What joy for those who can live in your
house, always singing your praises. What joy for those whose strength
comes from the Lord, who have set their minds on a pilgrimage to
Jerusalem. When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will
become a place of refreshing springs. The autumn rains will clothe it
with blessings. They will continue to grow stronger, and each of them
will appear before God in Jerusalem. Psalm 84: 4-7 NLT
A pilgrimage to Jerusalem is a holy
experience. These days, you would not walk all the way there as the
psalmist would have known. However, you would certainly walk within
the city when you arrived.
I am not certain where the valley of
weeping is but it most likely would be in the area around the city.
The city is on a hill surrounded by valleys. This particular valley
may be referring to where Rebecca's nurse, Deborah, was buried as
she was buried in a place named Oak of Weeping. The point for the
psalmist is that there would be no crying. Rather, the pilgrim would
find refreshment, knowing that they were so close to the Holy of
Holies in Jerusalem. Instead of weariness, the pilgrim would be
strengthened with joy.
Do you experience joy as you approach
your place of worship? Or do you find yourself weeping instead? Are
you refreshed even as you journey to the sanctuary or are you filled
with dread?
God, give us renewal and joy as we come
to worship you in your sanctuary. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Copyright 2012 Amelia G. Sims
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