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IN GOD’S HOUSE FOREVER
(5/15)
I shall dwell in the house of God all my whole life long…(Psalm 23:6)
Translators wrestle with getting the right word, and this passage is no exception. The traditional King James proclaims “forever” while the New Revised affirms “my whole life long.” Both translations are important. “Forever” reminds me of “infinity and beyond,” the exclamation of Buzz Lightyear from “Toy Story.” There is no end to God’s love: the One who loved us into life will companion us into eternity.
There is no beginning or end to God’s care for us and all creation. “My whole life long” points care in this world. God’s care encompasses me in his life from conception to death. We can assume eternity as well, but one life at a time is enough!
“I shall live in the house of God” reminds me of Jacob’s exclamation when he awakens from this dream of a ladder of angels, “God was in this place – and I did not know it.” Then he calls the place, “Beth-El,” or “house of God,” suggesting that every place can become the house of God.
For the Jewish people who heard these words, this may have meant that although the Jerusalem Temple uniquely invited people to experience God’s presence, God is present everywhere. Every meal is the holy of holies, every bedroom a place of divine rest, every classroom and laboratory a place of revelation.
We are away from our beloved church sanctuaries and we yearn to return home to our temples of faith. Yet, God is present on Zoom worship service, life streaming, in evening vespers and morning prayer, in online classes, and wherever we gather. Let us affirm that God’s dwells with us and we dwell with God wherever we are. Thanks be to God.
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Thank you for being present in each moment of our lives. Thank you for making this time and place holy. Thank you for making our homes sanctuaries, our gardens like Eden, and our lakes and seashore Galilee. Amen.
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Bruce Epperly is a Cape Cod pastor, professor, and author of over 50 books including FAITH IN A TIME OF PANDEMIC and GOD ONLINE: A MYSTIC’S GUIDE TO THE INTERNET
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