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

The NIV does a disservice by translating this as “hearts set on pilgrimage.” The Japanese sticks much closer to the Hebrew by saying, “in whose hearts is the highway to Zion.” What is it to have in your heart a “highway to Zion?” Zion appears many time in the Psalms, sometimes representing the entire city of Jerusalem and sometimes more specifically the hill within it where David pitched a tent for the Ark of the Covenant. The point is that Zion is “the city of our God, the mountain of His holiness.” (Psalm 48:1) Going to the physical Zion is indeed a pilgrimage, but the reason for that is to draw close to God. Our bodies could go through all the motions, but if our hearts aren’t in it, we haven’t drawn close to God. Jesus had a discussion on this very point with the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s Well in John 4. She was concerned about physical locations for worship, and Jesus told her that it is heart attitude that matters. (John 4:21-24) If our hearts are set on drawing close to God, then even when we “walk through the valley of the shadow of death” (Psalm 23:4) we will have peace and even joy. This Psalmist speaks of going through “the valley of weeping” in the very next verse, and says that if our hearts are set on drawing close to God then even such a valley becomes a place of blessing. (Psalm 84:6-7)

This has been my experience, and it is something I try to communicate to others. When they are consumed with their “valley of weeping” they are unable to see the blessings, but if they will set their hearts on drawing close to God, then their perspective on everything changes. It’s not that their circumstances change necessarily, but that their perception of those circumstances changes because they see God behind, above, and through it all. As I said, I try to communicate that. However, my wisdom and persuasive skills aren’t up to the task at all. I can say the words, but I’ve got to rely on the Holy Spirit to make them penetrate to where they are needed. I’ve got to be careful I’m not just mouthing platitudes; Job experienced more than enough of that from his friends! I am to speak God’s Word in His strength so that it may work His will in the hearts of those who hear.

Father, you know who is on my heart as I write. Thank You for the evidence that they are starting to open up a little bit. May they choose to trust You more and more, genuinely fixing their eyes on You more than on their circumstances, so that they may receive the liberty that You offer, walking free of all the things that have bound them, for their blessing and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!