.

1. When we've done our part, God will add additional 'rain' - that is blessing that we didn't have to dig for. When God sees that we are people who find our strength in Him alone, that we have His ways in our hearts, that we are passing through people, that we seek to find the good in the situation then, He comes in a powerful way and sends the rain to fill up the wells we've dug.

2. Prosperity - briefly mention this is not the prosperity doctrine... That doctrine focuses on treasure here in this life. Jesus said lay not up for yourselves treasure on earth where moth and rust doth corrupt and thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven where neither moth or rust corrupt nor thieves break in and steal, for where your heart is there is your treasure also. Matt. 6:19-20

F. They go from strength to strength.

Rather than getting to our destination tired, beaten, cut, bruised, worn out, and ready to give up, the writer of this passage shares that the blessed person gets stronger as he goes. Yes he goes through the tough, difficult, sometimes even agonizing valley of weeping, but if he's a blessed person, who's strength is in God, who has God's ways in his heart, who's a passing through person, who seeks the good and nourishing and refreshing and growth even in the bad situation, then he gets stronger as a result. And then he goes through another situation like that and comes out even stronger and by the time he arrives at his destination, he is not battered and worn and beaten and bloodied and destitute. Rather he arrives as a strong, victorious over comer. Rev. 12:11 tells us they overcame the enemy by the blood of the Lamb, the word of their testimony and they loved not their lives unto the death. As apostle Paul writes, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

G. Each One

1. Our Own Journey

We each have our own journey to get to God. We each will encounter unique valley's of weeping on our journey. While we should seek to be there for one another and bear one another's burdens, at the same time we each are going to make our own unique choices and travel a unique path and one day stand before God on our own.

2. Cannot Walk Anyone Else’s Journey

As much as we may want to, we cannot walk anyone else's path. We cannot go through their valley of weeping for them. We can hold their hand while their going through. We can pray for them and support them, but ultimately they have to take their test and pass or fail based on their own choices and decisions. As much as I might want to make the decisions for my children, I have to trust them to God and trust that my teaching found a home in them and that they will make wise choices and pass their test in their valley of weeping.

H. In Zion, appeareth before God.

1. Feast of Tabernacles

David was referring in the passage to one of the three annual pilgrimages all men 20 and over were required to do, Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles. I believe this one was likely Tabernacles. This blessed person has finally made it to Zion and is in the presence of God at the Temple. The feast of Tabernacles in those days was like a huge party.

Deuteronomy 14:22–27 CSB

22 “Each year you are to set aside a tenth of all the produce grown in your fields. 23 You are to eat a tenth of your grain, new wine, and fresh oil, and the firstborn of your herd and flock, in the presence of the Lord your God at the place where he chooses to have his name dwell, so that you will always learn to fear the Lord your God. 24 But if the distance is too great for you to carry it, since the place where the Lord your God chooses to put his name is too far away from you and since the Lord your God has blessed you, 25 then exchange it for silver, take the silver in your hand, and go to the place the Lord your God chooses. 26 You may spend the silver on anything you want: cattle, sheep, goats, wine, beer, or anything you desire. You are to feast there in the presence of the Lord your God and rejoice with your family. 27 Do not neglect the Levite within your city gates, since he has no portion or inheritance among you.

His heart is set on getting to Zion and the final outcome for this blessed, passing through person is he finally makes it to Zion and enjoys the feast in the presence of the Lord.

In the same way, our ultimate goal is to one day in the appear in the heavenly Zion in the presence of God and enjoy the marriage supper of the lamb.

2. Celebrate

It's time to celebrate. We've run the race, we've finished the course. Now, we're finally home. We can celebrate because we've now obtained the fulfillment of all our hopes and dreams. New Perfect body. Complete peace. Complete rest. Complete beauty. It's time to enjoy the fruits of our labors in this life.

Altar Call