Journey of Faith: From Valleys to Springs

Summary

Psalm 84 paints a vivid picture of the Christian life as a journey—a pilgrimage with a destination that God has uniquely designed for each of us. We are not meant to remain at our starting point, nor to circle the same mountains of struggle and disappointment. Instead, God calls us to set our hearts on moving forward, trusting that He who began a good work in us will be faithful to complete it. This journey is not without its valleys—seasons of weeping, disappointment, and delay—but these are not dead ends. Rather, they are places where God intends to meet us, to transform our pain into springs of refreshment, and to equip us with something we could not have gained any other way.

The key to advancing on this journey is perseverance. The heroes of faith—Joseph, Ruth, David, Paul, and especially Caleb—were not immune to hardship or failure. What set them apart was their refusal to let setbacks, betrayals, or even the mistakes of others derail their pursuit of God’s promises. They kept showing up, kept leaning on God, and kept moving forward, even when the path was unclear or the waiting seemed endless. God’s word to Joshua after forty years in the wilderness—“Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go”—is a word for us as well. Discouragement and fear are real, but they are not the end of the story.

Passing through the valley of Baca—the valley of weeping—is not optional, but neither is it permanent. God’s promise is that as we walk through these valleys with our hearts set on pilgrimage, He will turn them into springs. The difficulties we endure become the very source of blessing, not only for ourselves but for those who come after us. Caleb’s life is a powerful example: after decades of delay caused by others’ unbelief, he held fast to God’s promise, and in his old age, he claimed his inheritance and passed on springs of blessing to the next generation. Our journey is not just about our own breakthrough, but about leaving a legacy of faith and spiritual inheritance for others.

So, wherever you find yourself today—whether at the beginning, in the valley, or nearing a new season—set your heart on the journey. Refuse to give up, refuse to be dismayed, and ask God for the springs He has promised. There is more ahead, and God is faithful to bring you from strength to strength.

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Key Takeaways

- Set Your Heart on the Journey, Not the Starting Point
God’s intention is never for us to remain where we began. The Christian life is a pilgrimage, a continual movement toward the fullness of His promises. Even if you feel stuck or delayed, God’s plan is for you to advance, and He is faithful to complete what He started in you. Don’t measure your progress by others, but by your own willingness to keep moving forward. [06:13]

- Perseverance Is the Mark of Spiritual Maturity
Every hero of faith faced setbacks, betrayals, and even personal failures, but what distinguished them was their perseverance. They refused to let discouragement or the mistakes of others define their journey. When you feel forgotten or weary, keep showing up—God honors those who do not give up, and He brings breakthrough in His time. [13:09]

- The Valley of Weeping Is a Place of Transformation, Not Defeat
Difficult seasons are inevitable, but they are not meant to be permanent residences. God’s promise is that as we pass through the valley of Baca, He will turn it into a spring—a source of refreshment and new life. The pain and challenges you endure can become the very things God uses to equip you and bless others. [18:37]

- Your Journey Is Not Derailed by Others’ Choices
Like Caleb, you may experience delays or detours because of the decisions of those around you. Yet, God’s promises remain intact for those who hold fast. Refuse to become embittered or distracted by the failures of others; instead, focus on your own faithfulness and readiness to receive what God has for you in this season. [28:33]

- Leave a Legacy of Springs for the Next Generation
The journey is not just about personal breakthrough, but about imparting what you have gained to others. Caleb’s story shows that the springs we receive in our valleys are meant to be passed on, becoming blessings for those who follow. Don’t let your difficult seasons go to waste—ask God to make them a source of life for you and for those who come after you. [32:43]

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Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:00] - Introduction: The Journey of Faith
[02:26] - Avoiding Spiritual Dead Ends
[06:13] - God’s Promise to Complete the Work
[08:34] - It’s Not Where You Start, But Where You’re Going
[10:25] - The Danger of Falling Short
[12:04] - Perseverance Through Setbacks
[13:09] - Overcoming Discouragement and Dismay
[15:01] - God’s Presence in Every Season
[17:06] - Passing Through the Valley of Weeping
[18:37] - Turning Valleys into Springs
[20:39] - Mindset for Breakthrough
[23:30] - From Strength to Strength
[25:56] - Caleb: A Life of Unwavering Faith
[28:33] - Refusing to Be Derailed by Others
[30:24] - Leaving an Inheritance of Springs
[32:43] - Don’t Lose Heart—Hold Fast
[34:17] - Prayer for Strength and Courage

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Psalm 84 – The Journey of Faith

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### Bible Reading

Psalm 84:5-7 (ESV)
> Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. As they go through the Valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools. They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion.

