The Lord is My Shepherd VBS Comes To A Close

Twelve weeks ago our youth group started Summer Celebration (big-kid Vacation Bible School) with a joyful, precious statement: The Lord is my Shepherd. Last week we closed with: I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.


The first is in present tense. The second is in future tense. The Lord IS, right now, my Shepherd. And someday, I’m going to dwell in the house of the Lord forever.


The words “house of the Lord” actually have a larger meaning than we think. Today we often hear those words and think about the church building. We’re “in the house of the Lord.” But in David’s time especially, it meant the family of God, being in His household, His flock.


In just six verses, Psalm 23 walks us through a full year in the life of a shepherd and his sheep. If anyone knew the timeline and needs of a flock: they would spend winter and spring in their home pasture, then spend summer in the mountains before coming back down fat and sassy for autumn and another winter. I love that picture of going full-circle in the loving care of the shepherd as he provides and cares for his favorite animals.


Think about everything the sheep have gone through in that year. They’ve been fed, cleaned, pesticided, watered, walked, rested, and loved beyond measure. They’re closer to the shepherd than ever before. They have absolutely no reason to willingly leave the pasture because everything they need for a beautiful life is there.


Picture the sheep coming home from their long journey to the mountaintops and back and standing at the fence line, talking to their neighbors.


“You wouldn’t believe where we’ve been!"

"Have you SEEN the green pastures in the mountains?"

"We were so lovingly guided and cared for."

"The shepherd protected us from some very scary predators!"

"And here we are, back home with him, and he’s never going to let us go.”


David was doing the same thing when he wrote the closing verse of Psalm 23 - he was bragging about how good God is. He was thinking about every good thing God had done for him and how spoiled he was by his Shepherd. There was no reason for David to ever go anywhere else because he was perfectly content in God’s flock.


This is how Christians should walk and talk every day of their lives after they get saved. We’re blessed beyond measure here on earth, but it’s nothing like what we’ll experience in heaven. And the Bible only gives us a taste of what it’s going to be like:


And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. Revelation 21:4


And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass. Revelation 21:21


And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. Revelation 22:5


In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. John 14:2–3


And then it’s our responsibility to share these truths with the sheep in all the pastures around us who don’t know our shepherd. That’s why we’re not taken to heaven as soon as we’re saved. We’re called to share Him with everyone! We’re now Ambassador Sheep, sharing the love of our Shepherd with sheep everywhere.


How does knowing heaven is real change the way you live now? Shouldn't it?

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