Journey of Faith: From Valleys to Victories

Summary

Psalm 84 paints a vivid picture of the Christian life as a journey—a pilgrimage with a destination, not a static experience. God calls each of us to move forward, to refuse to settle for where we started, and to set our hearts on the path He has for us. The journey is not always easy; there are valleys of weeping, seasons of delay, and moments when it feels like we’re stuck on the tarmac, waiting for takeoff. Yet, God’s promise is that He will complete the good work He began in us, and that our story is meant to be one of progress, not stagnation.

The first key is to have our hearts set on the journey. This means cultivating a deep desire to grow, to move forward, and to refuse to let past mistakes, delays, or the actions of others derail us. The heroes of faith—Joseph, Ruth, David, and especially Caleb—demonstrate perseverance in the face of adversity. They didn’t allow discouragement or setbacks to define them. Instead, they pressed on, trusting that God’s purposes would prevail.

The second key is learning to pass through the valley of Baca—the valley of weeping—and turn it into a spring. Every believer will face seasons of sorrow or difficulty, but these are not places to camp or give up. God’s plan is that as we pass through, we gain something valuable—springs of refreshment and breakthrough that not only bless us but can be shared with others. Our mindset in these moments is crucial; we must expect that God will bring good out of every trial.

The third key is to go from strength to strength. God’s vision for us is not to remain in the same place, but to experience increasing maturity, resilience, and spiritual might. Like the days of creation, each season of our lives is meant to build upon the last, leading to greater fruitfulness and complexity. Caleb’s life is a powerful example: even after 45 years of delay, he held tightly to God’s promise, received his inheritance, and passed on springs of blessing to the next generation.

No matter where we are on the journey, it’s never too late for a new beginning. God invites us to set our hearts on pilgrimage, to persevere through every valley, and to hold fast to His promises. As we do, we not only receive strength for ourselves but become sources of blessing for those who follow after us.

Key Takeaways

- Set Your Heart on the Journey, Not the Starting Point
Spiritual progress requires intentionality. It’s easy to settle for where we began or to compare ourselves to others, but God calls us to measure our journey by our own growth. The question is not where you started, but whether you are moving forward into the “more” God has for you. Don’t let past failures or delays define your future—set your heart on pilgrimage and trust that God will complete what He began. [39:11]

- Perseverance Is the Bridge Over Discouragement
Every hero of faith faced setbacks, betrayals, and seasons of feeling forgotten. What set them apart was not perfection, but perseverance—a refusal to let discouragement or the mistakes of others derail their journey. When you feel tired or overlooked, keep showing up, encourage yourself in the Lord, and remember that God’s presence is with you wherever you go. [45:45]

- Transform Valleys of Weeping into Springs of Refreshment
Difficult seasons are inevitable, but they are not destinations. God’s promise is that as we pass through the valley of Baca, we can turn it into a place of springs—gaining spiritual resources and breakthroughs that we could not receive any other way. These springs not only refresh us but become sources of blessing for others, as our testimony and resilience inspire and strengthen those around us. [52:02]

- Progressive Strength Is God’s Vision for Your Life
God’s plan is for us to go from strength to strength, not to remain stagnant or regress. Each season is designed to build upon the last, increasing our capacity, maturity, and spiritual authority. Even if years have been lost or wasted, today can be a new beginning—God’s faithfulness ensures that it’s never too late to move forward and claim the inheritance He has for you. [54:42]

- Your Breakthrough Becomes an Inheritance for Others
The journey is not just about personal victory; it’s about passing on what you’ve gained to the next generation. Like Caleb, who after decades of perseverance was able to give springs of blessing to his daughter, our breakthroughs become a legacy. Don’t let go of God’s promises—hold tightly, for your faithfulness will not only secure your own inheritance but will also empower and refresh those who come after you. [01:06:40]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[35:53] - Introduction to Psalm 84: The Journey
[39:11] - The Call to Spiritual Progress
[41:15] - God’s Promise to Complete the Work
[43:26] - The Danger of Falling Short
[45:45] - Perseverance Through Setbacks
[47:14] - Encouraging Yourself in the Lord
[50:14] - Overcoming Discouragement and Dismay
[52:02] - Passing Through the Valley of Baca
[54:42] - Mindset for Breakthrough
[01:01:27] - Caleb: A Life of Perseverance
[01:06:40] - Springs of Inheritance for the Next Generation
[01:08:12] - Don’t Lose Heart—Hold Fast to God’s Promises
[01:09:30] - Closing Prayer and Impartation

Study Guide

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

---

### 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.

---

### Observation Questions

1. According to Psalm 84:5-7, what is the significance of having your heart “set on pilgrimage” or “set on the journey”?
2. What happens as believers pass through the Valley of Baca, and what does the valley represent?
3. In the sermon, what examples were given of biblical characters who faced setbacks but kept moving forward? ([45:45])
4. What does it mean to “go from strength to strength” as described in Psalm 84:7?

