Psalm 84 is a pilgrimage psalm where the psalmist expresses his longing to be in God’s presence in the temple in Jerusalem. We don’t know for sure, but his access to the temple may have been cut off due to a military incursion by a hostile neighbor. Regardless of the regional tensions, the psalmist speaks of a “Valley of Baca,” a place of dryness and desolation that stood between him and the temple. What is the dry place, the difficulty, that you are facing right now? The psalmist acknowledges that it is possible to turn the Valley of Baca into a place of springs. I don’t know about you, but I want to be able to turn my dry places into places of life and abundance. What was the psalmist’s secret? Those who find their strength in God and who have set their hearts on pilgrimage can transform the Valley of Baca into a place of springs. As we seek the Lord and rely on Him for strength, we will experience his life, hope, and peace, even as we walk through the valleys.

David and Jonathan enjoyed a close relationship marked by loyalty. Saul, in one of his fits of jealous rage, instructed Jonathan and all the royal attendants to kill David (1 Sam. 19:1). Because Jonathan loved David, he spurned his father’s request and instead warned David of Saul’s murderous intentions (v. 2). Jonathan even tried to change his father’s view of David by speaking well of him (v. 4). He reminded Saul that David had done nothing to harm him personally and that what David had done had actually benefitted Saul greatly.

Jonathan was willing to risk losing his father’s favor or worse because of his commitment to David. Of course, it is possible to take loyalty too far. Yet, Jonathan’s example encourages us to demonstrate and facilitate in our ministries a type of sacrificial loyalty that serves the interests of others, the team, and the larger Kingdom of God.

Even though Saul had enjoyed God’s blessing himself in the past, he was not secure enough to rejoice when others received that same blessing. Saul became afraid of David (1 Sam. 18:6-16). In fact, David became his enemy simply because God had given him success.

Father. Help us to rejoice with those who rejoice – to celebrate with those who experience success. Help us not to become jealous of them, but to support them, pray for them and bless them so that they might experience continued success in the future. Amen.