In Ps 23:6 David wrote, “and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever”.  When we read this we receive instruction about our dwelling.  

Future Dwelling.  “I will dwell”.  To dwell is to live as a resident and to remain for a time.  At the time David wrote this Psalm, he was on the move through pastures, waters, paths, a valley, and before his enemies.  And while we are here, we are not idle.  We are not resting as a resident; we are working as a servant.  See Lk 17:7-10.  It’s not time to sit down and sup yet.  There’s still work to be done.  And you don’t want to spend all your time fixing things up down here.  Instead, prepare for your future up there.

Heavenly Dwelling.  “In the house of the Lord”.  The house of the Lord is not an earthly house or building.  1 Ki 8:27, “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded”?  

Acts 17:24, “God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands”.  

Therefore, set your affection on things above not on things on the earth.  There are over 450 references to “dwell” in the Bible, and nearly all of them are about earthly dwellings.  David was only concerned about his heavenly dwelling.

Eternal Dwelling.  “For ever”.  In the word dwell, the resident remains for a time.  Our time will be for ever.  The person with whom David had spent every moment throughout his life is the person with whom he wanted to spend eternity.  In Ps 84:10 the Psalmist wrote, “For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness”.

It’s strange that people who claim to want to go to heaven when they die don’t want to spend much time with the Lord down here until they get there.  Our lives shouldn’t be like that.  The shepherd was with his sheep (David) the whole way and David wanted the shepherd with him the whole way.  And this is why he was looking forward to maintaining this relationship for eternity.

Conclusion: Dwell… remember where you’re going.  That’s where you’ll dwell for ever.  If your future, heavenly, eternal dwelling hasn’t been on your mind, then start spending more time following the Lord now. In time, you will say the same thing David said in this Psalm.

To read and hear the prior sermon in this series, see Goodness and Mercy. This sermon on Your Dwelling is the final sermon in this series.