Zion vs. The Valley of Baca

I have a question taped to a desk in my classroom: “Is Zion worth the Valley of Baca?”

It’s a reminder to me of what my ultimate goal is in life, and what lies between now and the finish line. It also speaks to much of what has already happened, and it offers meaning to what takes place in the Valley.

Our church has a pastoral intern this summer, and one of his sermons centered on this topic. He used Scripture to explain Scripture, specifically demonstrating that the Valley of Baca in Isaiah is the Valley of the shadow of death in Psalm 23. Both describe places of trial, weakness, suffering, and hardship; places that God’s people should expect to be, if we are following in Christ’s footsteps. But Zion is God’s dwellingplace, and when we are in Christ, we are God’s dwelling. Zion is the glory of God poured out on his people. If he is dwelling with us, even in the Valley, we have the promises and love of God with us.

So, is Zion worth the Valley?