ResideSample

What does it mean to reside in God? A residence is a dwelling, a home. In Psalm 23:6, King David says, "Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." 

This verse is taken from the famous Psalm that begins with "The Lord is my shepherd..." A shepherd moves around with the flock. They didn't always stay in one place. The locality wasn't important in this picture that David painted of his relationship with God. It is about the posture of the heart.

We have all heard the common, kitschy phrase, "Home is where the heart is." Maybe you've seen it embroidered on something or in a frame on someone's mantle. But there's truth to it: If you can learn to make a home in God's love, you have a safe place to find refuge, wherever you might find yourself, in any locality or in any given situation.

When David mentions "dwelling in the house of the Lord forever," he's making an intentional choice to consistently live in a state of awareness of God's presence and importance. 

And, creating a place for God's presence to dwell became a bit of a family business for King David. His son Solomon built the temple of Jerusalem, described in detail in 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles. The temple, built with immaculate detail and care, speaks to the importance they placed on God's presence. 

We can do the same in our lives: We can make our house God's house. With the recent pandemic and lockdowns, we've all spent a lot more time at home. More than ever, it's important that our home is a place where God's peace can reside.

One of the most effective ways we can do that is through worship. It's no surprise that the etymology of the word worship is just worth + ship. Worshipping something or someone is simply expressing what it is worth to you.

When you worship God at home, you are choosing to fill your home with the peace, love, and joy of God. You are giving God's presence a place of worth in your life, giving Him a place to dwell in your lifestyle. 

Worship changes the atmosphere in your home. Take some time to worship at home today and see how it creates good vibes in your house and good virtues in your heart.