This past Sunday, guest speaker Rob Snow, preached a message entitled "Journey in the Valley." Drawing from Psalm 84:5-7, Rob reminded us that God’s presence is not limited to the mountaintop moments of life but is with us even in the valleys of sadness, despair, and uncertainty. He explained that the valley of Baca, an arid place watered by tears, becomes a place of springs as God meets His people there and leads them from strength to strength. Pastor Rob emphasized that God knows our valleys and hears our groaning, pointing to His presence throughout Scripture and ultimately to Jesus, who experienced the deepest valley on the cross. Yet through Christ, the valley becomes a place of redemption, making it possible for us to be with God on the mountain. This message encourages us to trust that God is present with us in every valley and that He can bring hope, renewal, and redemption even from our deepest places of sorrow.
✍️ Notes Title: Journey in the Valley – Rob Snow
“Happy are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. As they go through the valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools. They go from strength to strength; the God of gods will be seen in Zion.” Psalm 84:5-7
On the Mountain with God: Israel journeys to the temple mount to experience his presence. Israel experiences God’s shalom when in his presence: “all is right because God reigns.” (Psalm 84:2)
In the Valley with God: ⭑ Baca is an arid valley watered only with tears ⭑ But this sadness doesn’t last long
In the Valley with God: “As they go through the valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools. They go from strength to strength; the God of gods will be seen in Zion.” (Ps 84: 6-7)
God Knows the Valleys ⭑ Psalms of lament account for 1/3 of the Psalms (Ps 13:1-2) ⭑ Psalm 84 affirms that God’s presence is not beyond the place of sadness and despair. ⭑ Even more, the presence of God.
God Knows the Valleys ⭑ God heard their groaning. (Exodus 2:24) ⭑ “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matt 27:46) ⭑ “That very Spirit intercedes wit groanings too deep for words.” (Rom 8:26)
God Knows the Valleys ⭑ God, in the person of his son Jesus, experienced a great and terrible valley on the cross. ⭑ But that valley made it possible to be on the mountain with him. ⭑ The valley is the place of redemption.
