Will living for eternity in heaven get boring?
This is an interesting thought that I have heard from a couple of people in the past few weeks. Two Sundays ago, while proclaiming Psalm 23, I said that the idea of dwelling in the house of the Lord forever was a difficult concept during this "Stay Home" season. Then this past Sunday, Ty was proclaiming Psalm 27 and the same phrase was repeated!
Oh, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life?
First of all, it is astounding to meditate on the fact that when I consider "all the days of my life" they extend throughout eternity. There is now, in Christ, no separation between my days under the sun and my days in the fullness of His presence. That idea alone ignites my imagination and challenges my limited concept of time.
Next, how can I possibly fathom the dimensions of "the house of the Lord?" This is a location unlike any other. God is both outside of time and space, yet able to be tangibly present at any given moment and at any chosen locale. Not only that, ALL who place their trust in Him as their Savior, will be with Him all the days of their life too! This is not like spending quiet time alone with God in my prayer closet. This is to be among the multitude of God's people, the heavenly host, and the divine community with a completely new understanding/application of time. My heart leaps when I even begin to entertain this notion!
Finally, there is the hope of "dwelling." In both Psalms, the Hebrew word used is yashab which means to sit, settle, or take root. The prayer is not for a familiar sense of geographical placement or comfort but of deep, unshakable belonging and purpose. Psalm 23 begins with the shepherd providing a restful source of life, and Psalm 27 is concerned with a source of strength among enemies. This dwelling is, itself, the deeply rooted source of eternal security for the rest of my existence. My salvation is secure not based upon my works but on the finished masterpiece of Jesus. This hope has already been realized independent of me and my eternal life is the now the expression of my interdependence with that truth. I can wrestle with this mentally for the fun of it and every burst of knowledge drives me into a closer relationship with Him; I can press into this with my heart and be overcome with emotions that bring me to my knees in the light of His glory; but it is my soul that reaps the benefit of simply receiving this as fact. It is continually restorative.
The revelation of God in one phrase has arrested and unlocked my entire being.
By engaging with the doubt, I have been drawn deeper into His presence. By waiting on Him for a response, I have been invited to sit at His feet. By settling my spirit with His truth, I have rooted myself in eternity.
Oh, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life!
This is an interesting thought that I have heard from a couple of people in the past few weeks. Two Sundays ago, while proclaiming Psalm 23, I said that the idea of dwelling in the house of the Lord forever was a difficult concept during this "Stay Home" season. Then this past Sunday, Ty was proclaiming Psalm 27 and the same phrase was repeated!
Oh, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life?
First of all, it is astounding to meditate on the fact that when I consider "all the days of my life" they extend throughout eternity. There is now, in Christ, no separation between my days under the sun and my days in the fullness of His presence. That idea alone ignites my imagination and challenges my limited concept of time.
Next, how can I possibly fathom the dimensions of "the house of the Lord?" This is a location unlike any other. God is both outside of time and space, yet able to be tangibly present at any given moment and at any chosen locale. Not only that, ALL who place their trust in Him as their Savior, will be with Him all the days of their life too! This is not like spending quiet time alone with God in my prayer closet. This is to be among the multitude of God's people, the heavenly host, and the divine community with a completely new understanding/application of time. My heart leaps when I even begin to entertain this notion!
Finally, there is the hope of "dwelling." In both Psalms, the Hebrew word used is yashab which means to sit, settle, or take root. The prayer is not for a familiar sense of geographical placement or comfort but of deep, unshakable belonging and purpose. Psalm 23 begins with the shepherd providing a restful source of life, and Psalm 27 is concerned with a source of strength among enemies. This dwelling is, itself, the deeply rooted source of eternal security for the rest of my existence. My salvation is secure not based upon my works but on the finished masterpiece of Jesus. This hope has already been realized independent of me and my eternal life is the now the expression of my interdependence with that truth. I can wrestle with this mentally for the fun of it and every burst of knowledge drives me into a closer relationship with Him; I can press into this with my heart and be overcome with emotions that bring me to my knees in the light of His glory; but it is my soul that reaps the benefit of simply receiving this as fact. It is continually restorative.
The revelation of God in one phrase has arrested and unlocked my entire being.
By engaging with the doubt, I have been drawn deeper into His presence. By waiting on Him for a response, I have been invited to sit at His feet. By settling my spirit with His truth, I have rooted myself in eternity.
Oh, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life!
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