"The Lord is My Shepherd" Thoughts on Psalm 23:6b

            “ . . . and I shall dwell in
         the house of the Lord forever”
               
 
     As soon as we answer God’s call to follow Him, surrender to His loving pursuit, and accept His Son Jesus as our Savior, we begin to live in His presence.  Some versions (NLT) translate verse 6 as live in the house of the Lord forever while many others translate dwell in the house of the Lord forever (HCS, ESV, NIV).  I love the word dwell.  Combining two definitions from dictionary.com, the meaning of dwell is living as a permanent resident, continuing in a given condition or state whereas live means remaining in a particular place at a particular time.
 
     I have lived in many places in my lifetime, all in northern, eastern, or southern Oregon, but I didn’t continue living in any one of these places.  I moved!  Now think of the difference between living and dwelling.  When we dwell in the house of the Lord, we will be in a permanent and continual state of joy and peace with Him. 
    
     WOW!  Right now, today, you are dwelling in His presence.  Do you feel Him?  In a wonderful little book, The Practice of the Presence of God, Brother Lawrence writes that not only when in prayer, but through each daily chore or activity, we can practice God’s presence, who “paints Himself in the depths of our soul.”1  What an amazing picture!  Imagine God being with you and in you while you are clattering pots and pans in the kitchen, weeding, sewing, playing basketball, reading a story to your children—doing anything and everything!  Your life becomes a prayer, a sweet fragrance to God, and you are dwelling with Him. 

     Let’s choose today to live in God’s presence.  Let us rejoice in all He has done for us and in the knowledge that He pursues us with His goodness and mercy so that we can dwell in God’s house now and forever.  This Christmas season provides the perfect time to meditate on these thoughts.

1.  Goodreads.com

Verses: 

Genesis 3:9  "Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”

Zephaniah 3:17  "For the Lord your God is living among you.
He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”

John 3:16  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."

Romans 8:34  "Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us."

PRAYER:  Thank you, Father, that when I tend to wander, You pursue me, even unto the ends of the earth!  In spite of sin, You chase me down, call to me, and snatch me from worldly snares; because You love me, You never give up!  Thank you, God, for Your persistence!  You call, and I answer, “Yes.  I hear Your voice; yes, I accept Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior; and yes, as Your sheep, I will follow You ALL the days of my life to live with You now and in Your house forever!” 
 
SONG:  “Good Shepherd” by Mercy Hill

I know apart from you there is no life
And there is nothing else that satisfies
But still I wander still I go astray
Still my heart is prone to run
Good shepherd won’t you rest my soul
In your presence where I belong
Good shepherd won’t you lead me home
There is a way to us that looks so right
But I will walk by faith and not by sight
Your love and mercy they will follow me
Through shadows I will be safe
Good shepherd won’t you rest my soul
In your presence where I belong
Good shepherd won’t you lead me home
To the place where I belong
You laid down your life for us
There is no greater love
And we will not be overcome
I am trusting in your goodness
Resting in your promise
We will not be overcome
You laid down your life for us
There is no greater love
And we will not be overcome
I am trusting in your goodness
Resting in your promise
We will not be overcome
You laid down your life for us
There is no greater love
And we will not be overcome
I am trusting in your goodness
Resting in your promise
We will not be overcome
Good shepherd won’t you rest my soul
In your presence where I belong
Good shepherd won’t you lead me home
To the place where I belong
Good shepherd won’t you rest my soul
In your presence where I belong
Good shepherd won’t you lead me home
To the place where I belong
This truth I know so well inside my mind
Move it to my heart and all my life
This truth I know so well inside my mind
Move it to my heart and all my life

Disclaimer:  I am just an ordinary woman who loves Jesus, accepting Him as Savior at the age of thirty-two and digging into the Bible ever since.  How could I possibly hope to develop a heart relationship with God and trust Him with my life if I didn't know who He is?!

These devotionals are written to help you journey with Christ and grow in your heart relationship with Him.  However, it is essential that you examine my words, and those of all other "teachers," with God's Holy Word.  Therein lies the source of all truth! 

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