I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever

Introduction

As we come to the conclusion of this Psalm; let us remember where we started in verse 1. We began our journey in late winter or early spring, we were in the pastures close to home; we had green grass, water, and protection. As summer approached we left home and followed our shepherd along the right paths, through the valleys, arriving at a mesa the shepherd had prepared for us. We have been well cared for, well protected from insects, he anointed my head with oil, from predators with his rod, and guided by his staff; but now it is autumn, time to go down the mountain and go home.

During this mountain top experience we, the sheep, have had intimate contact with shepherd; he has demonstrated his love towards us. We know how much he cares.

The Psalm is almost like bookends, vs.1 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want, and now I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever!

The sheep is so satisfied with its lot in life, so fully content with the care it receives, so much at home with the shepherd, that there is no desire to change. I’ll be right here!

I will dwell is from the Hebrew word meaning abide, reside, sit down; the word implies remaining or sitting down in one’s presence. The sheep (us) is satisfied with life. Another word we often us is content or contentment.

Joseph Henry Thayer, theologian, stated: Contentment is a perfect condition of life which no aid or support is needed.

Lets be practical for a minute, contentment is:

Just as happy driving a Mercedes as that old jalopy you had in High School. In both cases we have a ride.

Just as much pleasure in a $300,00 house as a rented 2 bedroom apartment. In both cases we have a roof over your head.

Approaching a T-Bone as a hot dog. In both cases we have food, and are not starving.

Being just as satisfied with designer clothes as clothes from the thrift store. In each case we have clothes on our back.

Realizing God has met our needs. So how content are we? Lets answer that by looking at another word in the verse: In the house. In the Hebrew it is literally house or household, but the root word is family. Now get this, putting I will dwell and in the house together, we get: I will sit down in the family of God. I will remain in his presence. Why? Because I am content.

Sources of contentment

1. Contentment is from God.

Philippians 4:11–12 KJV 1900

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

Paul wrote Philippians, he is speaking from experience. We are introduced to Paul in the Book of Acts, where we learn he was a Roman citizen, a Pharisee, a man of wealth, a man of prestige (Schooling), a man of power, and a man of influence. Then in Chapter 9, on the road to Damascus, life changed, he met Jesus. After that encounter, his life was never the same; he faced poverty, prison, and persecution. Yet, according to the above verse, he was content. Why?

Philippians 4:19 KJV 1900

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Because he knew his strength was in Christ, he had the faith to realize Jesus Christ would meet his needs in the best possible way.

Contentment grows out of humility and trust in God.

Psalm 131 KJV 1900

A Song of degrees of David. Lord, My heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: Neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me. Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, As a child that is weaned of his mother: My soul is even as a weaned child. Let Israel hope in the Lord From henceforth and for ever.

We sometimes to think too highly of ourselves; forgetting about others. We become covetous of others, become dissatisfied with our lot in life. The root cause of these emotions is pride! Pride causes us to want more things and/or more attention. Humility puts others first, allows us to be content with God leading our lives. No longer have to prove ourselves, we just trust God.

Contentment grows out of devotion to Jesus Christ.

Matthew 6:24 KJV 1900

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

We live in a materialistic society-and a microwave society. Unfortunately many are committed to the worship of money, power, prestige, and things instead of Jesus Christ.

1 Timothy 6:10 KJV 1900

For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Money, does not bring contentment, just the desire for more.

Contentment grows out of eternal values.

Through out His earthly ministry, Jesus contrasted heavenly values with earthly values. We, humans, well at least some, only live for the here and now. We allow possessions, hobbies, passions consume us.

We are warned way back in Exodus not to worship idols. An idol is anything that come between you and God.

Joshua 24:15 KJV 1900

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Just as Joshua was commanding the nation of Israel to choose, to make a decision. Jesus wants us to make a decision that allows us to live contently with whatever we have because we have chosen what is eternal and lasting.

Contentment grows out of having God’s perspective on life.

We need to begin to focus on what God wants us to do…even if we are senior adults. We need to focus on His ministries, not money, or possessions; do you know why we focus on those things? You have a longing or a hole in your heart you are trying to fill; but this is a God sized hole that only God can fill. People are crying out, shoulda, woulda, coulda, or if I only had. The Good Shepherd is telling us to focus on Him. We have to realize God is our source of strength; we have to research our priorities, and recognize our perspectives.

Ephesians 5:18 KJV 1900

And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

Contentment is growing in Christ. Complacency is self-satisfaction even when surrounded by dangers. Contentment is not complacency. And FYI, complacency is not found in the Bible.