Hans Sangtoki Bible Reading: Psalm 84:5-12
“Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose hearts are the highways to Zion” (Psalm 84:5)
Walking through the valleys and shadows of this life is always difficult. There are ups and downs, and at times, we just seem completely lost. Darkness clouds our minds, and there are too many questions with no answers. Yet, firstly, let us consider where we are going.
As Christians, we walk on a journey to Zion. Where is Zion? In the Old Testament, Zion was where God’s Temple was in Jerusalem. Lots of Israelites would make a pilgrimage there to celebrate Passover. In the New Testament times, Zion is our resting place where we will be able to worship God forever. And so, the destination and end goal of our life journey is our home in heaven where we can live in God’s presence and continually worship Him.
If our end goal is to worship and enjoy God forever, how are we living today? Are we preparing ourselves for that day? Are we walking in learning to worship and enjoy God today? Sometimes we need to look up to the big picture of life so that we can reorient ourselves in the right way.
How are we meant to learn to worship God? The psalmist tells us that we need to put our trust in God’s strength. Putting our trust in God’s strength means that we put down our desires to be strong on our own. It means we let God take control of our lives, and we obey Him. God calls us to rely on Him and not on ourselves.
Only when we decide to live this life in God’s strength will we ever be secure in our pilgrim journey. We don’t know what will happen to us in the future. Tomorrow is uncertain, and life itself is full of worries. Will we have something to eat? Will we have a job and friends? Everything seems unstable and fragile, ready to collapse at any moment.
Yet, for those who know that they are headed to eternal worship and enjoyment of God and know that by God’s strength, He is leading them through the darkness to that place, there is peace and no fear. If our end goal is to enjoy and worship God, then as we learn to trust God alone and see Him miraculously lead us through the valleys of life, God is shaping and preparing us to praise His glorious grace.
For those who trust in God’s strength, they can be blessed and confident in uncertainty. The valley of Baca will become a place of springs. This is what differentiates us from the world. At most, the world will say they have reconciled with uncertainty. However, they can never say they are blessed in uncertainty.
For us, we can have certainty in uncertainty because our God is certain. He does not change, and He promises to be with His children always. Though we may feel distant and in the dark at times, take heart because if we rely on God’s strength, God is already working in us wonders of His wisdom and grace that will allow us to worship and praise Him even more.
Who can understand the ways of the LORD? Truly He deserves our utmost praise!
Lord, thank You that even in uncertainty, You are our strength. Thank You that You are for us, and You never leave us. Thank You that our future is in Your hands and that we know the end destination You are leading us to; that is to Zion to be with You forever. Who is like You, who is always faithful to His children? Praise be to You in the highest! In Jesus’ name, amen.
Hans Sangtoki (18) is the coordinator of RE Generation Z. He has a passion for serving his generation and sharing hope in Christ. He also has an interest in classical music and dreams of conducting an orchestra one day.