Where’s God?

How happy are those whose strength comes from you,
who are eager to make the pilgrimage to Mount Zion.
As they pass through the dry Baca Valley,
it becomes a place of springs;
the autumn rain fills it with pools.
They grow stronger as they go;
they will see the God of gods on Zion. (verses 5-7)

Read Psalm 84:1-7

I saw what was left of the Temple in Zion. While in Israel I saw the great places of our Christian faith. I saw Lake Galilee, Capernaum, Jericho, Nazareth, Bethlehem and Jerusalem. I wasn’t consciously trying to find God there, but on the inside I had a hidden desire that going to Zion would help me see God. An amazing thing happened. I appreciated the reality that God was back in Australia! I discovered in a new way that God is present where we live, because he lives with us. We are his new temple, a temple that doesn’t have bricks or mortar. I especially appreciated that the God of the temple in Jerusalem was the God who was present in his people as they gathered in Adelaide, Melbourne,     Wagga Wagga, Hermannsburg, Geraldton and anywhere that we Christians gather in Jesus’ name.

May you grow stronger as you see the God of Zion in his people around you in your place, for he is with you there.

Lord of all creation, to you be my praise. Your working is mighty and your ways are full of wonder. You rule in glory so great that I cannot speak of it. Yet you dwell in my humble heart. Be in my heart to the end of my days. Amen.

by Adrian Kitson in ‘Renewed Hope for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2000)

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