Tears that bring life

The sons of Korah were the joint authors of Psalm 84, but who exactly was their father/ ancestor, Korah? It would appear that Korah was the same man who, with Dathan and Abiram, opposed Moses, and the judgment of God fell upon them all such that the earth swallowed them up (see Num. 16:1 – 35). But God saved Korah's sons and his lineage.

Like the sons of Korah, maybe we have "skeletons in the closet" when we review our family histories. Maybe sexual offences, drugs, domestic violence, emotional control. etc, bring a sense of sorrow and shame. Maybe like the sons of Korah we know only too well what it is like to travel through the Valley of Baca (tears) that they wrote about in Psalm 84 (v6).

The good news is that the sons of Korah had their heart set on pilgrimage – they were not going to let their family history define who they were (v5). They came from a place of God's historical judgement, but were travelling towards the courts of the Lord (v2, 10). Their journey was not easy as they travelled through the Valley of Baca (tears), BUT as they went, their journey brought life, because their tears made the Valley of Baca a place of springs.

To some, tears may seem like a sign of weakness, but as we walk with God in our own pilgrimages our tears all work to refresh the dark, lonely, valley places that causes life to spring up as we pass along. Listen to Psalm 126:5,6

Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.

As we turn to pray today, don't be embarrassed by tears of pain, frustration, or anger that we might shed as we bring before the Lord the ungodly ways of our family, our friends, our community, or our nation. Tears produce the watering that is part of the sowing and reaping process that ultimately leads to new life.