Psalm 84:5 says, "Blessed are those whose strength is in You," as we saw yesterday. The second half of the verse says, "whose hearts are set on pilgrimage." Blessed are those who desire to make a pilgrimage to the temple of the Lord.
This was a common thing in those days, as the people of God made a pilgrimage to the temple to really enjoy meeting God there. As we learned earlier this week, we don't need to go to any specific place anymore to encounter God, but this is still an intriguing concept.
A Life of Pilgrimage with God
Blessed are those who are journeying with God. Do you remember that popular Christian song:
"We are pilgrims on a journey, we are travellers on the road. We are here to help each other walk the mile and bear the load."
If you've given your life to Jesus, then you're on a pilgrimage - a pilgrimage to Heaven. You are walking on this earth with all the passion you have, looking forward to the day when you meet God face to face in eternity. That is the pilgrimage we Christians are on - not to the temple, but looking forward to the great day when we meet God.
Through the Valley of Weeping
Psalm 84:6 says this about those who are on a pilgrimage: "As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools." That valley, translated, is the valley of weeping.
There is something beautiful about the sentiment that those who are pilgrims for God - who are on a journey with Him - can go through valleys of weeping, of darkness, of sadness, and those places become springs and pools of living water. When you're a pilgrim with God, even the darkest valleys can become valleys that refresh you, that give you new inspiration and new strength.
God With You in the Valley
God is always there in the valley to fill you, to help you, to strengthen you. I wonder how many of you are in a valley of weeping at the moment?
Hold on to God. Keep walking with Him, and drink deeply from His pools of living water, even though you may be weeping. God, the Holy Spirit, is with you to help you, to comfort you, to give you strength. Walk on in strength, fellow pilgrim, knowing that you've got a great God who loves you and is with you on the journey.
Paul warns Timothy about teachers who love quarrels about words, and the warning matters even more in the age of social media. Before you share, forward or follow anything this week, ask whether it points you to Jesus or simply stirs up strife.