Day 90 — Homesick

Psalm 84 : 1-4

How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty!
My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.
Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may have her young—
a place near your altar, Lord Almighty, my King and my God.
Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you.

As someone who grew up overseas, I often get homesick even after fifteen years of living in the UK. I long for the food, the language, the music and the weather. The familiarity of home brings a sense of comfort that although I now call England home, there will always be something missing.

I wonder if David felt homesick in this Psalm.  He had experienced a glimpse of how amazing dwelling with God was and longed for it so much that his soul cried out for it.  He had known what it was to walk with God through the ups and downs and learnt what it was to dwell with him.

The difference between the feeling of homesickness and longing for the courts of the Lord, is that we can enter into God’s presence and dwell with him whenever and wherever we are. We have immediate access to God and that is amazing. Dwelling with God means that we are conscious of his presence in our lives, despite our shortcomings. God comes close to us and makes himself known.  How can we dwell in God’s presence?

Prayer:  Father , thank you that you come close to us and make yourself known to us and that we can make our home in you. Help us to be more aware of you as we go about our day and remind us of your love for us. Amen. 

Tendi Mudzvovera