Isn’t it appropriate for David to complete this psalm by thinking about heaven? But God is omnipresent and can’t be confined to a box, so what does “house of the Lord” mean? We get a clear picture of what it means by looking to the Old Testament when Solomon built the Temple as the “house of the Lord” in Jerusalem (1 Kings 7:51). When it was dedicated, the Lord descended in clouds of glory so that “the priests could not stand to minister…for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord” (1 Kings 8:11).
The “house of the Lord” is the place where God’s presence is centered. It represents the place of His throne, the place where He lives in the immediate so that we can engage with Him. The “house of the Lord” is “the presence of the Lord.” David was saying, “I will live in the presence of the Lord.” David’s use of the word “forever” implies heaven, where the “house of the Lord” is with other people. The apostle John talks about God’s dwelling with man in Revelation, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God” (Revelation 21:3).
Jesus spoke of this also to His disciples before His death. “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also” (John 14:1-3). Modern culture has interpreted this to mean we’ll get a mansion and walk down physical streets of gold. But Scripture focuses not on the physical attributes of heaven but on the fact that God will dwell and commune with man without any hindrance. This was God’s original design from the beginning in the Garden of Eden. We don’t get more stuff in heaven; we get God! Nothing can be better! David understood this and longed for the day he would dwell in the presence of God forever. Friend, don’t you want that? Don’t you want others to have that? We have Good News to share—that Jesus Christ has prepared the Way for us to be reconciled with God, despite our sin, and to live forever in His presence in heaven. Like David, be a man or woman after God’s own heart; be obedient and share this Good News of our Good Shepherd.
Reflection and Discussion As we close out our review of Psalm 23, I encourage you to look back through Psalm 23 from its beginning and reflect on its application on your own life. (See Questions below). I also encourage to engage and discuss with a friend!
Try walking through the 23rd Psalm and replace the words “I” and “my” with your own name. Now read back through the Psalm where you have written in your name; see any conflicts?
What areas of life are you most dependent upon God? Areas where you feel least dependent upon God? What areas of your life do you have difficulty surrendering to Him
What area(s) of service to others has God led you to? Do you find joy in these area(s) of service? What is keeping you from spending more time in these areas?
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