Finding Home in God’s Presence
Psalm 84 is a beautiful meditation on the longing for God’s presence, the happiness of those who trust in Him, and the divine protection given to those who seek Him. Life is a journey, one that ends and begins in finding God.
- How dear to me is your dwelling, O Lord of hosts!
My soul longs for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh rejoice in the living God. - Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow builds a nest near Your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.
- Happy are those who dwell in Your house, always singing Your praise.
- Happy are those whose strength is in You, whose hearts are set on the pilgrim’s way.
The recurring themes here are clear:
- Living in God’s presence as the ultimate joy.
- Happiness and strength for those who trust in God.
- God’s provision and protection along life’s journey.
The Pilgrim’s Way—A Journey of the Heart
The phrase pilgrim’s way caught my attention. What does that really mean?
When I hear pilgrim, I instinctively think of Thanksgiving—the buckle-hatted Puritans from my childhood history lessons. But pilgrimage paints a much richer picture. It’s a journey, one not necessarily to an extravagant place, but to a location imbued with deep significance. Think about Elvis fans traveling to his humble birthplace in Tupelo, Mississippi. That small, run-down shack holds no particular grandeur—except for those who revere it. Their love for the King transforms an ordinary house into sacred ground. If life is a journey, it is often the ordinary everyday things that we find deep meaning in.
The idea of a pilgrim’s way suggests a journey of devotion, an internal path as much as a physical one. Consider the variations in translation:
- “Happy are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on the pilgrims’ way.” (RSV)
- “Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion.” (ESV)
- “Blessed is the person whose strength is in You, in whose heart are the roads to Zion.” (NASB)
- “Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.” (NIV)
Some translators avoid pilgrim’s way, but all agree: this is a journey of the heart. Zion is both a physical place and a spiritual ideal—a holy destination that offers its holiness to those who seek it.
Trusting the Guide on This Journey
The first part of this verse speaks to trust. Our way will always fall short, yet we insist on relying on our own strength. Trusting in God means surrendering that illusion of control. So what does this have to do with a pilgrimage?
Life itself is a journey. And when it comes to choosing between my plan and my Guide’s plan, I must trust my Guide. The road ahead is full of dangers, and I am no match for them alone. I’m not meant to settle—I’m meant to keep moving toward Zion. Even when I think I know best, I must trust the One who truly does.
As Evelyn Underhill writes:
“Three deep cravings of the self, three great expressions of man’s restlessness, which only mystic truth can fully satisfy. The first is the craving which makes him a pilgrim and a wanderer. It is the longing to go out from his normal world in search of a lost home, a ‘better country’; an Eldorado, a Sarras, a Heavenly Syon. The next is the craving of heart for heart, of the Soul for its perfect mate, which makes him a lover. The third is the craving for inward purity and perfection, which makes him an ascetic, and in the last resort a saint.”
Resisting the Temptation to Settle
The psalm ends with a refrain:
O Lord of hosts, happy are they who put their trust in you!
Seeing life as a journey takes determination. The world constantly tempts me to stop traveling and settle. It whispers:
- Make this your home.
- Buy this, and you’ll be happy.
- Take this job. Make money. Build a life here—this life is all you get.
And I admit—it’s seductive. The people buying into it seem happy. There’s nothing inherently wrong with enjoying life. But scripture offers a counter-narrative: true joy comes from traveling light and trusting God to provide.
Lessons from Honduras: The Joy of Trusting in God
One of the most striking examples of this trust came to me in Honduras. While delivering food to remote villages, we would spend hours preparing simple bags of rice, flour, and beans—just enough for a month. Then we’d travel to tiny homes and knock on doors. The response? Unrestrained joy. Toothless smiles. Tears. Many told us they had prayed that very morning for God’s provision.
Their happiness was electric—it radiated from them and touched me deeply. They put their trust in God. He provided. And they rejoiced.
But here’s the sobering contrast: when I return home, I have everything I need. If someone knocked on my door with a box of food, my reaction wouldn’t be anything close to theirs. Honestly? I’d probably feel a little awkward—maybe even insulted. Why? Because I don’t feel desperate.
When we’re not desperate, we become blind. We don’t see God when we don’t feel our need for Him. I wonder—how many times has God shown up in my life, providing exactly what I needed at the perfect moment, but I failed to notice? Have I treated His messengers with polite indifference and then discarded His gifts?
Walking the Narrow Road
Traveling as a pilgrim—trusting God to guide and provide—requires intention. I don’t want to do it alone, but the road is narrow, and few find it. That loneliness can make me question whether I’m on the right path.
If I spend too much time watching those on the broad road, I risk missing the signposts God has placed for me. The journey isn’t always easy. But it is blessed. And the promise remains:
Happy are they who put their trust in You.
As you reflect on Psalm 84, ask yourself: Where is my heart set? Am I trying to build a permanent home in a temporary place? Or am I walking the pilgrim’s way, trusting God to lead me toward Zion?