Making the Valley a Place of Springs
As I was reading Psalm 84 today, the concept of making the valley a place of springs jumped out at me. I read these words with new meaning that I had never noticed before. What impressed upon me were the instructions given for how to be blessed and greatly favored by God.
“Blessed and greatly favored are those who dwell in Your house and Your presence;
They will be singing Your praises all the day long. Selah. Blessed and greatly favored is the man whose strength is in You, In whose heart are the highways to Zion. Passing through the Valley of Weeping (Baca), they make it a place of springs; The early rain also covers it with blessings.” Psalm 84:4-6 AMP
- Dwell in God’s house and in His Presence
- Sing God’s praises all the day long
- Find strength in God
- Have your heart set on following God
- Make the valley a place of springs
- See the rain as a blessing
These instructions inspired three applications for me to implement in my daily life: awe, action and attitude.
Awe
Awe came to mind as I thought about how I should feel in God’s presence. When I take time to physically dwell in His house of brick and mortar or to dwell in His presence within me, my body finds supernatural rest, peace and joy. When I allow my thoughts to dwell on who He is, His marvelous deeds and His unfailing love, it evokes awe. This awe inspires me to praise Him, taking my focus off of my circumstances and onto our Almighty God. Oh that I would dwell in His presence and sing praises to Him more.
Action
I realized how my awe inspires action. Dwelling on who He is and what He has done made me want to praise, sing, dance! These verses also instruct us to find our strength in God and set our hearts to follow Him. This takes action on our part. We have free will as we choose what path to follow but God even says our hearts are deceitful and desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9). Our flesh says to follow our hearts, but God says to follow Him. Oh that I would have my heart set on following God all the day long.
Attitude
What is action without looking at my heart attitude? As a young Christian I prided myself on my righteous actions but my heart was set on people pleasing not on God. I had to ask myself, when I walk through the valley do I make it a place of springs seeing the rain as a blessing? Or do I complain, doubt and question God for having to walk through the valley and plead with Him to take me up the mountain? Oh that my heart attitude would be, “not my will but Yours be done”.
Abundance
Following these instructions leads to abundant blessings bestowed on us through refreshing springs and pools of water in the wilderness. How easy it is to forget in the valley the awesomeness of God, to praise Him, to rely on His strength, and to intentionally follow Him. Oh that I would remember Him everyday I wait for abundant rain to make pools in my wilderness.
What might God be asking you to do as you consider your awe, actions and attitudes in response to these instructions?