---

### Interpretation Questions

1. Why does the psalmist emphasize the journey rather than the starting point of faith? How does this challenge the way people often view their spiritual lives? ([39:11])
2. The Valley of Baca is described as a place of weeping. What does it mean to “turn it into a spring,” and why is this important for the Christian journey? ([52:02])
3. The sermon highlights perseverance as a key trait of faith heroes like Joseph, Ruth, and Caleb. What role does perseverance play in spiritual growth, especially during seasons of delay or discouragement? ([45:45])
4. The idea of “progressive strength” is central to God’s vision for believers. How does this contrast with the temptation to settle or become stagnant in faith? ([54:42])

---

### Application Questions

1. The sermon says, “Set your heart on the journey, not the starting point.” Is there an area of your life where you’ve been focused on where you began, rather than where God wants to take you? What would it look like to shift your focus? ([39:11])
2. Think about a “Valley of Baca” season you’ve experienced—a time of sorrow, disappointment, or waiting. Did you find any “springs” or blessings in that season? If not, what could you do differently next time to look for God’s refreshment? ([52:02])
3. The sermon mentions that perseverance is the bridge over discouragement. When you feel tired, overlooked, or discouraged, what practical steps can you take to “encourage yourself in the Lord” and keep moving forward? ([47:14])
4. Caleb waited 45 years to receive his promise, but he never let go of God’s word. Is there a promise or dream you’ve let go of because of delays or setbacks? What would it look like to “hold tightly” again? ([01:06:40])
5. The message says our breakthroughs become an inheritance for others. Who in your life could benefit from the lessons or “springs” you’ve gained through your journey? How can you intentionally pass on encouragement or blessing to them? ([01:06:40])
6. The sermon challenges us not to “camp” in the valley or let past failures define our future. Is there a place where you’ve been stuck or tempted to give up? What is one step you can take this week to move forward? ([52:02])
7. “Go from strength to strength.” What is one area where you sense God calling you to grow in maturity or resilience? How can the group support you in taking that next step? ([54:42])

---

Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for fresh strength, courage, and a renewed mindset to keep moving forward on the journey God has for each person. Pray that each one would find springs of refreshment in their valleys and become a source of blessing to others. ([01:09:30])

Devotional

Day 1: Set Your Heart on the Journey
God calls each of us to a journey of faith, not a stagnant existence, and He desires that our hearts be set on moving forward into the fullness of His plans. No matter where you started or what your past looks like, God has more for you—He wants you to keep advancing, to refuse to settle for spiritual tarmacs or delays, and to trust that He will complete the good work He began in you. Even if you feel like you’ve been circling the same mountain or stuck in the same place, today is an invitation to set your heart on pilgrimage, to believe that your destination is greater than your starting point, and to step forward with hope and expectation. [41:15]

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: What is one area of your life where you’ve been “stuck on the tarmac” spiritually? What step can you take today to set your heart on moving forward with God?


Day 2: Persevere Through the Valley of Weeping
Every believer will pass through seasons of difficulty, disappointment, or weeping, but God’s promise is that these valleys are not dead ends—they are places where He can bring forth new springs of life. When you refuse to camp in the valley of Baca and instead keep moving forward, God transforms your pain into refreshment, not just for you but for others as well. The mindset you carry in these moments matters: expect that God will give you something precious through your trials, and let your perseverance become a testimony and a source of blessing for those around you. [52:02]

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 recent “valley of Baca” in your life. What is one way you can ask God to turn that place of weeping into a spring of blessing for yourself or someone else?


