THE VALLEY OF TEARS.
Psalm 84:5-7.
“Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee, in whose heart are the ways” (Psalm 84:5). So reads the Hebrew, without adding any extra words into the translation. The word for “ways” here speaks of a prepared way, as for when a ruling monarch is approaching on their royal tour (cf. Isaiah 40:3-4; Matthew 3:1-3).
So what kind of person is able to say, ‘my strength is in the LORD’ (cf. Psalm 84:5) or ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me’ (Philippians 4:13)? It is a person whose heart has been prepared by the Holy Spirit, that they may ‘repent’ (meaning ‘change their mind about God’)! The light of God has shined into their hearts (2 Corinthians 4:6), and they are made new people in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Not only are we made new people, but now we are enabled to “walk uprightly” (Psalm 84:11) upon the path of righteousness. We have a new purpose, a new direction in our lives. ‘This is the way, walk ye in it,’ says the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 30:21).
When we are walking in God’s way, it is the LORD who leads us (Genesis 24:27). When we face trials in “the valley of tears" (Psalm 84:6), we can be assured that the LORD knows our way, and will not only bring us through, but will bring us out better (Psalm 23:4; Job 23:10). In all these things we are made ‘more than conquerors through Him that loved us’ (Romans 8:37-39).
The pilgrimage of this life may well be for us a vale of tears, but nevertheless we go on from strength to strength, and will at last appear before God (Psalm 84:7; cf. 2 Corinthians 4:17; Romans 8:18). ‘In this world you shall have tribulation,’ said Jesus, ‘but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world’ (John 16:33).
