God in Zion (Psalm 84 series)
Well, here we are, wrapping up the Psalm 84 series, as the pilgrims in this passage finally reach God’s presence. Their goal from the beginning of this series, from Psalm 84:5, was to reach Mount Zion (literally) and be in God’s Presence (figuratively).
I began this series talking about exhaustion and the side effect of such weariness: wanting to get to the Presence of God when we feel so far away.
When getting there takes effort.
When the journey takes us through the desert places.
When the pace is all uphill.
Anyone who has ever been that exhausted spiritually and emotionally understands that it takes effort to push through the weariness and get to where we want to be. Fortunately, we don’t have to do that alone. From the beginning of the series, God’s Word promises us that “blessed in the one whose strength is the Lord.” We have His strength to power us through toward His Presence. And as the pilgrims would climb Mount Zion, receiving “strength upon strength” on their journey, we also are revived as we make our way toward the Lord, once again.
In verse 7, the pilgrimage concludes: “each one appears before God in Zion.” Ah, yes! The sweet presence of the Lord, where everything was restored and renewed and their spirit was revived. That’s the goal. The end of the march-- the perfection of it all---was reaching the Temple. And God promises that those faithful seekers of His presence will have that reward, “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13).
The sincere desire of the pilgrim isn’t the journey; it’s the end. It’s HIM.
Unless we end up in with HIM, the process, even with a whole band of pilgrims together, is just a long trek.
Now, obviously, this passage is about pilgrims who were attempting to climb a literal mountain to get to the literal Temple. But how does that work today? When we feel exhausted and overwhelmed, how do we find the soul-rest that we’re searching for?
The New Testament makes it clear that we have full access to the presence of God, because it is no longer contained in the Temple. Through Christ, the “restricted access” of the Temple was removed, and if we have been reconciled to God (through our repentance and giving our lives to Christ) then we can draw near to the Lord through prayer. That rest you’re looking for? It’s in CHRIST. He essentially threw the doors open to the presence of God, so that all could enter in. “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16).