Blessed are those whose strength is in You, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage’ (Psalm 84:5)

What a blessing it is to be on pilgrimage!

A few weeks ago I stood in Capernaum, where so much of Jesus’ ministry happened, staring out across the sea of Galilee.  For me it was an overwhelming experience.  ‘I can’t believe I am here,’ I kept thinking, here in this place I have read and heard about all my life, here in this place where my Saviour stood.

And that was only the start of our journey.  As the days went on, and we travelled to the old city of Jerusalem, the feeling of blessing grew and grew.

Along the way we passed through some dry and arid places.  At other times we passed through the rugged, barren hills which formed a backdrop to Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan.  You could just imagine bandits lurking in the hills, waiting to prey on vulnerable travellers.

At a place called Wadi Celt we looked down across a desolate landscape and remembered Psalm 23:4 ‘Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and staff they comfort me.’

But our ultimate destiny was never in doubt.  Jerusalem, the Holy City.  King David’s capital, and the place where my Saviour bore the weight of a cross through the narrow streets, on his way to die for all our sins.  The place where a few days later he rose to glorious life and changed the world forever.

There is a wonderful fellowship in pilgrimage.  I wish you could have heard us singing Amazing Grace together in the old crusader church next to the pool of Bethesda.  Our hearts were as one, united together, as our voices soared heavenwards in joyful praise.  Or again, as we sat in the quiet of the Garden Tomb area and shared communion together.  The Lord was blessing my heart and strengthening my faith in a very special way.

‘Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.  As they pass through the valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs…. They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion’ (v5-7)

Here the psalmist takes us on a journey with the pilgrims travelling towards Jerusalem.  Along the way they pass through some dry places, (or maybe places of weeping), but their shared faith makes them a place of springs, and the early rains send additional pools of blessing.

Their way would have been hard, (they were not travelling by luxury coach, as we were), but their faith strengthens them as they draw nearer to their heart’s desire.

Of course as Christians we don’t need to go to the Holy land to draw near to God.  But we are all on a pilgrimage through this life, as John Bunyan so brilliantly depicted.

When we pass through difficult patches and times of sorrow, let’s allow our faith to turn them into springs and pools of blessing, as we look to God and recognise that He has His purposes in all that we face.  Let’s support one another in the journey.  And when the road gets tough, let’s draw our strength from Him.  Indeed, as we draw nearer to our destination, let’s renew our faith, and press on, going ‘from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.’

When we see Him face to face, at the end of our journey, that will be our ultimate joy!