Tuesday, March 9, 2021

Through the Valley of Weeping

 

Tuesday, March 9, 2021

What joy for those whose strength comes from the Lord, who have set their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.  When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of refreshing springs.  The autumn rains will clothe it with blessings.  They will continue to grow stronger, and each of them will appear before God in Jerusalem.  Psalm 84:5-7

Scripture speaks to us on many levels in the same passage.  On one level, the Psalmist speaks of longing for the temple in Jerusalem; on another, this is a picture of those longing for the eternal temple in the very presence of God.  The pilgrimage of which the Psalmist speaks is a journey in this land; for the Psalmist, the valley of weeping is like arriving near Jerusalem through the western Valley of Hinnom, or Gehenna.  It is the place of the most-despised history of Jerusalem’s past, a garbage dump of child sacrifice, tombs, and demons.  It is the place Jesus referred to when he warned people of the dangers of the fires of hell.[1]

By contrast, the Psalmist said passing through this place that borders Jerusalem, would unveil the most refreshing waters of beauty imaginable.  This is what it is like to have walked the arduous pilgrimage road to Jerusalem in those days, braving the dangers of mountains, wild animals, robbers, and thirst, knowing the ground was cursed with the blood of thousands of criminals, sacrificed children, and garbage lit on fire, only to arrive at the holiest of cities.  To call it refreshing hardly does this image justice.

A deeper, more eternal view of this Psalm, casts even the holy city as a place to leave, in favor of the holy city not made with hands – the New Jerusalem.  For any who kneel in honor and reverence of JHWH, this is the end of our holy journey.  We call it Heaven, God’s haven of rest, the throne room, and a thousand other euphemisms of joy, peace, strength, and eternal life.  We call it “home”.

Shortly after I got home from church this past Sunday I learned of the passing of a dear friend.  Donna was the one my bride called “Sissy”.  Elizabeth was an only child so the longing for a sister, and the deep friendship we shared over the years, was a natural.  Along with her husband, Dan, this couple was, perhaps, the happiest, most joyful pair we know.  You could not spend more than a few minutes with them before the laughing began. 

Having served together at a church early in our ministry, we knew of some of their sorrow which was mingled with the joy.  Dan and Donna buried a son, taken too soon. 

I think of my friends this morning because I love them, and because I mourn Donna’s passing, and share some of Dan’s grief.  We talked with Dan by phone on Sunday, sharing memories and past times of joy.  And we spoke of the reunion of God’s family that’s coming one day.  We spoke of what the Psalmist calls those  refreshing waters of the holy city.  And I’m envious of Donna’s day today, splashing around in refreshing, complete, unhindered joy.

I am so happy for “Sissy” and so broken for my friend.  And that’s the way it is on this life’s road…each mile has its own sorrows and joys; each pathway holds its dangers and snares. 

But….one day….

For You Today

Have you set your mind on a pilgrimage to God’s holy city?  The Psalmist says that is where you find joy and refreshing.  That’s a pretty good place to be when your journey takes you through the valley of weeping; it’s where the masks come off, and social distancing evaporates!

You chew on that as you hit the Rocky Road; have a blessed day!  

[1] Title Image:  Courtesy of Pixabay.com    Unless noted, Scripture quoted from The New Living Translation©

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