The Valley Walks: Baca, Dry Bones, Elah... and Decision

1. Valley of Baca; the furnace

Psa 84:5-6 ESV — Blessed 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.

The Valley of Baca is a valley of weeping. In this valley is a plant that lives in the desert sorrow and dryness. (I would like to find one of these, to water with a can of tears, as they still do come now and then)

The Hebrew word baca is related to bakah, which means “to weep.” Baca refers to a type of “weeping” tree; that is, one that drips resin or gum-like tears, such as a balsam, mulberry, or aspen tree. In 2 Samuel 5:23, bakaim is translated as “balsam trees” (ESV).

This is the valley for my season of my refining. The breaking and the undoing of a cord of three. The valley where the strength of self was stripped... and the roots of faith in Jesus went deeper while my bark wept tears of resin.

I walked through all but empty handed. Eyes weeping tears of blood. God turned my weeping into worship and a new voice from the heart was birthed.

In Baca, the springs didn’t come from the ground but from heaven and only after the surrender. This was not where I stayed but the valley I passed through. 

In the passing, I was changed.

2. Valley of Dry Bones; the growth 

Eze 37:3-5 ESV — And he said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” And I answered, “O Lord GOD, you know.” Then he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD. Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live.

There was a time when I felt lifeless. Devoid of passion, a vision, an identity. I knew the language of faith... but not the power! I waited in the dry and the dark.

The Valley of Dry Bones is a valley of awakening. The bones weren’t just brittle... they were disconnected. Stewn about before the yawning mouth of Sheoul but He brought them back together again! This is the valley of Spiritual awakening. My flesh returned. My breath returned.

A standing army of purpose was born from dust and is felt in the heart. My spirit is not just revived but it is re-formed.  It is a daily activity to seek an alignment with His voice. I didn’t and couldn't do it. I can't do it - nothing I do can! I can only respond in repentance with reverent fear and obedience. Is this not the Lord of all creation? He is the Alpha and Omega! Selah.

In the passing I was changed.

3. Valley of Elah, the surrender to victory in faith

1Sa 17:46-49 ESV — This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the LORD saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give you into our hand.” When the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine. And David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone and slung it and struck the Philistine on his forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the ground.

The Valley of Elah is a valley of standing. This the name of the valley where David met Goliath.  The armies of Israel stood in fear! Who would face this giant? A small boy with faith and a stone... he alone remembered that the battle It belongs to the Lord!

I’m know I'm not a David. But perhaps I have his heart? It is such reflection of mine. Of both the good and the bad parts.  

So I carry with me a white stone and a new name: little king. With it comes a willingness to stand when others run. Not because of confidence in myself. No. But because I know the One who goes before me. The One who provides the living water! So the leaves may remain green, even in the desert heat. This is the valley where obedience  and faith meets a victory. Not by might or education or notoriety... but by His Spirit.

In the passing I was changed.

There are three valleys (at least) where light is not overcome by the darkness:

• One of a refining fire. 
• One of a breath for revival. 
• One of a giant-slaying God.

Do you weep my beloved? Awaken sleeper! Stand strong in faith of His promises! 

He is with you in every valley. And He is not done with you as He is not yet done with me:

Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6 

Blessed be the Prince of Peace! He paid the price of stripes for our healing! 

There may be more valleys to come. I wait, expectantly, for the day of my King. A day when we all will walk in different valley - the valley of decision.