Philippians 1:6 (ESV)
> And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

Joshua 1:9 (ESV)
> Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

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### Observation Questions

1. In Psalm 84:5-7, what does it say happens to those whose hearts are set on pilgrimage? What is the significance of the Valley of Baca in these verses? [17:06]
2. According to Philippians 1:6, what is God’s promise to those He has started a good work in? [06:13]
3. In Joshua 1:9, what are the specific instructions God gives to Joshua, and what reason does He give for these instructions? [15:01]
4. The sermon mentions several heroes of faith (Joseph, Ruth, David, Paul, Caleb). What common trait did they share in their journeys? [12:04]

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think the psalmist uses the image of a journey or pilgrimage to describe the Christian life? How does this shape our understanding of what it means to follow Jesus? [02:26]
2. The Valley of Baca is described as a place of weeping, but also as a place that can become a spring. What does this suggest about the purpose of difficult seasons in our lives? [18:37]
3. The sermon highlights perseverance as a key to spiritual maturity. Why is perseverance so important, and how does it differ from simply enduring hardship? [13:09]
4. Caleb’s story involves waiting decades because of others’ choices. What does his response teach us about handling delays or setbacks that are not our fault? [28:33]

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon says, “Set your heart on the journey, not the starting point.” Is there an area in your life where you feel stuck or tempted to give up? What would it look like to set your heart on moving forward in that area this week? [06:13]
2. When you face discouragement or feel forgotten, what practical steps can you take to “keep showing up” and persevere, as the heroes of faith did? Is there a specific situation where you need to apply this right now? [13:09]
3. Think about a recent “valley of Baca” moment—a season of disappointment or pain. How might God want to use that experience to bring about something good, either in your life or in the lives of others? [18:37]
4. Have you ever been delayed or set back because of someone else’s choices? How did you respond, and what would it look like to focus on your own faithfulness instead of becoming bitter or distracted? [28:33]
5. Caleb passed on “springs” to the next generation. What is one lesson, habit, or spiritual blessing you have gained through hardship that you could intentionally share with someone else? Who might God be calling you to invest in? [32:43]
6. The sermon encourages us to “ask God for the springs He has promised.” What is one specific area where you need God’s refreshment or breakthrough? How can your group pray for you in this? [34:17]
7. The idea of going “from strength to strength” means not settling for where you are. What is one step you can take this month to grow in your faith journey, even if it feels small? [23:30]

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Close in prayer, asking God for strength, courage, and a heart set on pilgrimage for each person in the group.

Devotional

Day 1: Set Your Heart on the Journey
God calls each of us to a journey—a pilgrimage—not to remain stagnant, but to move forward into the fullness of His purposes. No matter where you started or what your past looks like, God has a destination for you, and He desires that you set your heart on advancing, refusing to settle for spiritual delays or dead ends. The journey may not always be easy, but with your heart set on what God has ahead, you can trust that He will lead you step by step into greater things. [02:26]

Psalm 84:5-7 (ESV)
Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. As they go through the Valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools. They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion.

Reflection: Where in your life have you settled for less than God’s best, and what is one step you can take today to set your heart on moving forward in your journey with Him?


Day 2: God Will Complete What He Started
God is faithful to finish the good work He began in you, no matter how long the journey or how many setbacks you’ve faced. Your starting point is not your ending point, and even if you feel like you’ve wasted years or made mistakes, God’s promise is that He will bring you to completion. Don’t let discouragement or delay convince you otherwise—He is still working, and your story is not over. [06:13]

Philippians 1:6 (ESV)
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to renew your confidence that God is still at work, and how can you actively trust Him to bring it to completion?


Day 3: Persevere Through the Valley of Weeping
Every believer will pass through seasons of difficulty, disappointment, or sorrow—the “valley of Baca”—but God’s promise is that you will not remain there. When you choose to persevere and keep moving forward, God transforms your valley of weeping into a place of springs, giving you new strength and even blessings that you can share with others. Your mindset in these moments matters; expect God to bring something good out of every trial as you lean on Him. [18:37]

Hebrews 4:1 (ESV)
Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it.

Reflection: Think of a current or past season of sorrow or difficulty—how might God be inviting you to persevere and look for the “springs” He wants to bring out of it?


