Day Six - Dwell in the House of the Lord Forever
“Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” - Psalm 23:6 (NIV)
Jesus, our Shepherd King made it possible for you and me to spend all of eternity with God. I am often amazed when I look at a passage in the Old Testament and see a glimpse of Jesus. Psalm 23 is from David, yet you and I cannot help but see it through the eyes of believers, knowing “The Lord is my Shepherd,” means “The Lord Jesus is my Shepherd.”
Jesus is our Shepherd King. And because He is, we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
We are living in a time where it seems the news is far more devastating than our minds can grasp. The rapid spread of this deadly virus has been horrific, no doubt. But look at the way people have shown kindness and goodness. Grocery store employees are staying open, making sure we all have what we need, working around the clock to restock the shelves; risking their own health for the sake of feeding others. Truck drivers are working hard to transport the goods, back and forth. Coffee shops are giving away free coffee to first responders. People who sew are making masks for medical professionals, because the inventory is not only low, in many places they completely ran out of them. Stores are implementing early hours for seniors, only. People are thinking of their elderly neighbors and leaving toilet paper and non-perishable food items on their front porches. Nurses are using their phones to FaceTime patients’ family members.
This is goodness and love. You and I as believers can show the goodness and love flowing from us, when we allow the Holy Spirit to guide us on paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
But more than goodness and love, I love the part where David said, “and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
Our pastor, Pastor Steve Lawes, was in a series called, “All Things New,” and he was teaching us about Heaven. How so many of us imagine floating on clouds and playing the harp, but in reality, when Jesus comes back, Heaven and earth are going to meet. And God is going to dwell with us again.
To dwell means: 1. to live or stay as a permanent resident; reside. 2. To live or continue in a given condition or state. 3. To linger over, emphasize, or ponder in thought, speech or writing.
I especially love the first definition. “To live or stay as a permanent resident; reside.” God is going to live with us. God is going to stay with us. God is going to be a permanent resident with us.
“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” - Psalm 23:1-6 (NIV)
Broken down: I am resting in my Shepherd King. He has me, so I will not be in want. He makes me rest. He restores me. He guides me with His Holy Spirit. He keeps me from fearing evil. He’s with me to comfort me. He prepares a table for me in front of my enemies. My cup overflows with His blessings. Goodness and love will follow me as long as I live, and then, I will dwell in the house of the Lord, forever.
Oh my Shepherd King. I love you so much.