ASCEND. Week 12. April 27, 2025. Psalm 84:5-7 Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, whose heart is set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a spring; the rain also covers it with pools. They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion. Journey with Christ. A Matter of the Heart. Valleys are Inevitable. Ever Strengthening. 1. A Matter of the Heart. Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, whose heart is set on pilgrimage. (:5) Hebrews 12:1–2 …let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. The Psalms of Ascent are full of dependence on God. Proverbs 3:5-6. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. God as our Source of strength. …all we have accomplished is really from You. - Isaiah 26:12 NLT 2. Valleys are Inevitable. As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a spring; the rain also covers it with pools. (:6) Baca - tears, weeping, sorrow, hardship, barrenness, drought, dryness, difficulty, trouble. God is the God of the mountains and the valleys. Valleys are inevitable, BUT they don’t have to halt your journey. None of the things that happen, none of the trouble you encounter, have any power to get between you and God. They can’t dilute His grace in you; can’t divert His will from you. Isaiah 40:4-5 Every valley shall be exalted and every mountain and hill brought low; the crooked places shall be made straight and the rough places smooth; the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken. Psalm 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me. The valley is inevitable but purposeful. It’s a place of formation. Isaiah 41:17-18 The poor and needy seek water, but there is none, their tongues fail for thirst. I, the Lord, will hear them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them. I will open rivers in desolate heights, and fountains in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water. 2 Corinthians 1:6-7 NLT Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us. 3. Ever Strengthening. They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion. (:7) 2 Corinthians 4:16-17 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. Depending on the Lord is not a weakness but a strengthening. Those who trust in the Lord are unshakeable and protected and will encounter His goodness. (Psalm 125) God strengthens our heart. My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. - Psalm 73:26 God strengthens our faith. He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God. - Romans 4:20 Jude 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit. God strengthens our weakness. He gives power to the weak, and strength to the powerless. - Isaiah 40:29 God strengthens us daily. His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning. - Lamentations 3:22–23 God strengthens us through the church. So the churches were strengthened in the faith and increased in number daily. - Acts 16:5 Psalm 84:3 Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young—even Your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up. Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one be warm alone? Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken. God strengthens through community. Encourage and build one another up. (1 Thessalonians 5:11) Pray for one another. (James 5:16) Greet one another. (Romans 16:16, 1 Corinthians 16:20, 2 Corinthians 13:12) Accept one another. (Romans 15:7) Love one another. (John 13:34, 1 Thessalonians 4:9, 1 Peter 1:22, 1 John 3:11) Bear one another’s burdens. (Galatians 6:2) Serve one another. (Galatians 5:13) Be devoted to one another. (Romans 12:10) Rejoice with one another; weep with one another. (Romans 12:15) Psalm 84:10 NLT A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else! I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God than live the good life in the homes of the wicked.