Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. Psalm 84:5  (NIV)  

Keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. I Corinthians 16:13

A commentary on this verse from Psalm 84 calls it “Happy Pilgrims.” Most of us probably have an image of pilgrims as those people who landed on the east coast of the USA, and wore strange clothing that we see pictures of at Thanksgiving. However, anyone can be a pilgrim – all it really means is that we are on a pilgrimage. Technically this means someone on a journey to go to a religious site. In Psalm 84 the psalmist is longing for the chance to travel to Jerusalem again, something not possible while in exile.  

Pilgrims include people like Abraham, who journeyed to find a land promised by God. We too can be on a pilgrimage, thus be a pilgrim, as we travel through life. In the Psalm the Happy Pilgrims are those with their heart set on the journey, set on actually again getting to be in the place where they can worship God and perform the rites important to them. We don’t usually have a specific location in mind for our journey. After all, we can worship our Lord anywhere, and any time. We don’t see God as most reachable in one special location. Then, what is the journey we are on? One in which, after we have learned of Jesus’ saving actions for us, we search for our destination? Asking people along the way how to get there?  

It isn’t all about the destination. Rather, as Paul writes in I Corinthians, it is all about the journey. I remember hearing a sermon one time that talked about those who focus so much on the destination, that they never think about what is happening on their journey. Salvation is personal, yes, but as Christians we are part of the entire community of the humans God created. We are to keep alert to the world around us and stand firm in our faith. Paul also says to be courageous, to be strong. Colossians 1:10 says “so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.” Our journey is to follow God’s plan for us, to bear fruit in helping others, feeding the hungry, housing the homeless, and sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.    

Dear Lord, you are our strength, our redeemer, and our life. We give you thanks, Lord, for courage and strength beyond our own. Please help us to stay alert and stand firm in our faith. By the power of the Holy Spirit, may we be courageous as we travel our pilgrimage in this life and share your Good News with others. Praising you in the name of Jesus. Amen

Chris Gabel 

Ministries
Teaching Mission Party