Reading 13—A Daily Pilgrimage
Psalm 84

READ PSALM 84

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

Have you ever been on a pilgrimage?

I’ve never traveled to visit a temple, but I have been in places where the ground felt holy. A few places that come to mind: walking through a forest and noticing rays of sunlight slanting through a canopy of autumn leaves, sharing struggles and joys with a friend in a coffee shop, and waiting at a bedside late into the night. In each of these places the boundary around my ordinary surroundings blurred just enough that I was able to glimpse something more, something bigger than the reality my senses could detect.

The journey that leads to these “holy ground” moments may feel like a walk in the wilderness. It can be uncomfortable or even scary, and I tend to respond with worry and checklists as I make my plans and struggle to get myself back into familiar territory.

I’ve never traveled to visit a holy site, but I have access to the dwelling place of God every day. The Bible tells me that my very body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, and that the Spirit lives in me. (1 Cor. 6:19) The pilgrimage that God invites me to take is not a journey of miles, but a movement of heart and mind. When I lift my eyes from my own plans and schemes, when I turn to the Lord and put my trust in him, when I lift my voice in prayer and praise God is faithful and gives me the strength to move forward in peace.

The writer of Psalm 84 reminds us that to be with God is to be in a place of safety and blessing, and those who go on a pilgrimage are blessed as they go. God strengthens the pilgrim, providing everything she needs, and more. God provides so much in fact, that the pilgrim’s life overflows with good and holy gifts, nourishing the dry ground of her journey with life-giving water.

When we put our trust in the Lord, we can be sure that God will strengthen us for our journey, providing exactly what is needed, at exactly the right moment—every mile, every minute, every moment of our lives.

To Consider

Can you think of a time when you felt you were standing on holy ground? What was it about that time that made it feel set apart from the ordinary?

If there is a wilderness place in your life now—maybe a decision, an unwelcome situation, or a difficult relationship—can you bring your struggle before God and ask for the faith to trust that he will provide everything you need?

Holy Lord, open our hearts and minds to the leading of your Spirit in our lives. Strengthen us for our journey and let us put our trust in you. Amen.

Carolyn Anderson is married and the mother of two young adults. She is a preschool teacher and a member of Nativity, Arden. In her free time, Carolyn enjoys long walks and good books.