Day 4: Be Strong and Courageous—Don’t Lose Heart
God’s presence goes with you wherever your journey leads, but He calls you to be strong, courageous, and not dismayed—even when you feel discouraged or broken down. True courage is not the absence of fear, but the willingness to keep showing up, to encourage yourself in the Lord, and to keep moving forward despite setbacks or the opinions of others. When you refuse to give up, God renews your strength and brings you through. [15:01]

Joshua 1:9 (ESV)
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Reflection: What is one area where fear of failure or discouragement has held you back, and how can you encourage yourself in the Lord to take a step of courage today?


Day 5: Pass On Your Springs—Leave a Legacy
The journey God has for you is not just for your own benefit, but so that you can pass on the blessings, wisdom, and spiritual “springs” you’ve gained to others—especially the next generation. Like Caleb, who after decades of faithfulness was able to give his daughter both land and springs, your perseverance and victories become an inheritance for others. Don’t let your difficult seasons go to waste; ask God to show you how to pour out what you’ve received into the lives of those around you. [32:43]

Galatians 6:9 (ESV)
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Reflection: Who is someone in your life that you can intentionally encourage or bless with what God has taught you through your own journey? What is one way you can do that this week?

Quotes

We all go through seasons of weeping, where things aren't going our way, and people maybe didn't do us right, and there's all sorts of history. But I love what we see here as God's plan. He says that you're going to pass through the valley of Baca. He doesn't say, you're going to go around the valley of Baca. It's like, you're going to go, yay, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, thou art with me. It's like, we're on our way through. We don't stop in the valley of Baca. [00:17:59] (41 seconds)  #PassingThroughValley Edit Clip

If you are in the valley of Baca, the valley of weeping, even now, I've got some advice. Keep going. Keep stepping out of it, because there's a way to get out of the valley of Baca. There's a way to get through the seasons of weeping. [00:18:41] (21 seconds)  #KeepSteppingForward Edit Clip

We can turn even the valley of weeping into a spring when our hearts are set on the journey. It's all about our perspective. It's all about our mindset. You see, the Lord would have us approach our difficult seasons with a mindset that says, I'm getting out of here, and I'm getting something for it. [00:20:15] (24 seconds)  #ValleyToSpring Edit Clip

All of these examples are there to show us a way of turning every difficult place into something that not only will bring us refreshing, but that can bring other people refreshing as well, because when we get through the challenges, we have something that we can share with other people. [00:21:57] (21 seconds)  #RefreshOthersThroughTrials Edit Clip

Wherever you are today, no matter how many years have gone by, no matter if you feel like you've wasted the last 30 years. I'm telling you, today is the day of new beginning. Today is the day that God says we're going in further. We're passing through some things because our starting point is just the beginning. And God wants us to get to the place that he has. [00:24:51] (26 seconds)  #NewBeginningsToday Edit Clip

The difficulties you've been through haven't been wasted. They've given you springs and their upper and lower springs. Those things that touch heaven and those things that minister here on earth. God has a desire for his people to be carriers that we could say, what would you like? What would you like me to pour into you? So wherever our journeys take us, whatever challenges we might experience, let's ask for some springs. Let's not leave our difficult seasons empty handed, not just for us, but for those who are following after us. [00:32:43] (45 seconds)  #SpringsFromStruggles Edit Clip

Let's not ever let go of what God has for us. Let's hold tightly to the promises that God has spoken over every single one of us. In this hour where other people may give up, oh, all sorts of people are giving up. I mean, I'm reading the craziest stuff on social media. It's like, woo, what has happened here? So others might lose heart. They might give up. We'll pray for them. But you see, Caleb determined in his heart, I'm not giving up. I'm as strong now as I was then. Let's not give up. Let not one person in this place give up. Let not one person loosen the grip, but let's hold ever tighter to what the Lord has because God's faithful to finish that which he has begun in each one of us. [00:33:46] (51 seconds)  #HoldTightToPromises Edit Clip

``If Caleb had quit, that would have been the end of his story and all that had happened after wouldn't have happened. And Aksa wouldn't have been able to attain what she did. So let's not ever quit before the due season. Let's not stop. Let's not even come late to what God has. Let's not just stare at the delayed board, but let's say we're out of here. We're flying to our next destination. I'm telling you, breakthrough is on the horizon. Revival is close at hand. Let's go from strength to strength as we set our hearts on pilgrimage. [00:34:37] (45 seconds)  #NeverGiveUp Edit Clip