Brown's Daily Word 9-17-10

Good morning,
Praise the Lord for this day the Lord has made. Today is my birthday, which I share with my twin brother Rodney Haines. Thank you for your greetings and goodwill. I am blessed beyond measure. Praise the Lord for His church and for His saints. It is a wonderful honor and privilege to serve Jesus as our Lord and King.
I am reading from Psalm 84 this morning, a song of pilgrimage, about going on a journey. Every Jewish male was required to worship at the temple at least three times a year if at all possible (Deut. 16:16). For many families, it was the highlight of the year, to be able to go to Jerusalem and see the sights and sounds of the big city, to be able to enter into the temple and see the splendor of it. Many traveled great distances and endured hardship to be able to make it to Jerusalem. The way was sometimes discouraging, so they would sing and worship as they traveled. This psalm is believed to be one of the songs that they sang to remind them, especially during the discouraging parts of the journey, of the glory of God’s house. This psalm is expressed with deep longing for the presence of God, to be in His house, to be in His courts, and to dwell in His presence is the object of this psalm. For many of them that traveled, it was like a homecoming, they would see family that had not seen for a while, but still the highlight was to be in the temple of God, worshipping and praising Him.
Outside of Jerusalem, was a valley called the Valley of Baca. Most of pilgrims had to pass through this valley to enter into Jerusalem. I have heard several ideas about the Valley of Baca, some scholars believe it was a garbage heap or a dump that the pilgrims passed by, while other scholars believe it takes its name from the Balsam tree. Balsam trees grow in dry places, so it is believed that the Valley of Baca was a harsh, dry, place that would test the patience of the pilgrims as they journeyed to meet with God. Such a valley exists between the Jordan and Jerusalem even today. The Balsam tree, at a certain time, weeps its sap. There is no doubt that this reminded the travelers of the tears that they themselves shed while on the journey. Baca also means "weeping" in the Hebrew language, so many see it as a place of great sorrow.
We also have our valleys of Baca that we pass through on our way to the new Jerusalem. When I read this psalm I am reminded of the story about an old country preacher who was asked his favorite part of the Bible. He replied, “My favorite part is that one that says, “and it came to pass”. Someone told him that didn’t make any sense, why not choose a passage like the 23rd Psalm, or the Golden rule. He replied, “Those verse are mighty good too, but I like “and it came to pass”. He was then asked what is so special about that verse. He said, “I know that whatever I go through, no manner how bad it is, that it too will come to pass, and I will make it through.”
Remember that we are each on a pilgrimage. Baca is not our home. II Corinthians 4:17 stataes, "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory".
Paul's words say that here our troubles, our valleys, are only for a moment, especially when it is compared with the eternal weight of God’s glory. That is what the pilgrims needed to remember while traveling through the Valley of Baca. They had to keep in mind the glories of God’s temple, and the joy of being in His courts. We must all keep our eye on the prize.
When traveling through the Valley of Baca, remember those mountain top experiences and the joy of being in God’s presence. Think about what it is like to be above the storm clouds and bask in the sunshine of His presence. Remember the promises of God, the providence of God, the presence of God, and the power of God.
David said that pilgrims make a well, or dig a well, while in the Valley of Baca, to refresh themselves so they can continue on their way. Sometimes what we have to do as we travel through the Valley of Baca is make the extra effort and dig down to find the refreshment that we need to make it through the Valley. We need to dig into the promises of God’s word. We need to dig into the presence of God in prayer. It is great to be in the temple, worshipping and praising God. It is also great to rejoice in the courts of the Almighty, but God walks with His own, even in the Valley of Baca. He desires that we seek Him with all of our heart. We need to dig deeply into the grace of God. I have seen again and again that when people go through great trouble and affliction, and when they dig deep, they get close to God. I have seen mothers whose husbands have left them alone grow stronger in the Lord, not allowing Satan to defeat them. I have seen those who have lost a loved one to death grow stronger and find more grace to continue for God. God’s grace is more than enough, and is still so even today for those who travel through their own Valley of Baca.
THE PILGRIM INCREASES IN STRENGTH IN THE VALLEY OF BACA. David said in verse 7 that they go from strength to strength. While we do not like valleys, it is in the valley that our faith is exercised, and we grow in strength. They go from victory to victory, from might to might. Every difficulty we must overcome means a higher strength to overcome difficulties until, finally, every obstacle is overcome and we enter in before the presence of the King. Every one that digs deep makes it to Zion, the holy city, to appear before the Lord. If we dig deep, God will give us the strength we need to make it through.
Isaiah 40:31 "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."
In Christ , our Eternal Companion,
Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VdUiKagWjU
Saturday Evening Worship Services.

Every Saturday at 6:30 PM
Beginning Saturday, September 18, 2010
Location: First United Methodist Church,
53 McKinley Avenue
Endicott, New York.
Sponsored by the Union Center United Methodist Church.
Pastor: Rev. Brown Naik

The first of our Saturday evening worship services will be held on Saturday September 18, 2010 at 6:30 PM, with Rev. Earle Cowden will preaching. 6 .00 PM :Gathering for Coffee and Refreshments The Worship and Praise Band from Davis College will be leading in worship. Ministry for the youth and the children will be provided. The public is invited to join us. For information call: 607-748-6329. 607-427-9098
Saturday , September 25, 2010
6 PM Gathering for Coffee and Refreshments
6.30 PM Worship Service
Special Music by " A Touch of Christ"
Message by Brown Naik