SCRIPTURE: Psalm 23
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
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]
There is so much meat in this little psalm.
I could spend weeks digging into its profound depths.
It is a beautiful, much-loved expression of confidence in the goodness of God.
I want to highlight David’s hope for eternal life – now and forever.
David is not just dreaming of heaven, he is experiencing heaven on earth.
The eternal kind of life – one that will go one forever – is one lived in close fellowship with God in this world.
By “house of the Lord”, David does not mean the temple, but the presence of the Lord.
I live with God everywhere, I experience Him everywhere!
Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. [John 14:23]
Jesus invites us into eternal life now already.
To live life now in fellowship with God, with Jesus, with the Spirit.
As we open our hearts to Him in love, God, Jesus and the Spirit move in, make their home with us.
This is eternal life, it begins now already.
Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. [John 17:3]
This experience is not a denial of suffering and hardship.
David rightly sees that we go through valleys.
But we go through them, and He goes with us, and He gets us out of them to the place and feast prepared for us.
In other words, as those who live with and walk with God, we discover quiet places, green pastures, guidance, comfort, strength, blessing as we go through the same challenges as others.
They only experience the challenge, but we experience God through the challenge.
I can think of some amazing examples of Jesus-followers who, despite horrible hardship, have been able to cling to God, to hope, and to discover blessing in the middle of it all.
This is what David is expressing.
God is good, no matter what dangers or valleys we face; He cares for us even more than a shepherd cares for His sheep.
Do you live with God through each day?
Do you sense His presence and power in/with You as you face joys and challenges?
Do you trust Him to lead you through?
Do you look for, and take advantage of, the quiet waters and green pastures He provides along the way.
You can be enjoying eternal life right now, if you want to.
PRAYER:
Lord, You are my Shepherd, You are with me. I am with You. Always!
It is TGIF day today and every day. Today God Is First. Verse 4 of this Psalm states that He is with me. Always.
Where did I see Him today? Where do I see the living God in my daily life? He is with me always and therefore I can also see Him and experience His presence because whatever happens, He will see me through. I just need to walk with my risen Saviour each and every day. He is my Rock, Redeemer, Shepherd and Guide. I am living in His Kingdom also today serving Him in all I do and say. Always. Always I need to put God first.
And so this day . . .
I serve a risen Savior
He’s in the world today.
I know that He is living,
Whatever men may say.
I see His hand of mercy;
I hear His voice of cheer;
And just the time I need Him
He’s always near.
He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart.