We humans are all very much alike. Our physical bodies function in the same way. The neurons in our brains snap with electrical signals in the same way.  Our hearts pump blood in the same way.

 

Our souls also have the same deep longing for … something. 

 

Isn’t it interesting how we are always searching for the next thing? Our brain never rests contemplating on the next outfit, the next car, the next promotion, the next entertainment, the next relationship, the next surge of excitement, the next paycheck, the next day, the next vacation, the next (fill in the blank). That’s how we are programmed, to long for something in our hearts and search it out until we find it.

 

The problem is, we never do. We never find that one thing that we are sure is to make us happy. We never find the thing that keeps us feeling content and satisfied for the rest of our lives. We never achieve that one thing that is guaranteed to make us feel safe or important or whatever that hole-in-the-heart need is. 

 

And though logic tells us that once we have arrived at that thing, in our minds, that will fulfill us, then we will at last be satisfied, the satisfaction never stays. Sometimes it vanishes almost immediately leaving us with a deflating disappointment. 

 

This is how God created us, to be searching for something at all times. 

 

Why? Our endless searching is a part of our core being. Our longing exists solely to drive us to God. Our yearning is part of our spirits because he made us to fellowship with him. Isaiah 26:8-9 says, “Your name and remembrance are the desire of our soul. My soul yearns for you in the night; my spirit within me earnestly seeks you.”

 

Verse 2 - My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.

 

Our soul, in it’s original sinless state, would naturally and instantly recognize our longing for God. However, our sin nature has veiled our yearning; we are blind to what we are actually searching for. And our human heart is so easily distracted that, without God’s help, we are helpless to see that what we are actually searching for is God.

 

Only with the kind help of our sweet heavenly Father can he begin to pull the scales off of our eyes to see, bit by bit, our longing for him. When we nurture a real relationship with him through prayer and fasting, Bible study and loving others, he will show us in these meetings with him what our heart truly yearns for. “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?” (Psalm 42:2) 

 

And what would happen if we spent our life looking to God with these longings? What would happen if, instead of turning to Amazon or Netflix, we recognized that our heart is actually crying out for communion with God? I believe verses 4 through 7 paint a picture of what our lives would look like if we were to recognize our longing for God and our desire to be near him:

 

Verse 4 - Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you.

 

Blessed are those whose life is centered around serving God, fellowshiping with him, loving him. Their unceasing worship is marked by joy, strength, and security. This worship is demonstrated through loving others in his name.

 

Verse 5 - Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.

 

Blessed are those who rely on God for their strength as they travel through this life. They view their earthly life as a journey, not an end-all destination; their hearts know the hope that there is something better ahead.

 

Verse 6a - As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs. 

 

As God’s children travel through difficulties and sufferings, the Valley of Weeping (see Judges 2:1-5), they make it a place of joy and celebration. 

 

Verse 6b - The autumn rains also cover it with pools.

 

The cool rains gently pour onto the Valley of Weeping, covering it instead with refreshment and overflowing satisfaction.

 

Verse 7 - They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.

 

They go from grace to grace, gaining in Christ-likeness until each one finally appears before God and the longing to see him is fulfilled. "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18)

 

This is such a beautiful picture of our life’s journey, a snapshot of how God envisions our life on earth. Our reliance on him, allowing him to meet that longing in our hearts will make even the worst suffering to be a sweet time with our heavenly Father. And as we allow him to change our hearts, moving from "strength to strength," we gain in Christlikeness until we stand before God our Father in Heaven.

 

I like to personalize these verses (2, 4-7):

 

Blessed am I who dwell in your house; I am ever praising you.

My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord.

I am blessed, my strength is in you, my heart is set on pilgrimage.

As I pass through the Valley of Baka, I make it a place of springs; 

the autumn rains also cover it with pools of refreshment and satisfaction.

I will go from strength to strength, till I appear before God in Zion.

 

When I peer through the lens of eternity with God, I can see clearly see that my feeble attempts to fill my heart’s voids with silly trinkets is laughable. I need God. I need only his companionship and his strength. He is the only source of joy and peace. Nothing else matters.  

 

For further reading: Psalm 84 (the entire Psalm), Psalm 73, 2 Corinthians 5