Strength to Strength

I wondered this morning as I read Psalm 84, if one could follow the "highway of my heart" and be led to God.  Are my highways indicative of my faith?

"How blessed is the man whose strength is in You, In whose heart are the highways to Zion!
Passing through the valley of Baca they make it a spring;
The early rain also covers it with blessings. They go from strength to strength,
Every one of them appears before God in Zion."

That phrase, "strength to strength" caught my eye.  Note that it does not state weakness to strength.  And water shows up here as a metaphor.  Water was so essential for life in the day this was written, just as it is now.  We just take it for granted, such that we probably don't take regular time to express praise toward God because of just having water. 

What we see here is someone who relies on God for strength, and who has a heart for the Lord, choosing to take a spiritual path (highway) that follow God.  Along the way then, those highways, making life easier by making for easier travel, become life-giving springs of water.  Those highways are also covered by early rain, enticing the reader to think of bountiful growing and refreshment.  Such is the life of the God-follower. 

In the process, this follower's faith becomes fruitful and productive. 

It takes some strength to maintain one's faith.  It also takes strength to act on that faith.  Thus, "strength to strength."  Strong to stronger.  Let's pray today for continued growth, and added strength based in the Lord.