Psalm 84:6b

Psalm 84:6b

The autumn rains

It never ceases to amaze me how the Lord God is able to dramatically transform every situation, when we invite Him to become part of it. Darkness becomes light. Barrenness becomes fruitfulness. Deadness becomes life. Here in this verse, the desolate Valley of Baka turns into a place of springs; as the joyful pilgrims pass through, water bubbles up and the arid landscape is transformed into a place of refreshing. 

Autumn rains fall of course in autumn! These “latter” rains in Israel refresh the ground after months of drought and the landscape is completely changed. After a few days the desolate countryside turns to green once more, and the desert starts to bloom. In the Judean desert there are rushing torrents and water pours and collects where only a few days before, there appeared to have been centuries of nothing but sand and rocks. 

Pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem at this time of the year were intent on celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles, or Sukkot, a time for Jews to remember their deliverance from Egypt and also to give thanks for harvest. The Feast is so rich in meaning but it is a vivid reminder for believers, that our journey out of darkness and desolation, is to be completed by the return of Yeshua. Zechariah 14:6 places the Feast of Tabernacles at the centre of God’s future kingdom on earth where all nations will worship him. We may be in the Valley of Baka right now but believe me, it is temporary, we will pass through it and even its darkest shadows will be transformed by the Light of the World. Jesus said so at the Feast of Tabernacles! John 8:12.

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