Goodness, love, and more…
During the past year, many of us have had much more time at home. This, of course, has had both positive and negative aspects which I won’t delve into in this message. But I want to pose this question…
What is home?
And, another important question…
Why is home special to us?
This week’s message is the sixth, and final, in my series on Psalm 23. In my initial post, I mentioned that Dr. Charles Allen (primary source for this series) recommends Psalm 23 as medicine for healing. I concur that David’s message has been a balm for my hurting soul.
Surely your 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
I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Isn’t that a wonderful thought? Our writer, David, has no doubt of his future. He doesn’t say, “I think…” or “Maybe, I’ll be in God’s house after I die…”
No, David, says, “Surely…I will be in the house of the Lord forever.”
David is certain of his future with God…at home with God, forever
Dr. Allen writes:
David was an old man when he wrote the Twenty-third Psalm. He had seen tragedies and disappointments, but he had also come to know God–a God who knows the needs of His children and who abundantly provided for those needs, a God who can restore life and take away fear. In spite of dark clouds on the horizon, with a God like Him whom David knew, David was sure the sun would shine tomorrow.”
God’s Psychiatry: Healing for Your Troubled Heart, p 42
David had faith and confidence in his God. But, let’s look again at the beginning of verse 6:
“Surely goodness and love (the KJV says mercy) will follow me all the days of my life…”
We like that, don’t we? Goodness, mercy, and love following us ALL the days of our life?
That reminds us of another promise from God…
This is the day that the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad it it. Psalm 118:24
Each day is a gift. Home is also a gift
Back to the questions I posed at the beginning–What is home and why is home special? Some thoughts…
- Home is our safe place.
- Home is a place of rest.
- Home is with our loved ones.
- Home is where we find joy.
What would you add? How is home special to you?
Part of knowing the value of something is recognizing how our lives are affected when we don’t have it. Those who have always shared a home with loved ones and suddenly find themselves in an empty house, realize the loss of home.
And then there is the tragedy of those who don’t have a home–the homeless under the bridge, sheltering in tents, or hiding in a seldom traveled alley. Or displaced families who’ve lost their homes due to an economic crisis. Then we must ask ourselves–what about the person who has no hope of an eternal home because they’ve not accepted Jesus as their Savior?
David had faith in his eternal home even without the benefit of hearing the words Jesus spoke to Martha that still speak to us:
I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26
Do you believe?
Before I leave you, please read Psalm 23 once more–aloud if you will, and recognize that David’s God is your God and the message is spoken for you.
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely your 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
I pray this timeless message will heal your wounds, assure you of God’s great love for you, and guide you to seek (and help others) to recognize their final home is with our Lord and His Home is glorious beyond anything we can imagine.
Source:
*Dr. Charles L. Allen. God’s Psychiatry: Healing for Your Troubled Heart. Revell, Grand Rapids, 2015 (originally published in 1953).
Previous blogs in this series on Psalm 23
Such a wonderful series, Katherine. I love taking scripture one verse at a time like this. I also love the idea that He is our home, our resting place, no matter where life takes us.
Thank you, Jeanne. I also find it very comforting that we will be with our loved ones, at home, with Jesus. Wishing you a blessed week.
Have so enjoyed this journey through Psalm 23 with you Ms. Katherine. In addition to all the things you mention of home, I think too that my little ranch is that safe place where I can surrender myself completely to God’s urgings, and teachings, in my life. He led me to this place as His nature-infused classroom to help me move closer to Him. Of course too, I was humming the tune “This Word is Not My Home!” God’s blessings gentle friend.
I love your phrase, “nature-infused classroom.” I’ve learned so much from farm life, my animals, and taking walks in nature. It seems that when I am outside in God’s amazing creation, my mind, ears, and eyes open up so much better to His message. Now, my friend, you’ve got me singing that same hymn that is so dear to my heart. Wishing you many blessings and a break from the frigid weather.
“Home is where we find joy.” How true and yet as you’ve reminded us, our true home is with the Lord and that will be our forever home, where we will find safety, joy, rest, and all our loved ones who’ve gone before. Thank you, Katherine. I am praying for you!
I’m so grateful for your encouragement and prayers, Kathy. We are so blessed to know that our Lord will welcome us to our eternal home with open arms and we will be reunited with all our loved ones. Take care, my friend.
Home is where I’m loved and accepted despite my faults, quirks, and shortcomings.
I’ve enjoyed this series too. A heart like David is what I want.
The Bible tells us that “David is a man after God’s own heart.” Like you, Candyce, I want to be a woman after God’s own heart. We, who have experienced homes where we are loved unconditionally, are so blessed. And we are infinitely more blessed by God’s unconditional love. Take care and be safe, my friend.
It’s comforting to know that David knew God well enough to write this psalm even though he’d encountered trials. As I read your post, Katherine, I thought about how knowing Jesus, our Shepherd, makes us feel at home with Him. I’ve enjoyed your series.
Oh, to have a heart like David’s. I want to be a woman “after God’s own heart.” We are so blessed to have Jesus as our Shepherd, always watching over His fold. Wishing you continued blessings, my encouraging friend.