Read the Psalm

“May the Lord bless you from Zion!” What poignant way to end these prayers of pilgrimage. Zion was a place but for the people of God in the Old Testament scriptures, it was even more of a concept. Zion was an overarching word for the dwelling place of God. So, the idea behind this last part of the psalm is that all genuine blessing emanates from the house of God/His presence. So, God’s presence is the essence of “blessing.” To pray blessing for someone is to pray that they experience God’s presence and love.

And, as we’ve explored, to be in God’s presence is to be at home in His love … to be at rest in the reality that we are loved. There is nothing to attain. Nothing to achieve. Nothing to prove. As we pilgrimage, this is where we end up. At home. And we realize we’ve been at home all along.

Eugene Peterson suggests this in the Message translation of Romans 5:1-2: “By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that’s not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise.”

To be home is to be in that place where you are loved … seen, known, understood, and valued. As we consider the invitation to walk home, it is the journey into receiving God’s love. When God wanted to demonstrate this love, we read a few verses later in Romans 5 that “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (verse 8) Jesus took on human flesh and died on the cross to set us free and bring us back into an experience of the love of God. When Jesus was first named by the angel to Joseph, He was called Immanuel which means God with us. Rather than love being understood as an abstract idea, God’s love is His presence with us. 

And this is enough. His presence is sufficient. We often walk through life thinking that we need just one more thing. Or, that we need one thing to change in order for us to be happy. Paul’s struggle in 2 Corinthians 12 with some kind of affliction led to him asking for it to be removed, but the Lord said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” His grace … love … presence in our lives is enough.

The Letter to the Hebrews explores this theme (the sufficiency of Christ) as well and encourages us to look to the cross and see that we are at home and can rest. We can rest from our pursuits for meaning and purpose and happiness, finding that all we need is right here and right now in Christ.

“Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:14–16)

Hebrews encourages us to “enter God’s rest” (4:10) as we “hold fast our confession” (v. 14) and “draw near to the throne of grace.” (v. 16) Essentially, our confession is that Christ is our home and so we draw near rather than turn away.

How are you being led to draw near to the throne of grace? How does a throne of grace and love draw you in ways that a different kind of throne might evoke shame or a desire to distance? Romans 2:4 reminds us that “God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance.” To repent is to turn back toward. Are there ways in which your heart has been turned away and God’s kindness is now calling you to turn back toward home? Brother David Vryhof (SSJE) shared:

“When we awaken and are able to recall who we are and to whom we belong, when we stand up and dust ourselves off and begin the journey home, God comes running to meet us. God offers us forgiveness even though we don’t deserve it. God offers us pardon even though we haven’t earned it. God offers us a home even though we chose to leave it.”

As you consider this journey home, bless His name. Rest in the reality that you are in His presence and therefore in His love.

Reflection questions: are you sensing any new invitations to turn toward God’s presence? to rest in His love? Sit for a few moments and simply meditate on His presence with you. What do you notice shifting in your spirit, your mind, your body?

Prayer: Lord, I receive Your love. I rest in it, knowing that You are always with me and always loving me. Give me eyes to see You and ears to hear You step by step as I continue to journey of walking home. Amen.