Scripture Study
“I am a sojourner on the earth; hide not your commandments from me!” — Psalm 119:19
A Fresh Approach to God’s Word
My time in God’s Word has looked a little different this year. Instead of following a strict daily checklist of chapters to get through, I’ve been setting aside a specific block of time each day.
This simple shift has changed my mindset. Rather than rushing just to mark a section as “done,” I find myself genuinely getting drawn into the narrative. I almost always end up reading more each day than I initially planned! I hope you’re experiencing a similar refresh in your own quiet time with God.
A Word That Kept Jumping Off the Page
As I’ve been reading over the last couple of days, one specific word kept stopping me in my tracks: sojourn.
By definition, a sojourn is a temporary stay or a period of dwelling in a foreign place. Scripture frequently uses this term to describe figures like Abraham and Jacob, who lived as sojourners as they traveled through and resided temporarily in foreign lands.
That is precisely how God calls us to view our existence here on earth. This world is not our ultimate home.
For Abraham and the patriarchs, living as sojourners was the direct result of answering God’s call. It meant they couldn’t rely on local stability or societal systems; they had to depend entirely on God for guidance, safety, and provision every single step of the way. Consider the Israelites wandering in the wilderness for forty years—God sustained every single one of their needs in a barren place.
The Vacation Mindset
Reflecting on this forced me to ask a few honest questions:
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How do you view your day-to-day life here on earth?
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Are you living primarily for your own comfort, or for God’s overarching purpose?
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This world is packed with incredible blessings, but are you pursuing those things more passionately than you are seeking God Himself?
Think about how you act when you go on vacation or travel to visit family in another state. Your goal isn’t to buy furniture and build up permanent assets while you’re staying in a hotel or rental. Instead, you enjoy the experience for what it is, fully aware that your stay is short and that you’ll eventually pack up and head back home.
Our time on this side of eternity is a temporary stay. Be careful not to get so caught up in accumulating things or building your own earthly kingdom that you miss out on what God uniquely placed you here to accomplish.
When we finally return to our true home, it’s the work done for His Kingdom that will stand the test of time.
Have a great day in Christ,
Matt
