Printed from: https://www.cmf.org.uk/doctors/devotion/?id=devotion&day=30&month=12
I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. Ps 23:6
Shepherds sometimes keep a hand-reared lamb or a favourite old sheep close to their own home. The Good Shepherd himself wants us to be with him, where he is (Jn 17:24), and is preparing a `house' for us `that where I am, there you may be also' (Jn 14:3). In his revelation John saw the Lord Jesus as a lamb slain, adding: `The lamb in the midst of the throne will be their Shepherd, and will guide them` (Rev 7:17). While earth-bound, we shall still be prone to wander, but the ultimate fold, our final goal, is to be in his chosen presence for ever.
Yet `for ever' starts now: we can be very much aware of the enfolding of the Lord in some of the earthly `homes' that are in a real way `the house of the Lord'. Some tell thrilling stories of his provision, even of bricks and mortar. Many believers world wide, however, have no home of their own, yet they gather in worship and witness as `his people and the sheep of his pasture'. We must not neglect such opportunities of fellowship (Heb 10:24-25). Particularly in their junior years, hospital fellowships (though not to be neglected either) do not replace them. We need the mixed fellowship of families and the wider church to keep our outlook and understanding balanced. On the other hand we must beware being so immersed in local church activities as to neglect the particular territory that the Shepherd has given us in the hospital. `Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care' (1 Pet 5:2 NIV). To help a lost sheep to head for home is a privilege not to be missed.
Those who have known the Shepherd's faithfulness in this world have absolute confidence on entering the homeward run, that they are heading for the everlasting `house of the Lord'. We look to our meeting with the Chief Shepherd in humble hope, trusting to his goodness and mercy, not to our own efforts. None of us knows when that will be, but let us echo the prayer in Hebrews 13:20-21 (AV), of one who loved the Shepherd and sought to be his faithful follower:
The God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for every and ever.
Good Shepherd, may I sing Thy praise
Within Thy house for ever.
H W Baker
Further reading: Ps 100. Jn 10:27-30
JG
