No camping, keep moving, keep pressing on. Do not settle here.

Just because the Lord is leading you through the Valley of Baca, בְּעֵמֶק הַבָּכָא, the Valley of Weeping, does not mean He expects you to camp there – you are just passing through.

“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. They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion. O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer;

Give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah” (Ps. 84:5-8).

As the psalmist indicates, there are times of distress, and during those times we must remind ourselves that our strength and hope is from the Lord, before whom we will appear. In fact, it is to Him that we are traveling on this pilgrim journey.

The longing to be in God’s house, before Him and joined with brethren, gives necessary strength for the journey. Thus, with blessing (springs/water) and hope, we go from strength to strength on this pilgrim way.

Keeping this in mind, in Beca there will be springs and rain, both indications of blessing, and life; even in the midst of trial and difficulty. Yet, as the author urges, you are still just passing through.

As you move through the bottomlands, those deep marshy places overshadowed by towering summits, where life looks so grand and majestic, remember: when God leads you into the valley it means that He knows how to lead you out (Ps. 23:1-6). Still, there is a promise.

As He leads you, remember, He is always with you, as your Emmanuel, as Yeshua/Jesus said, “and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen” (Matt. 28:20).

I pray you find encouragement in these simple words today, and strength to keep pressing on.

Be well. Shalom.