“He weakened my strength in the way.” – Psalm   Life’s Waves and God’s Sovereignty Referencing Psalm 42:7, “Deep calls unto deep,” he explains that it portrays wave after wave of life’s challenges, not mystical depths. Sometimes, trouble comes in relentless succession — one wave after another — yet God uses even pain, sickness, and discomfort to shape us. We often blame the devil, but sometimes it’s the Lord doing deep work in us. He reminds the congregation that when we gave our lives to Christ, we surrendered the right to run our own lives. “We said, ‘You get to call the shots.’ ”   Psalm 84 – Dwelling in God’s Presence The message centers on Psalm 84, portraying the believer’s longing for God’s house and presence amid a fallen world. “How lovely is Your tabernacle, O Lord of hosts.” Believers must live in the world but not of it, finding their refuge not in wealth, approval, or comfort — but in God’s presence. Even the sparrow finds a home near His altar — showing that everyone, humble or lowly, is welcome in His presence. The pastor urges believers to maintain a “secret place” — a daily sanctuary of prayer and fellowship with God. We need His manifest presence, not just His omnipresence.   Strength in the Pilgrimage Psalm 84:5 – “Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, whose heart is set on pilgrimage.” True strength comes from the Lord, not self. The Christian life is a pilgrimage, requiring perseverance and endurance — “a journey, not a sprint.” Like Noah, Abraham, and Jesus, we must walk faithfully even when the outcome seems far away. “Decide yesterday that you’re not going to quit today.”   The Valley of Baka – Digging Wells Psalm 84:6 describes the Valley of Baka, a place of weeping, decay, and death. Spiritually, it represents the world’s brokenness. Believers are called to dig wells — to bring life, truth, and hope where there is despair. Each Christian has a circle of influence (family, workplace, community) where God expects them to “dig wells” for others. He contrasts Absalom, who built a monument to himself, with Jacob, who dug a well. “The statue is gone; the well still flows.” The challenge: be an effective well-digger whose influence blesses others long after you’re gone.   From Strength to Strength Psalm 84:7 – “They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion.” This phrase means believers become an army within themselves because God dwells in them. Strength increases through intimacy with God, not worldly alliance. Avoid letting worldly media and negativity shape your mind — renew your thoughts in God’s Word. Illustrations include: A soldier in WWII saved by a spider’s web God used for protection. A survivor of the Titanic quoting Psalm 91 as God delivered him.These show that God’s care extends to the smallest details for those who trust Him.   Staying Coupled with the Lord Psalm 84:11 – “No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.”The pastor explains that “uprightly” in Hebrew (tāmîm) means “to stay coupled” — like train cars joined together. We don’t have to be perfect; we just have to stay connected to God. Whether rusty or shiny, the only train cars that move are the ones still coupled. “If you’ll stay coupled with Me, I won’t withhold any good thing from you.”   The Final Call – Dig Wells, Stay Coupled, Trust God Believers are called to: Remain coupled to God through every trial. Commit to the pilgrimage — no turning back. Dig wells in dry, dying places. Trust God through both good and hard seasons. “Once you dig a well in Christ, it will always have water in it.” The sermon closes with an altar call to: Renew one’s commitment to Christ’s work, Receive strength to influence others, and Begin or restore a relationship with Jesus. Key Theme: God is calling His people to intimacy, endurance, and influence — to stay coupled, keep digging wells, and bring living water into a dying world.