Embrace the Presence of God 

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Psalm 23: 4-6 “4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” 

 

 Scripture Reading: Psalm 23 

 

 Psalms 23 is known and loved by many. The Lord is compared to a shepherd and the believer to His sheep; then the Lord is likened to a host with the believer as the guest. It expresses the role of God as our protector and provider in life. It brings joy and comfort in both happy and dark times. It reminds us of God's presence. Therefore, no attack from the front or rear can reach us because protection is provided. He is always there, day and night, every day. He is present in our joy, sadness, and love. He is part of our work, home, and spiritual life. 

 

 The phrase "the valley of the shadow of death" may represent any significant crisis or danger. This reminds us that the Lord is always present. The presence of God is eternal. The rewards of the earthly life lived in obedience and servitude to him with all of its struggles is that one day we shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. 

 

 The Lord's presence makes him knowledgeable. He sees and he hears. His presence indicates that he is available to fight our battles. The Lord’s presence indicates his love for us. His very presence is a challenge to live courageously for him.

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The Provisions of God

 Psalm 23:6 “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

 Scripture Passage: Psalm 23

This phrase affirms God's blessings. "Goodness" and "mercy" are attributes of God's character, often seen throughout the Old Testament. "Goodness" refers to God's benevolent nature, providing for and protecting His people. "Mercy" (or "lovingkindness") is a translation of the Hebrew word "chesed," which denotes steadfast love and covenant loyalty. The idea of these attributes "following" suggests a relentless pursuit, indicating that God's blessings are not passive but actively seek out the believer. This assurance is rooted in the covenant relationship between God and His people, as seen in passages like (Exodus 34:6-7) “6 The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, 7 keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.”, where God describes Himself as abounding in love and faithfulness. The phrase "all the days of my life" highlights God's continual care, reflecting His constant presence as promised in (Deuteronomy 31:6)  “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

"Dwell" implies a permanent residence, suggesting a deep, ongoing relationship with God. The "house of the LORD" refers to the temple, the central place of worship and God's dwelling among His people. In David's time, this would have been the tabernacle, and later the temple in Jerusalem, symbolizing God's presence and the place where His glory resided. The concept of dwelling in God's house forever points to an eternal communion with God, transcending the temporal limitations of earthly life. This is further illuminated in the New Testament, where believers are described as the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19) “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own.”, and Jesus speaks of preparing a place for His followers in His Father's house (John 14:2-3) “2 Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”  The eternal aspect of this promise aligns with the hope of eternal life and the ultimate fulfillment of God's kingdom, as prophesied in passages like (Isaiah 25:6-8) “6 On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wine, of rich food full of marrow, of aged wine well refined. 7 And he will swallow up on this mountain the covering that is cast over all peoples, the veil that is spread over all nations. 8 He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken.” and (Revelation 21:3-4)  “3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”, where God dwells with His people in a renewed creation. 

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Christ and Isaac, the Son of Promise 

 

Genesis 12: 1-2, “1 Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. 2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.” 

 

Scripture Reading: Genesis 12: 1-2; 18: 10-12; 21: 1-3; 22: 1-3 

 

The people had forgotten God and began to worship idols, after the flood. However, before all knowledge of the true God disappeared, God stepped in and called a man named, Abram. God came seeking Abram just as he comes today seeking sinners. 

 

The relationship between God and Abram was to be a new beginning on earth, culminating in the coming of Jesus to provide salvation for sinful humankind. This is another event in the Bible where we find another fore glimpse of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

 

 Abram did not take a single step toward God, but God called Abram to himself. A person cannot move toward God until God first calls him or her. God “breaks into" our lives and calls us to himself. 

 

 Abraham was told by God to leave three things: 

 1. His country. 

 2. He was to leave his people. 

 3. He was told to leave his father's household. 

 

 Just like Abram, Christian must relinquish all things that are contrary to the will of God, to receive the fullness of God's blessings in their lives. 

 

 God had a plan, a purpose, for something better for Abram. When God insists that we renounce certain things, certain patterns of life, it is because he has something better in store for us. It would be through Abram descendants that God would carry out his plan and purpose for the salvation of sinful humankind. 

 

 Sarah was barren. But Abram had such a great faith in God that he believed that he and Sarah could have a son in their old age. Years passed. But God moved again to fulfill his promise. Sarah gave birth to Isaac the “Son of Promise.” When we look at the birth of Isaac, we can see a parallel to events regarding the promise of and preparation for the coming of Jesus. Isaac was Abram’s and Sarah's “only begotten son”. Jesus was “the only begotten of the Father” in heaven. All of Abram’s love was centered on Isaac. Jesus also was well beloved of the father. The land of Moriah, where Abram took Isaac, is the same where region Mount Calvary is located and where Jesus was sacrificed. 

 

 The story of Isaac, the “Son of Promise” is a fore glimpse of the Lord Jesus.