Day 3: Encourage Yourself in the Lord and Don’t Give Up
Discouragement and weariness are real, but God calls you to encourage yourself in Him, to refuse to let setbacks, delays, or the opinions of others break you down or cause you to lose heart. Like David, who strengthened himself in the Lord when all seemed lost, you are invited to keep showing up, to keep pressing on, and to trust that God’s presence and strength are with you wherever your journey leads. The enemy wants to sap your courage, but God’s Spirit is ready to renew you with fresh strength and boldness if you will not give up. [50:14]

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: When you feel discouraged or tempted to give up, what is one practical way you can encourage yourself in the Lord this week?


Day 4: Go From Strength to Strength—Embrace Progressive Growth
God’s vision for your life is not stagnation or decline, but continual growth and increasing strength; He wants you to go from strength to strength, maturing and becoming more fruitful as you journey with Him. Just as creation unfolded in ever-increasing complexity and beauty, your spiritual life is meant to develop and expand, not remain at the starting point. No matter how many years have passed or what you feel you’ve lost, today is a new beginning—God invites you to press into the more He has for you, to receive a fresh prophetic vision, and to move forward with renewed purpose. [54:42]

Proverbs 29:18 (ESV)
Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.

Reflection: What is one area where you sense God calling you to grow or step into “more”? How can you pursue that growth intentionally this week?


Day 5: Pass On Your Springs—Leave a Spiritual Inheritance
Your journey is not just about your own breakthrough; God desires that you pass on the springs you’ve gained through your trials to the next generation and to those around you. Like Caleb, who after decades of faithfulness was able to give his daughter both land and springs, you are called to impart what you’ve received—your testimony, your wisdom, your spiritual refreshment—to others. Don’t let your difficult seasons go to waste; let them become a source of blessing and legacy, so that others can drink from the springs God has given you. [01:06:40]

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 encourage or bless with the “springs” God has given you? What is one way you can intentionally pour into them this week?

Quotes

We don't compare ourselves to others. We compare ourselves to ourself. It's like, am I in a further place than I was last year? If not, let's go, God. Let's go. Let's find something that he would have, and so the first step in these three verses is that he says, okay, here's what you need to do because he's going to give us three keys in these verses, and the first one is to have our heart set on the journey. [00:40:02] (31 seconds)  #ProgressOverComparison Edit Clip

Wherever you are in your Christian walk, I want you to know that God has more. He wants you to take further steps even in this hour because there's a completion that God wants us to be confident in that he has for everyone, and it's intended to be greater than where we started from. We're meant to increase and not diminish. [00:41:31] (27 seconds)  #IncreaseNotDiminish Edit Clip

You need to fear that you don't take hold of what all that God has for you in this season. And so it then says, you know, that we would even seem to come short of it. That phrase, come short of it, means to even be tardy to it. So, you know, like, let's not waste any time. Like, we don't need to spend 20 more years figuring things out. I'm telling you, the Holy Spirit is here today to break things through. He's here to cause there to be great advancement in your life that we would go and take hold no matter what comes our way. [00:44:05] (44 seconds)  #SeizeGodsTiming Edit Clip

If we take hold of a heart being set on the journey. And we say, I'm going to persevere no matter what comes in my direction. And we're going to find just like they did that we're going to get through and we're going to have the Lord complete what he desires in our lives. [00:47:13] (19 seconds)  #CompleteHisPurpose Edit Clip

The key when your heart is set on the journey is to say, you know what, I'm going to keep showing up. I don't feel like it. I don't necessarily want to be there, but I'm going to show up. I'm just going to sit there and you'll find that the Holy Spirit comes and all of a sudden your hands are lifted up and God begins to change things. And there's breakthroughs and you go, I'm so glad I didn't give up. We need to have just a heart set that we're not going to give up. We're not going to turn back. We're going to say we're in this. [00:47:53] (41 seconds)  #ShowUpForBreakthrough Edit Clip

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, or when you 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. 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. [00:52:02] (56 seconds)  #PassThroughTheValley 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. He wants us to push forward into the more that he has for us. [00:58:54] (31 seconds)  #NewBeginningsToday Edit Clip

If we don't know where we're going and we don't have an idea of what we want to see God do in our lives, we're just kind of going to be wandering around. But we need to take hold of what his promises for us are. [00:59:49] (16 seconds)  #HoldGodsPromises 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? [01:06:46] (26 seconds)  #CarryHeavenOnEarth Edit Clip

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. [01:08:17] (23 seconds)  #HoldTightToFaith Edit Clip