Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, Whose heart is set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca, They make it a spring; The rain also covers it with pools." (Psalms 84:5-6)

The superscription ascribes Psalm 84 to the sons of Korah.  Under the law of Moses they were chosen to be the keepers of the temple.  The general tenor of Psalm 84 is stated from the outset:  “It is lovely to dwell in God’s tabernacle”.

The above verse seems to focus on the hazards and challenges of those pilgrims who are making their way to the house of God.  “The Valley of Baca” symbolizes a time of grief and sorrow. The imagery is of a company of pilgrims passing through difficult and desolate places, but pressing on to their destination.  Consider two important lessons here.

First, these spiritual pilgrims must persevere.  There are a number of challenges that may hinder us in our pursuit of godliness and fellowship with God.  Only the determined and courageous will persevere through the valleys.  Our daily persistent efforts will get us closer to Zion.  By patient continuance in doing good, (Romans 2:7) we will arrive!

Second, God can strengthen the faithful ones who find themselves in the valleys. The Valley of Sorrow is turned into a spring. The rain also covers it with pools. (Psalms 84:6)  Perowne says. “the pilgrim-band, rich in hope, forget the trials and difficulties of the way; hope changes the rugged and stony waste into living fountains.”   Paul says, Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.  (2 Corinthians 4:16)

Those in pursuit of the sweet fellowship of God must overlook the obstacles and press on to the goal.  “Sing on ye joyful pilgrims, the time will not be long, till in our Father’s kingdom we swell a nobler song, Where those we love are waiting to greet us on the shore, We’ll meet beyond the river where surges roll no more.”

By George Slover

"For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God Than dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold From those who walk uprightly. (Psalms 84:10-11)

It would be difficult to find a more intense expression of devotion in all of the Old Testament than the one above.  To prefer a day in God’s court over a thousand elsewhere would be considered a strange desire to many.  Few would sympathize with such a fanatic.  Even good people might relegate such an expression to a mad man!  The language here is an expression of one who greatly delights in God.  

What is the source his joyful devotion?  First, there is the joy of praise. “I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth”. (Psalms 34:1) Second, there is the joy of communion with God.   “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want”. (Psalms 23:1)  Third, there is the joy of fellowship with God’s people- the common prayer, the harmonious praise, and the sharing of a common salvation.  Fourth, there is the joy of service- the privilege of opening the door of God’s kingdom as a refuge to the lost, and a place of consolation for believers.

Unfortunately, there are others who would deem such service as “weariness”. (Malachi 1:13)  To them a sense of duty exceeds a sense of privilege, and obedience means constraint rather than joy!  Joyless service is neither profitable nor acceptable.  What a disappointment to the Father when his children take no delight in drawing near to him!

Here is a challenge for you the reader.  Which truly brings delight?  Which truly has your heart’s devotion?  Is it God’s service or the world?

By George Slover

 

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field."(Matthew 13:44)

A boy’s favorite pastime is playing in the dirt.  When I was young our back alley was the perfect place to allow our imaginations to run wild.  It was a place to build a city, play “Army”, or search for hidden treasure.  We would dig and dig and dig and never find a thing.

On a more important spiritual level, God has treasure that is available to anyone who desires it.  The short parable above speaks of such hidden treasure -  it is the kingdom of heaven.  It is the joy of having Jesus rule in our life with all of the wonderful blessings that accompany his rule. (Luke17:20,21)  Just how one finds this treasure varies.  Some may stumble on to it while others are actively looking, but when it is found it is worth giving up everything else to keep!

Realizing the surpassing value of such fellowship with God should prompt us to give great diligence to nurturing this relationship!  It should motivate us to search the Scriptures daily (Acts 17:10) to become more acquainted with the author.  It should inspire us to gladly turn our backs on worldly friends and pleasure, (Luke 9:62) and remain steadfast through tribulations.  (Acts 14:22)

Anything worth possessing demands sacrifice and hard work.  Unfortunately, many will turn Christ away relying on self-reliance or the rewards of the world.  However, a few wandering, empty souls will gladly receive the secure position of God’s kingdom!  

By George Slover
 

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18)

Here Paul compares human wisdom with the wisdom of God.  It was by his wisdom that God chose to redeem man by an instrument of death- the cross.  To those who accept the cross it is the power of God to salvation.  To those who reject the cross, it is deemed foolish.

Among those who rejected the message of the cross were Jews.  To them the cross was a tree of shame (Deuteronomy 1:23), and the one executed accursed of God!  The Jew looked for a military deliverer, but not for a martyred Messiah.  They looked for their king to deliver by the sword and not by death!  Thus, the cross was a stumbling block to the Jews.

The Greeks were interested in primarily one thing- “can man find God by his own wisdom?”  He was not interested in any revelation of God to man.  They found no value in a crucified Jew.  They looked for health, beauty, and power and had no sympathy for a martyr.  They believed man could save himself by some new philosophy, but not by something as shallow as a cross.

Do we make the same mistake today?  Do we water down this powerful instrument of salvation by our own schemes?  Some attempt to draw the multitudes by a social gospel with the carnal enticements of coffee, donuts, and fun.  Others trust in the method or in the messenger rather than the power of the message.

We must be a band of soldiers wholly dedicated to the cross fully trusting in its power.   What else can give man an awareness of sin, inspire the humble to pursue a life of holiness, and motivate the unruly to live disciplined, consecrated lives?  The answer:  nothing but the cross of Jesus!

By George Slover 

Jesus answered and said to him, "Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things? (John 3:10)

The above is a portion of a recorded conversation of Jesus with Nicodemus, a Jewish ruler.  This man was a member of the Sanhedrin, and an official ruler of Israel.  He was one who was to be well acquainted with Moses’ law and an instructor of the people. 

The question of Jesus is quite sobering.  Jesus plainly reveals the ignorance of Nicodemus.  Here was a man whose role was teacher in Israel who had missed simple truths of God’s word.  The Old Testament had plainly testified of the identity of the Messiah, yet many Jews rejected him when he was in their very presence!

Would Jesus ask us the same question?  Would he say to us, “You look in the Scripture, but you fail to understand my will”?  We must lay aside all of the prejudices and meticulously examine his word that we might understand his precepts.

By George Slover