Read verse 5-8 in full, then below I've copied it again and added my reflections to it. I hope it is a blessing to you.
5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.
6 As they pass through the Valley of Baca,
they make it a place of springs;
the autumn rains also cover it with pools. [b]
7 They go from strength to strength,
till each appears before God in Zion.
listen to me, O God of Jacob.
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5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.
Each year the Israelites took three pilgrimages to Jerusalem to celebrate their festivals. The psalmist is evidently in a place where he can no longer go on pilgrimage, and is mourning that fact; even being jealous of the birds who are able to build their nests in the temple (see previous verses 1-4). But the image here is still beautiful--that we can set our hearts on pilgrimage. The journey with Christ is definitely a pilgrimage; it has no end until we meet him face-to-face. It reminds me that this is not our final home, but we are pilgrims, yearning for our heavenly home.
6 As they pass through the Valley of Baca,
they make it a place of springs;
the autumn rains also cover it with pools.
Baca is not known as a literal place, but rather translates "weeping." I think can all relate to the valley of weeping; it is universal to all human experience. "Springs" translates "blessing." As a believer, we can pass through the valleys of weeping in our life with joyful expectation of the refreshment we will experience in Christ.
7 They go from strength to strength,
till each appears before God in Zion.
And here we come to the phrase I've meditated on this week. "From strength to strength." This indicates to me that we are given the strength when we need it. We move from strength to strength. How often have you looked at someone's struggle and thought, "there is no way I could handle that." Well, you're right. However, God gives us the strength we need for what we are in the midst of at that moment; not before, and not after. There are different strengths, and we receive each one when it is needed.
listen to me, O God of Jacob.
How lovely it is to know that God hears our prayers and listens to us! If we only knew how willingly and eagerly he listens to us, we would certainly be humbled and never experience the fear and panic we so often do!
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