Psalm 84 // Desiring God’s presence // Becca Mueller
Psalm 84 is considered a pilgrimage psalm—it’s about a journey. The author expresses the tension of recognizing, “I’m not in God’s presence yet, but I want to be.” There is deep desire and genuine longing to be with God, expressed from the human heart and echoed in creation. We see a description of the journey toward the temple where God dwells, and it parallels our own journey through life.
The Levitical clans traveled from their hometowns at appointed times to serve in the temple in Jerusalem. We catch a glimpse of what this journey may have looked like in verses 5–7, with references to highways, valleys, springs, and strength sustained by God. The journey ended at Zion, where God’s presence uniquely dwelled. The author longs to be there—even if only for a single day.
Pause and imagine what that would feel like: being in God’s dwelling place, then having to return home without that same sense of nearness. Picture the joy and anticipation as you draw closer and closer to intimacy with God, followed by the ache as your steps carry you farther away. The journey to the temple was likely much easier than the journey home.
Praise God that we now have never-ending, intimate access to Him. Through Jesus, we no longer come to a building—we come to a Person. Jesus Himself is the temple. In John 2, He speaks of the temple being raised in three days, referring to His body. And through the power of the Holy Spirit, we too are now God’s dwelling place. What a miracle that God chooses to be present with us in this way.
As wonderful as this truth is, we would be deceiving ourselves if we said that carrying God’s presence makes the journey of life easy. We still experience valleys as well as seasons of refreshment—and God is with us through them all. On this side of heaven, there remains tension, longing, and an ache for more. While we can experience God intimately now, we cannot yet experience Him fully. That is what we look forward to at the end of the journey, when Jesus returns.
Scripture gives us a picture of that day—when God’s dwelling place will finally be with His people, when He will live among us, and we will be His forever.
Come, Lord Jesus.
Question to Consider
Where do you feel the tension between already having access to God’s presence and still longing for more of Him—and how is God meeting you on that journey right now?
Prompt for Prayer
Ask God to open your eyes to His nearness in your everyday life. Thank Him for His presence with you now, and bring your longing for more of Him honestly before Him. Pray that your longing would grow into hope as you wait for the day His presence is fully revealed.
