Valley of Baca

Well,
you know I really thank the Lord for those times where people comfort me and dig a cistern for me when I am in a valley of Baca.

Wait.. hahah... No la... Bertrand is not emo-ing. In fact I am brimming with a serene joy as I write this.

Thinking back, I look down upon the valley and see how many bridges and cisterns were built for my sake in the past and the guidance Hosea, Pastor Mark, Roland and my other leaders gave.

It is my privilege to help others who went through or are going the Valley of Baca.

I rejoice in the Lord and enjoy His blessings. At least with people who are in the valley of Baca, I can say I know to how you feel, for my footsteps can still be seen in the sand in that valley. I would like to help as long as you as you would like to share ya.... :D I rejoice in being able to share the burden with you, to share with you how God has pulled me out of Baca.

While reflecting after church camp, God spoke to me.
King David, despite being the greatest king of all, went through deeper Valley of Bacas then we actually think. Just recount his experiences trying to hide away from assailants in the country that he was told he was going tobe anionted king. Even as King, his own son Absalom staged a coup and David had to run out of the his land God had set him to care for. To make matters worse, his own son slept with 10 of his wives in a tent so that the Israelite people could see. Incest!!!
Imagine the pain, hurt, jealousy, sadness, contradiction, confusion that King David had to go through. Wow, but King David to this day is still respected as the greatest King of Israel.

Why do God allow people to go through the Valley of Baca?
One reason is to let your flesh die away and hence the Spirit can be in power.
(Read Job and 1 Cor 5. Note that Job was an upright man while the example in 1 Cor 5 shows is about a man who was doing evil. -- Both still need to go through Baca.)

A verse to encouragement:
1 Peter 5: 10
"10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you."

Joyful, joyful, out of Baca I come, declaring that Jesus lives and He is your everpresent help and saviour.

Happily,
Bertrand