Pilgrimage Highways

The three of us were in the car.  We were driving on a rural dirt road headed for the main and paved road.   A few paces back from that road, the car spluttered and died.  Try as she might, the driver could not re-start the car.  The verdict she sheepishly said softly, "We're out of petrol!"

"Never mind," said a voice from the back seat, "We're almost to the intersection and there's a petrol station just 'round the corner.  I'll push the car."

The driver chuckled.  You see, she and the other passenger were in their early 70's and the voice belonged to the 'youngster' of about 60 plus years.

The 'younster' insisted, "Never mind, I'll try ..."

And then the 'youngster' woke up from her dream.  Ah-h-h, saved by the awakening!

But I'm thinking of today's verse-of-the-day by YouVersion phone app.  It reads,

 "Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion" (Psalm 84:5 ESV).

Or, as the NIV puts it, "who have set their hearts on pilgrimage ...."

The strength of the 60 plus year old's muscles and heart, may or may not have been able to push that smallish-sized car around the corner, onto the highway of the petrol station but her determination to try was set.  She would have used her own strength and willingness even if not the actual capability and capacity of heart strength to do so.  Maybe there would have been some chivalrous man come to the ladies' aid, which would have been a godsend.

So too, along our spiritual Christian journey, we need to put our strength in the Lord, and in the power of His might (see Ephesians 6:10).  We need to set our hearts to it.  More so, our hearts should actually be the highway on this earthly pilgrimage.  Do we crave the presence of the Lord?

The reference to "the highways to Zion" denotes symbolically, Jerusalem, where the temple with God's presence resided.  The people of Israel faced and focused and abided on a commitment to God.

At least, the singer/songwriter of the sons of Korah, did.  Their songs were to be sung by these people, turning their hearts to the highways to Zion and dependance on their Heavenly Father.  It was in Him they'd get their strength and have their strength renewed (see Isaiah 40:31).

May each of us children of God focus on Him spending time in His presence and thereby gain our strength and refreshing and renewal of spirit from Him.

Please, Jesus, I ask in Your name.  Amen.

                                                      ~ ERC  August 2025 ~

Based on Psalm 84:5 ESV.

Sing, My Life is in You Lord, My Strength is in You, Lord along with Divine Hymns.

P.S. The photo of the car was not what the one in the dream looked like but I do like the look of this one.