Psalm 84

Journeying with God

Our Hearts Set on Pilgrimage

Psalm 84 has become a sacred summer rhythm for us—a psalm we return to each year, a psalm that seems to echo the heartbeat of our journey with God. One verse, in particular, stands out as the anchor:

“Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.” (Psalm 84:5)

This verse doesn’t just describe the spiritual life; it defines it. We are on a pilgrimage—not a sprint, not a checklist, but a lifelong journey. And in this pilgrimage, the psalmist reminds us that blessing comes not from comfort or ease, but from depending on God for strength as we move closer to His heart.

There’s beauty in that, but also tension. Because let’s be honest—this journey is not always easy. We wrestle, we get weary, and we often wish we could map it all out in steps and stages. Wouldn’t it be easier if becoming Christlike was a simple A-B-C progression? But the invitation of the psalm is not to efficiency—it’s to intimacy. A journey with God, not just to God.

The Blessing of Dependence

Psalm 84:5 doesn’t just describe movement; it describes blessedness. But why? Why are we blessed when our strength is in God?

We’re blessed because our strength doesn’t come from us. It comes from the One who is faithful, present, constant, and just. Our strength is rooted in the character of a God who only gives what is right and true. And this becomes real in the everyday moments—when we’re parenting, in meetings, stuck in traffic, or just trying to navigate life’s messiness.

We started asking ourselves, what does it practically look like to make the Lord our strength? And the answer came down to intentional availability. God is always near—but we’re not always aware. So the invitation is to stay aware, to pause, to pray, and to ask: Holy Spirit, what are you doing here? How can I respond to this moment not out of my flesh, but in step with You?

When We Forget to Ask for Help

One story helped drive this home. A son, exhausted from trying to fix his car all day, finally collapses, frustrated that it still won’t start. His father walks in and says something that hits deep: “You haven’t done everything—you didn’t ask me for help.”

How often is that us? We strive, we push, we check every box—only to burn out. And all the while, God waits to be invited in. Psalm 84 reminds us to stop striving in our own strength and to remember we have a Father who delights in helping us.

No Good Thing Withheld

The psalm ends with another powerful promise:

“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.” (Psalm 84:11)

This verse reassures us that even in the tension—between what we want and what God gives—we can trust His heart. Like a loving parent who says no to fireworks in a toddler’s hand, God withholds not to harm us, but to protect us. What feels like a “no” might just be grace in disguise. He is committed to our eternal good, not just our immediate gratification.

So we walk on. Sometimes it's frustrating. Sometimes it's full of joy. But always, God is with us.

Let’s keep journeying—one step at a time, our hearts set on pilgrimage, our strength in Him.