Our Eternal Shepherd

Chuckle: "Every time I think about exercise, I lie down until the thought goes away!"

Good Quote: “Death is the golden key that opens the palace of eternity.” --John Milton

"Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever" (Psalm 23:6 NLT).

In the final scene of this beautiful psalm, we see that believers will dwell with God forever. As our perfect Shepherd and Host, God promises to guide and protect us throughout our lives here on earth and to bring us into His house for eternity. Here, the word translated "forever" literally means "length of days," and meant that God would extend the life of the psalmist and make it joyful for the duration of his time on earth. However, David may have also had a vision of life after death in God's presence. In any case, when we hear the word "forever," we are reminded of the words of Jesus concerning eternal life with Him.

"For God so loved the world (you and me) that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16 NLT). It is impossible for us to fully understand the dimensions of God's unfailing love mentioned in our passage, even though He demonstrated it for all time when Christ, the Lamb of God, was sacrificed for our sins. "Oh, the love that drew salvation's plan! Oh, the grace that brought it down to man! Oh, the mighty gulf that God did span at Calvary." The beautiful words of this old hymn say it all.

Speaking of our eternal home, here is what Jesus said as He comforted His disciples the night before He was crucified. "Don't be troubled. You trust God, now trust in me. There are many rooms in my Father's house, and I am going to prepare a place for you. If this were not so, I would tell you plainly. When everything is ready, I will come and get you (all believers), so that you will always be with me where I am" (John 14:1-3 NLT).

Did you notice that the house of the Lord, "my Father's house" has a space being prepared for you and me personally? This incredible truth is all made possible because of the indescribable love and amazing grace of God. We should all break out with spontaneous praise and thanksgiving at the very thought!! Some day, Christ will return and escort each of us into our eternal home where we will remain in the presence of God Himself forever. We will "live in the house of the Lord forever." What a day, what a day that will be!

Love, Jerry & Dotse