Joel M Bradshaw

6…and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.—Psalm 23

I doubt that David had as nuanced of an understanding of the life to come as we do. Most of us grew up with the ‘everlasting life’ of John 3:16. But David seems to proclaim that Yahweh’s house provides both an identity and security. A forever identity and security.

As a pastor I’ve been asked to be present at many funerals. And usually there is a graveside service that followed. I’ve read Psalm 23 each time. This is because of that forever hope. And when I knew the deceased had followed Jesus, I proclaimed verse 6 as their present reality.

But if you think about it, we also dwell with God now. Christians believe in the Holy Spirit who is God with us. That forever hope in Christ starts now and blessedly continues into eternity. Therefore our identities and securities are right now based on that fact. Live today as a beloved member of God’s house. You have a forever hope not limited by your temporal situations, but is still present.—JMB