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 The Valley Of Baca
Every human being experiences suffering at one time of life or another. Even though Christians know that God cares about our suffering, many wonder why God allows it. The Bible speaks of this is many places. It also provides the answers to our questions. Of course He knows. Of course He cares. He is omnipotent, and sovereign; He has a plan for everything He allows under Heaven. It is when we put our trust in Him, and stop asking questions, that God gives us the spirit of peace.
* Is not God in the height of heaven? And behold the height of the stars, how high they are! And thou sayest, "How doth God know?" Job 22:12,13a
* Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Prov. 3:5
* Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee. Job 22:21
E.W. Bullinger describes the valley "of Baca" as "of weeping".
I have heard it preached that the valley of Baca is a valley of tears. Also, I have heard it referred to as a desert. The two go together very well. When one is deluged with tears, they have no more hope than if they were lying in the hot dust of a desert, with no water in sight.
Since it apparently is a figure of speech, rather than a place on the map, I know that I have been there many times.
What matters most is what we do, when we find ourselves in this tormenting and grievous valley. Do we complain, groan, and entertain bitterness in our hearts about it? Certainly, feeling resentful about pain is the natural response of human beings. But God can help us past that place.
* Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee ... who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools. They go from strength to strength, every one of them. Psa 84:5a,6,7a
It certainly takes God's strength, to help us dig a well in a desert, when our own strength has failed us. But if we do not dig a well, in other words, make an effort to show faith in God's mercy; when He sends the rain of relief and healing, it will simply drain away from us.
How can we make this effort to show faith in God's mercy to lead us out of this valley of weeping? By turning to Him, and His word, and opening your heart to believing that God DOES work all things for good to all those who love Him.
How do we get into valleys of weeping? We are probably all familiar with the ways. We fall in, as into a crevasse; or be forced to travel through, with cliffs on either side, and no other way to move ahead. We wander in, and lose our way, becoming lost. For the weeping of humans have as many causes as their minds are complex. Disappointments, bereavements, angers, injuries, and anything that rouses negative feelings in us, all can cause tears.
If we turn to God, and try to do the thing that He would have us do, that will please Him. For if we are suffering, and take it patiently, this shows that God is at work in you. It does not come naturally.
* When you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us,leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: I Peter 2:20b,21 New KJV
It is important to note that the verse does not say when we come to live in the valley of Baca. No, it specifically says when we are passing through the valley of Baca. What a difference there is!
And when we are led forth out of the valley of Baca, it will be in peace, and joy.
God is love, and only He can lift us, and lead us forth, from our places of tears.
Love lifted me!
Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help,
Love lifted me!
James Rowe 1912
* They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. Psa 126:5
* For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Isa 55:12
2005 Rosemary Gwaltney
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