When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of refreshing springs. The autumn rains will clothe it with blessings. (Psalm 84:6)
I had lost my purpose. Discouragement and lack of direction overwhelmed me. Frustration gripped the inner-most part of my heart. I didn’t know what to do. Sadness began to set in. Then a friend looked into my eyes and said, “Go put your face in a pillow and cry your eyes out before God.” I did. It wasn’t hard. I was ready to cry. My valley of weeping became a spring of life in that place of prayer! Direction and new life came at the altars of God. I found my way. His name was the Lord of hosts. It was Him all along.
Our first child was lost through miscarriage. Grief overtook us. I placed my head on my wife’s shoulder and together we wept. For months grief and sadness welled up within us. Then we decided to make a spring in the deepest part of the valley of weeping. We worshiped. For hours, days, weeks, and months we worshiped. That season will be forever etched into our memories as a place of refreshing springs. We found our Reward. It was Him all along.
My daughter almost lost her ability to walk. Guillain-Barre syndrome took her strength, her nerves, and her reflexes. It was a tough, deep, and long valley. It broke me down. In my emotional, spiritual, and physical exhaustion I fell back on my bed. I began to weep before God. As I wept and prayed a picture entered my mind. I saw my daughter running and saying, “Daddy look, I’m doing it!” I crawled out of bed, got on my knees, and worshiped my King. That day in the valley I went from strength to strength. For it was that day that my worshipful weeping appeared before God. He looked upon me and I looked upon His glory and grace. It was Him I desired all along.
I’ve learned something in the deepest part of the valley of weeping. I have learned that if I dig deep (real deep), and allow God to dig deeply into me, that I will find springs of life. Sometimes they begin with a trickle, but if I keep digging I will break through into one of the Almighty’s wells of Living Water. Then my weeping turns into joy, and with that joy I draw more water from the wells of salvation.
Allow your soul to long, even faint for the presence of God. Allow your heart and flesh to cry out for the living God. The altars of the Lord are your rightful home. There is a blessing over those who dwell in Gods house and worship Him continually. Strength comes to those who have their heart set on Him. Strength to stand up in the middle of the valley of weeping and worship the Holy and undivided Trinity (Father, Son, and Spirit). God hears in these moments. He is our shield! He is our Sun, lighting the path through (and out) of the valley. Trust Him.
Mourning can be turned into comfort. Blessed are those who have experienced this!
