“I shall dwell in the house of the Lord" - Psalms 23:6 (Part 1)

Psalms 23:6 - “I shall dwell in the house of the Lord" (pt 1)

Of all the things that King David was looking forward to, the one thing he most desired was to dwell in the house of God. Where is this house and what is it like?

We have to remember two things. First of all, throughout the Bible God and His prophets refer to many things as the dwelling place for God and His people. We read about lands, houses, temples, mountains, tabernacles and even the earth itself in that regard. Many of them are called the “Dwelling place of the Most High" or the “House of the Lord.”

But, these are figurative homes for God. God is not a physical being in the same sense as you and me. God doesn’t have a need for a physical place to live. Isaiah 66:1 says, "Where is a house you could build for Me? And where is a place that I may rest?"

In Acts 17:24, the apostle Paul tells us that "God does not live in temples made with human hands." So, what are we talking about when we say the "House of the Lord"? What does that mean?

Ephesians 2:19-22 tells us that God's home is in His people. What that tells us is that you and I are the house of the Lord. The church is His temple, built to become His dwelling place, but we are the church.

David wasn’t necessarily looking forward a physical place that would be God’s house, although he wanted to build a physical temple in Jerusalem. He understood the real nature of God.

When the temple was finally built by David’s son, Solomon, this is what was said about it:

1 Kings 8:27

“But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain You, how much less this house which I have built!”

What David wanted was to take his place among God’s people. He wanted to be a part of God’s eternal kingdom in heaven. That is what he meant by the dwelling place of God. We are all building blocks in that eternal temple. You and I are the stones with which that place is built and Christ Himself is the cornerstone!

Are you ready for your place in God’s kingdom? Are you letting Him chisel you into shape so you can take your place in His temple?

1 Peter 2:5

“...you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood...”

We will dwell in that house, some day, with King David. This is the hope that defines us as God’s people ... restoration with our God and living with Him forever.