The Good Shepherd: Devotions Inspired by Psalm 23预览

Welcome Home! 

By Thomas Miller 

“In My Father’s house are many rooms; ....” John 14:2 (NASB) 

It’s easy to look at the world around us and be consumed by worry, fear, and anxiety. Since I was a child, I’ve heard songs, sermons, and soliloquies about escaping this terrible planet. Like me, you may long for the day you will be face-to-face with the Lord in heaven. But the wonderful thing is that when you give your life to Jesus, you immediately receive a new residency—it’s not something that happens down the road or in the distant future; you are home now. 

Jesus said, “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many rooms; if that were not so, I would have told you, because I am going there to prepare a place for you” (John 14:1–2, NASB). And that’s exactly what Jesus did! He died on the cross, rose again, and went to the Father to prepare your eternal heavenly home. And if Jesus is Lord of your life, you are living in that eternal home right now because God dwells with you. 

Before Jesus went to prepare a place for you and me, He said, “If anyone loves Me, he will follow My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our dwelling with him” (John 14:23, NASB). When you put your faith in Jesus, you are in Him, and He is in you. He sent His Holy Spirit to live in you and guide you through every storm in life. And the Lord has invited you to dwell in His house—right here and right now. Just like the father who welcomed home his prodigal son, He welcomes us home with open arms and unconditional love. 

One of the most beautiful things about the Church is that we all have the same home; all of us reside with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We are at home with God, and He is at home with us. We are brothers and sisters in Christ living in the same house. The Bible says together we are a “spiritual house” for God (1 Peter 2:5). There is peace in the midst of the storm around us. There is joy that prevails in pain. There is hope, there is love, and there is rest. And it’s all found in the Father’s house. When the world is crumbling around us, we can encourage each other with the truth that we are standing on solid ground in the Father’s house. 

So if you have chosen Jesus, remember you are already home. He can do amazing things in and through you because you are at home in Him, and He is at home in you. You can experience profound miracles because the same power that dwells in Jesus dwells in you! You can freely extend God’s mercy and offer His love and forgiveness to those who have hurt you because you are in God and God is in you. 

As you live your life in God, you can personally experience all His benefits daily. Your life can be filled with supernatural peace, joy, hope, and love because God is with you. And because God lives in you, others can receive those benefits through you. All of this is a (super)natural part of living your life with God. Every day can be spent in an intimate—closer than close—loving relationship with Him because you live your life in the Father’s house. And just as David wrote in Psalm 23, “I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” 

Welcome home! 

PRAYER 

Jesus, thank You for giving me a wonderful eternal home with You, the Father, and the Holy Spirit. Thank You for preparing a place for me. I’m grateful that I live in You, and You live in me here on earth. I am home. Thank You, Father, for welcoming me home. And thank You, Holy Spirit, for living in me. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

FOR FURTHER REFLECTION      

• Read through the verses for further study and take note of the many ways in which God dwells with you, strengthens you, and provides for all your needs.     
• Reflect on all the wonderful benefits of Jesus, the Father, and the Holy Spirit living with you, and create points of praise based on His promises to be with you.     
• Thank God for the ways He has been with you in difficult times and filled you with His joy and peace.

Holy Spirit, what are You saying to me today?

MEMORY VERSE

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