And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever. Psalm 23:6b NJKV
Even when camping in the open country, I
need security.
Security is a God-created basic human
need. From the moment of birth, I felt it when my mom and dad cradled me in
their arms. They continued to make me feel secure by changing my diapers,
rocking me to sleep, feeding me, and giving me milk and juice to drink. They
supplied all my basic needs.
As I got older and needed my parents less,
I still needed security. I found it by getting a job so I could pay my living
expenses. I discovered it by renting or buying a home to live in that kept me
out of the elements. I felt it also by putting locks on my doors and windows to
keep unwanted people out.
When my wife and I camp, many of those
elements in a home that make me feel secure are missing. But I still need to
feel secure. Instead of sleeping in the open under the stars, we bed down in a
tent and make sure the fly is zipped tightly. This way, no snakes or other
unwanted night creatures can slither in. Somehow, closing the tent makes me
feel secure against bears also, even though I know that wouldn’t keep one out
if he wanted to get in.
We also take along extension cords so we
can plug our phones into a power source. We feel secure if we have a way to contact
the outside world. We carry food and drink. Although we leave the comforts of
our home, we still take the basic things that make us feel secure.
In Psalm 23, the psalmist takes us through
an entire year in a sheep’s life. From the spring at the shepherd’s home to the
green pastures of the high country during the summer and then back to the
shepherd’s dwelling for the fall and winter. Throughout the sheep’s year-long
journey, the shepherd has supplied all their needs, giving them a sense of
security.
David experienced this same care from his
Shepherd. Now, he wanted to dwell in His house forever. We often think about
the church or heaven when reading this verse, but David had no church building
to attend. He did, however, have heaven, as he understood it, to look forward
to.
David boasted about his good Shepherd, and
we should too. God gives us everything we need to feel secure, including
salvation. He promises to meet our needs—physically, spiritually, and
emotionally. And not only in this life but also in the life to come. Eternity
is ours. He won’t take from us—salvation—what He has given to us. A part of that
promise is a new heaven and a new earth.
Telling others about our good Shepherd is
one way we express our gratitude for His blessings. Loving God’s church is
another. Christ died for the church, and our eternal security is represented by
what the church is about and the message she proclaims.
When we’ve made our peace with God, we can
dwell in His presence forever, which is the better meaning of what David says.
While on earth, we enjoy the presence of God’s Spirit, and after death, we’ll
enjoy seeing our Savior face to face.
Have you prepared to be eternally secure?
Prayer: Father, thank You for the promise we
can be eternally secure in Your presence.
Tweetable: Are you eternally safe?
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