A Christian life is a journey toward the eternal destination of Heaven. The essence of this journey is described in the Psalms. (Psalm 84:5-7)
Blessed: The person who gets strength in the Lord is blessed. Sins are forgiven, and the joy of salvation is there. (Psalm 51:12) He does not derive strength from the world. The strength is rooted in Love for the Lord and His dwelling. The joy of the Lord is the strength of disciples. (Nehemiah 8:10)
Pilgrimage: A Blessed person sees life as a pilgrimage toward the eternal dwelling place of God. A disciple regards oneself as a visitor or a pilgrim, or a temporary resident in the world. All come to the world with nothing, and cannot take anything with them. (I Timothy 6:7)
Valley of Baca: The blessed people have to go through valleys and hills. But, blessed have the confidence that God is with them, even when they walk through the valley of the shadow of death. (Psalm 23: 4) The valley of Baca means crying, weeping, and lamenting. It could also mean drought and dryness. Yes, there are difficult phases in the journey.
Spring and Rain: With the strength of the Lord and the spiritual maturity of a believer, the dangerous and difficult place is transformed into a place of blessing, prosperity, and abundance. In the valleys of weeping, there are refreshing, renewing streams of consolation.
Strength to strength: A believer with blessedness, abundance of water, goes from strength to strength, does not become weak. Hence, will faint or weary but continue the journey. God adds grace to grace, strength to strength, love to love, making the journey memorable and precious.
Appears before the Lord: They confidently continue the journey until they appear before the Lord to enter the Eternal Rest. The privileged enter the Eternal Rest earlier than many others. Death is the doorway to the entry through the gates of heaven. Hence, precious is the death of saints, as they enter His presence. (Psalm 116:15)
Am I a joyful and strong pilgrim on my journey towards heaven?