A Life in Exile

My Instagram feed has been full of posts marking Jerusalem Day in Israel, and though this post comes well after that day, I was drawn to a note I’d made in my writing notebook based on the 84^th Psalm. The title given in the Christian Standard Bible to this psalm is “Longing for God’s House,” and the entire psalm is focused on the holy city and temple. Longing is a good word because the psalm expresses a heart’s desire.

I long and yearn.

The first verses of this short psalm set the tone.

How lovely is your dwelling place, LORD of Armies. I long and yearn for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh cry out for the living God. Even a sparrow finds a home, and a swallow, a nest for herself where she places her young—near your altars, LORD of Armies, my King and my God. How happy are those who reside in your house, who praise you continually. Selah (Psalm 84:1-4 CSB)

When I read these words, I cannot help but think about how we often long for a return to our childhood homes. I know that my days on East Main were the most special and precious. My parents, my grandmother, and four siblings all lived in this huge old house, complete with a front porch and swing. We lived within walking distance of our church, where I also remember being nurtured and loved. I would roam the halls of that old building and knew nothing but safety. Happy days—good memories.

But for some of you reading this, you can’t say the same—either of your homeplace or home church. There may be hurts, abuse, neglect, and fear. You have no desire to go back literally or in your mind. That’s why we long for the place where God alone reigns.

A heart set on pilgrimage.

This land is not our own. Jesus told us that we would have tribulation in this world, and yet, we were to “be of good cheer” (John 16:33). Why? Because he has overcome the world. Even the psalmist knew that the journey to the Holy City would be filled with difficulties and trials.

Happy are the people whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a source of spring water; even the autumn rain will cover it with blessings. They go from strength to strength; each appears before God in Zion. LORD God of Armies, hear my prayer; listen, God of Jacob. Selah Consider our shield, God; look on the face of your anointed one. (Psalm 84:5-9)

The Valley of Tears is a difficult but necessary place through which we must travel to reach the City of God. We know through Scripture that God uses trials to strengthen our faith, mature us, and make us more like Christ, the Suffering Servant. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, these trials move us from strength to strength and increase our anticipation of the day of his return and reign. Without trials, there is no longing, no desire for a better place.

Abraham was willing to move to a land he did not know and live in tents, “for he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God” (Hebrews 11:10).

It is said that those who died in faith died looking forward to what was to come.

If they were thinking about where they came from, they would have had an opportunity to return. But they now desire a better place—a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. (Hebrews 11:15-16)

Moses endured rejection from the house of Pharaoh because of that future dwelling. “For he considered reproach for the sake of Christ to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, since he was looking ahead to the reward” (Hebrews 11:26).

Oh, happy day!

Two weeks before my paternal grandmother died, my dad heard her singing, “Oh, Happy Day.” That was the first time he’d heard his mother sing, as an insult from an aunt closed the door on her ever opening her voice in song. Still, knowing what was to come, she could not keep silent, even after 92 years. Neither could the writer of the Psalm 84.

Better a day in your courts than a thousand anywhere else. I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God than live in the tents of wicked people. For the Lord God is a sun and shield. The Lord grants favor and honor; he does not withhold the good from those who live with integrity. Happy is the person who trusts in you, Lord of Armies! (Psalm 84:10-12)

Is your heart set on pilgrimage? Do you look forward to the day when Jerusalem is fully under the rule of the LORD of Armies? Are you journeying toward that golden shore?

The day is coming when this broken, sinful, earthly Jerusalem will be restored and renewed by a heavenly version that is soon to come down. On that day, God will be on his throne, Christ will be King, and all nations will bow down in worship. Are you ready for that day? What are you longing for?

Lift up your eyes. He is coming soon! Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus.

Grace and Peace

If you missed the last Wednesday Wisdom, click HERE, or check out these other posts about his return: Learning from the Past: Thirty-Five, The Nations, Learning from the Past: Forty-Eight, Rejoicing and Mourning, and Relief.