Celebrating the Journey

INTRO

I’ve enjoyed studying the book of Psalms, possibly more than any of the books we’ve studied so far. I think the reason I’ve personally enjoyed it is because so much of it focuses on Jerusalem—the earthly city of the Lord and the heavenly city of the Lord. Psalm 84 is considered a Psalm of Ascent and seems a little out of character from the other psalms it’s placed with. The other Psalms of Ascent are Psalms 120—134.¹ However, Psalm 84 does not carry the subtitle of ascension that Psalms 120—134 do. MacArthur states this psalm, like the other ascent psalms, “expresses the joy of a pilgrim traveling up to Jerusalem, then up into the temple to celebrate one of the feasts . . . being in the very presence of the Lord God.”²

Male Jews were required to go to the temple during three holy festivals (Exodus 23:17; 34:23), which reminded “them that they were still pilgrims on this earth” who were returning home.³ The connection of Psalm 84 with the other Psalms of Ascent is found in verse 7, “They go from strength to strength; each appears before God in Zion.” Zion is another title for Jerusalem.

Wiersbe explains, “The phrase ‘appears before God in Zion’ suggests that this psalm was penned by a Jewish man who could not go to Jerusalem to celebrate one of the three annual feasts:.”⁴

TEACHING

Psalm 84:1-4: Wiersbe describes these four verses as, “My Delight Is in the Lord.”⁵ The psalmist remembered God’s temple and described it as lovely (Psalm 26:8). This writer was one of the sons of Korah, who were the gatekeepers for the temple. While the Jews understood that God’s presence was only in the temple, God does not reside in a box or a building, and His presence is everywhere (Acts 7:47–50). The psalmist longed for God (v. 2). As we grow in the Lord and experience His presence, the more we will long to go to a different spiritual level with Him. MacArthur points out, “The psalmist admires these birds who were able to build their nests in the temple courtyards, near the altars of God” (v. 3).⁶ How happy are those who praise God continually (v. 4).

Psalm 84:5–8: Wiersbe describes verses 5–8 as, “My Strength is in the Lord.”⁷ The psalmist then began to reflect on the practical issues of going up to Jerusalem. The psalmist pointed out those on the journey drew their strength from God (v. 5). During the journey, even in the valleys or the low points, God would provide spring water and autumn rains for them (v. 6), moving from one of God’s provisions (strength) to another. About verse 7, MacArthur writes, “The anticipation of joyously worshiping God in Jerusalem overcame the pilgrims’ natural weariness in their difficult journey.”⁸ This is a cool picture of finding strength from the Lord during the journey.

Revive School has been a tough journey for us. For two years, we’ve been in this little room, hammering out the Word of God—doing something that is not our norm, communicating and editing it in ways we’ve never done before, and this is just what you see. Outside of what is seen is the prep work. If I do not have strength in Him, this journey could not even have been started, much less continue on as it has. But even though the journey is hard, we know God is refining us for the end. This will be a weird image, but I study a ton on the bathroom floor in my bedroom. I sit on the floor with my back against the wall, my highlighters on the floor next to me, with my iPad and papers all around me, and I study the Word. It’s hard at 4 a.m. or 12:30 a.m. to do that. This is my reality of going through this journey, and I know God is preparing me for Jerusalem whether here in the earthly state of preparing for the coming days or in the heavenly state of Jerusalem. My eyes are always on the pilgrimage of experience more of the Lord. While I was studying, I asked the Lord to show me Psalm 84 in the New Testament. The Lord gave me multiple illustrations and told me to talk about Jesus.

In Luke 9, Jesus knew His time on earth was coming to an end. Verse 51 states the time was coming for Jesus to be taken up to heaven, so Jesus journeyed to Jerusalem. On the journey, Jesus sent messengers ahead to get things ready for Him in Samaria, but they did not welcome Him because He was going to Jerusalem (v. 53). When the Samaritans didn’t welcome

Him, James and John were ready to destroy the village, but Jesus rebuked them and went on to another village (vv. 54–56). Sometimes during the journey, pilgrims are rejected, routes are changed, and the journey isn’t easy.

Psalm 84:9–12: Wiersbe describes verses 9–12 as, “My Trust Is in the Lord.”⁹

CLOSING

On Jesus final journey to Jerusalem, Jesus met blind Bartimaeus whom Jesus healed (Luke 18:35–43). Then Jesus met Zacchaeus the tax collector and saved him, passed Herod’s palace in Jericho, and climbed up a difficult 18 mile ascent in the Judean wilderness to Jerusalem. We always want the journey to be smooth and easy, but Jesus’ journey was neither. Experiencing God’s presence happens in the journey. Jesus’ journey continued by the inn of the Good Samaritan, of which Jesus told the parable of the man who was beaten up by thieves (Luke 10:30). Jesus’ parable told of the Samaritan man who stopped and helped the Jewish man, even putting the man on his own horse, taking him to the inn, and paying for his care. No matter what happens on the journey, God is there to pick us up and provide our care. Our journey with God may be much harder than we anticipate. But, according to Psalm 84:7, we can journey from strength to strength to get through it and flourish. We survive the journey when we depend upon the Holy Spirit.