Provision, Protection, and Peace part 8 (final)

and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. – Psalm 23:6b

“I will dwell” is a faith declaration that says I will stay, abide, or remain. It comes from a word that expresses the same thought as if one was getting married and said “I’m gonna settle down. No more running around.”

Concerning the “house of the LORD”, it is not necessarily a building (sheep stayed in the pasture) but it could speak of the place of His presence or the inside of His borders or boundaries. Also, remember that the shepherd’s flock constantly moved. So to dwell in this house is not all about staying where you are, staying the same way, or using the same methods as this only gives way to religious spirits and not God-relational building. We need to be sensitive to move as He moves or leads.

Father, my loving shepherd, I express my choice to stay and abide with and in You. I know that I could try other means of comfort, strength and fulfillment. Sure, I could look into these new age theories. Certainly, I could focus on just thinking positively and being at one with nature for my peace. I could live by Karma and “secrets” or go searching for the next new drug, if I wanted… but why? As Peter said, “Where will we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also, we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (John 6:68-69). Nothing compares to You. Nothing is in Your class. No love is deeper. No power is greater. I admit that in my flesh I am prone to wander and stray but I focus on Your grace to keep me, not my ability to walk upright and I will continue to declare all the more that there is none like You. I am of Your pasture. Where You go, I go. Where You lodge, I lodge. Forever.

Ruth 1:16; Hebrews 7:19; John 6:68-69