Two-Minute Manna

The psalmist is thinking about those who would make their way to the Tabernacle, and later, to the Temple. Leaving their villages, as all of the men were commanded to do three times yearly, families would travel together to Jerusalem to worship the Lord. No doubt, they would anticipate coming into the city and being in the presence of the Lord. But on the way, they would pass through the valley of Baca. The root of the word baca means “weeping.” We’re not sure where this valley is geographically. It could even be a poetic picture the psalmist is painting. However, whatever the case historically, we can find ourselves going through tearful valleys presently.

The tears we shed on our way to the house of the Lord - toward Heaven, ultimately - actually form pools that provide refreshment for others on their own pilgrimage. That is why Paul would write, “Blessed be the Father of mercy, the God of all comfort who comforts us in our trouble in order that we may be able to comfort others with the comfort we ourselves have received (see 2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

You can’t be a comforter unless you’ve been comforted. And you can’t be comforted unless you’ve been uncomfortable. So God allows us the privilege of being made uncomfortable from time to time, to walk through the valley of Baca, so that the One who wipes away every tear can minister deeply to us in order that we can help others (Revelation 21:4). The Lord is so good to allow us to experience what Paul calls the fellowship of suffering (Philippians 3:10) that we might help others and let them know the Lord will see them through, even as He has done for us.