Psalm 23 ~ I shall return to dwell in the house of the Lord

Psalm 63:4

So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.

Psalm 23

A Psalm of David.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.^{[besides waters of rest]}
3 He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness.^{[in paths of righteousness]}
for his name's sake.

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,waters.^{[valley of deep darkness]}
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.^[Only] goodness and mercy ^{[steadfast love]} shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell.^{[shall return to dwell]} in the house of the Lord
forever.^{[for length of days]}

David lived a confusing life of contrasts. Overlooked son of from a father with eight sons. Hero of Saul. Friend to the court and prince. State Enemy. Mercenary. All the while anointed of God. And still David was empowered by the Holy Spirit to knowledgeably tell us about blessings and the expectation of Grace. Saying I shall return to dwell in the House of the Lord.


Luke 17:11-19

On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance 13 and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” 14 When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed.

 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; 16 and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. 

17 Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?”

 19 And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”


How Do We Approach God -

Matthew Henry points out while the 10 lepers were following the law to avoid human contact, and at the same time they were compelling a weary, travel worn Jesus to answer them. He did answer - and like Abraham and Namaan, action was required of them.

What does our Connection to God, our Father tell us -

One lone Samaritan stopped in verse 15. He understood to find the Source of his Healing. The healed man is in true understanding Jesus is Master. And in returning to Jesus, the clean, healed man is praised by Jesus Christ Himself for being unique. Raised above the status of sojourner. Not just along for the path. Deliberate. Faith has made him well and his path is established.

Wanting the Glory of God to be part of our lives -

David would understand the leper. So many of our Psalms come from David abiding as a shepherd in the field. David like the lepers, expected God to answer. And David wanted the glory of God to be part of his life. When David put forth his hands each day, David considered his position to one approved by God and looked over the responsibilities God gave him.

We all have a path to accomplish -

Like the clean, healed man they both had a path to accomplish. It would be easy to see David, being anointed as a child, lived a life of gratitude. If we look at what the parable can bring us today, we see very possibly like David the clean, healed man had much to look forward to return to.

Building ourselves in God -

Looking each day to find the day sufficient, giving God thanks, letting the troubles of today be for today. God tells him take the high path, his plans are within God's will, Faith in God makes hope, love create a well path. Gratitude enabling us to forward.

2 Timothy 1:7
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

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