From strength to strength

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"Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
    whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.
6 
As they pass through the Valley of Baka,
    they make it a place of springs;
    the autumn rains also cover it with pools.
7 
They go from strength to strength,
    till each appears before God in Zion." Psalm 84: 5-7

God has brought to my mind Psalm 84:5-7 several times this weekend. This passage is referring to our pilgrimage; or the race of life we have set out before us. The Valley of Baka, which literally translates to The Valley of Tears, refers to the difficult times we endure throughout this pilgrimage. Just as any traveler needs water to survive, the rain comes during our times of trouble which help us make it through. God gives us the strength we need to keep going until the day we meet our Heavenly Father.

We all have rough situations that we must go through. This Psalm reassures us that God will carry us from strength to strength, giving us exactly what we need for each situation. As we travel along this rocky road and endure the Valley of Tears, God is right there with us, providing all that we need and carrying us to the next strength that is needed for the journey.

This morning, while at church, I got asked several times how I was feeling. I could honestly say that I am feeling SO much better! It was so wonderful to be at church this morning and to be feeling almost 100% again! As I consider the past two weeks and all that I have endured, I can easily see how God has carried me. As I went through the Valley of Baka, God gave me exactly what I needed. He brought me to the other side of this rough time. 


Today I am thankful that I am feeling so much better and that God carried me through this. The Valley of Baka is different each time we pass through it but God is always faithful. Regardless of what my family encounters, I can always trust Him to provide for us and carry us through. 


My strength is in the Lord. My heart is set on the pilgrimage. As I have passed through the Valley of Baka, I have drank of the springs and the rain that God has provided for me. I have been carried from strength to strength as I continue the race toward my Heavenly Father!


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