When I lived in Malaysia, my husband and I planted multiple churches and put local pastors over each church to lead it. We knew the best leader of a church was a local pastor for they knew the culture and the people. But we ourselves led a local church as well called The Ambassador’s International Church. Our church had both locals and ex-pats, people living in Malaysia for work. It was a beautiful tapestry of color and cultures because truly the nations were in that room every week as we worshipped and prayed together. I will never forget those days, I was too immature to appreciate what God had given me, but as I reflect on them my gratitude is overwhelming.

I share that with you, because for over a week now the Lord has been having me meditate on Psalm 23. A friend of mine, Sarah even bought me a stone that is quarried from the mountains east of the ancient city Ephesus and it has Psalm 23 etched on it. The Lord was speaking to me this morning about why goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our life and it is not so we can experience it and walk away from the Lord, but so we can become dwellers in God’s house. “Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”

Many people believe we will go through suffering, but I believe we already are suffering; others believe things are getting darker, but I believe we have experienced the pinnacle of darkness already; most have been taught we don’t want to be left behind, but I believe we are supposed to be left behind; and most are pursuing goodness and mercy, prosperity and increase, but I believe if we seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness all these things we desire will be given to us. So, today, as I meditate on Psalm 23, I believe we are about to find goodness and mercy right on our heels and it is going to cause us to become dwellers in the house of the Lord, not ones who flee His presence and His people.