THE HOUSE OF THE LORD

Read Psalm 27–28

      One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life. Psalms 27:4

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      King David had a heart for God's house, which in his day was the Tabernacle. He wanted to build a temple for the Lord, but God would not let him do it in his generation. David’s son, Solomon would be the one to carry out his plans, with materials his father had gathered together.   (1 Kings 8:19)

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      Today, the Lord's house is the Church, the Body of Christ, made up of believers who are themselves, the Temple His Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 3:16–17) The places where the Church meets, places of fellowship and worship, can be anywhere–in a home, a school or an elaborate building. The author of Hebrews warns, "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:25)

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      Lord, thank You for the privilege of meeting freely with other believers. May our love for Your Church be so genuine and obvious that our children and grandchildren, like David, will desire to dwell in Your house all the days of their lives.

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      At his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD. Psalm 27: 6b

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD

Read Psalms 23–25; John 10:11–18

     The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. Psalm 23:1–3 NKJV

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     King David, a former sheep herder, knew all about tending flocks of sheep. Without a shepherd to follow, the lambs would wander into dangerous territory, falling down ravines or being attacked by wolves or lions. Jesus spoke of Himself as the Good Shepherd who cares for His sheep–not as a hireling–but as one who owns His flock. He said, “I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.” (John 10:14 NKJV)

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     Like sheep, we are prone to wander into precarious situations. Only when we fix our eyes on our Shepherd will we be safe and secure from Satan who loves to disrupt and destroy. Peter warns believers to “be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. “ (1 Peter 5:8 NKJV)

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     Lord, I praise you for your leading and protection for our family and our church. With You as our Shepherd we can say with David, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. (Psalm 23:6 NKJV)

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     Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25:4–5 NIV