Are you having a bad day (month, year)?  Were you just informed that a co-worker quit, and you have to assume their job as well?  Have you discovered a $200 mistake in your checkbook—in the bank’s favor?  Are out-of-town guests due in tonight and you just discovered that your basement would make a great wading pool?   And all this before you’ve even brushed your teeth? (Insert own broken plan here).

While running for the Kleenex, grab your Bible and read Psalm 84, especially vs.5-7.  On our journey to Zion, we stumble over many setbacks (set back so far you have to use binoculars to see them).  Plans are broken, and we couldn’t have done a better job if we had hit them with a hammer ourselves.

As we pass through our dry, desolate Valley of Baca, we must watch for the autumn rains (no, not flooding!) that create pools, springs, and growing things (this is good).  If we’ve set our hearts on this pilgrimage, we can go on from strength to strength (no need to stop and wallow in between).  Can a disappointment become a “thisappointment” allowed by the Lord, but with a blessing lurking nearby, just waiting for you to look around and find it? 

Whew!  For a minute there, I thought this Psalm was written only for optimists.  No, we can all “try this at home”.  As we spend time in His Word and train our hearts to yearn for “the courts of the Lord”, we will discover new ways to find God’s faithfulness.