Passing through the valley of weeping

 

"As they pass through the valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools." - Psalm 84:6

The valley of Baka (or Baca) was known as the place of weeping. It may have been a reference to the indigenous trees found in the valley, that oozed sap from their bark. However, it could also have been a simple a reference to a place that witnessed a lot of pain and tears. 

What I like about the image is that there is a purpose in the weeping. The tears become springs of living water and there are signs of life, despite the pain and suffering. I see this as a message of hope for our troubled world. Even though we will all travel through some valleys of pain, God will use our tears to bring life and hope.

“Tears are God’s gift to us. Our holy water. They heal us as they flow.” — Rita Schiano

Living in Grace

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A Valley of Dry Bones - Lent 37

Arguably one of the most well known passages from Ezekiel is chapter 37. We have heard sermons preached on this topic and it is one of the more hopeful messages of Ezekiel. The promise of God bringing the dry bones of a nation back to life is remarkable. Reading these words in Holy Week we find that it is another glimpse of the miracle of the Resurrection. With God all things are possible and God has the ability to raise an army, even from the dry bones buried underground.

¹¹ Then he said to me: “Son of man, these bones are the people of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.’ ¹² Therefore prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: My people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. ¹³ Then you, my people, will know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. ¹⁴ I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord.’” - Ezekiel 37

Thought: Do you see a connection between this vision and the events of Holy Week? Does it offer you hope for some of the difficulties you are facing in your life at the moment?


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