There is so much peace to be found in the 23rd Psalm. God’s care and provision is in every verse. Let us dwell on the final verse of the Psalm…”surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the House of the Lord forever”. Think of it, dear one. Through all the years of care and provision God has done it with goodness and mercy.
There was a moment at the end of the day in Israel when the shepherds would call the flock to the sheepfold. He would proceed to check each sheep carefully for wounds and briars. He treated them with tenderness as he cleaned the briars from their wool and used wine and oil on their cuts for healing. They were then put inside the sheepfold, which was a rock wall that was built to hold them safely through the night. The wall was not high. No sheep wished to escape the safety of the sheepfold. The shepherd then had his flock close together where he could watch over them and protect them from wild animals.
Beloved, as believers, someday we will be called by the Good Shepherd to come Home to e “sheepfold” and we will “dwell in the House of the Lord forever”. We will have been cleansed by the Shepherd. We will have no desire to escape the safety of God’s Heavenly Sheepfold. What a comforting, peaceful promise to look forward to.
“Father, help me to take comfort in the promise of the Psalm and enjoy the journey toward Home. Help me to look forward to the place you have prepared for me to live forever and ever. Thank you for your goodness and mercy."
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