Words are powerful, don’t you think? It’s fascinating how the mention of a single word can bring pictures to mind, stir within you simple feelings or strong emotions, and even trigger a memory from years ago! And all that happens the second the word is spoken!

What comes to mind when you think of the word “dwell”? For me it brings an inner sense of peace. It is a word that describes the opposite of being hurried. It implies that the roots of my soul are going to grow deeply in a particular place. I’m sure by now you’re wondering if we’re going to “dwell” on this thought forever or move on! So let me explain.

This morning I read Psalm 91 for the billionth time. (If it’s not already posted on your bathroom mirror, you might want to think about it!) If you’re not already familiar with it, here’s a link:  https://www.bible.com/bible/3034/PSA.91.BSB

As I neared the last few verses, I realized that one of the bold faced themes of this psalm is covenant! Covenants, of course, are agreements between two parties. For instance, marriages are covenants. And just as we say vows that we pledge to uphold when we marry, so in Psalm 91, God described how He was actively fulfilling His part of the covenant He made with His people. 

From the first verse to the last, God is showing who and what He wants to be for us: Our refuge, our trustworthy God, our rescuer, our faithful protector, our deliverer, our Savior… 

Sprinkled throughout the psalm you also find hints as to our part in this covenant. The contrast between God’s part and ours is amazing!  Our job? We DWELL! Just dwell…sit down and abide in the secret place of our Most High God, lingering whenever possible. We trust! We choose the Lord for our dwelling place, and let our roots go down deep there. We set our hearts on Him and remain devotedly faithful to the Lover of our soul. Even as we go about our day, our thoughts often wander home to our dwelling place. 

And finally, we know His name! That goes far beyond knowing what name God goes by! I think the Amplified Classic version of Psalm 91:14 brings wonderful understanding to what that phrase implies. It reads, “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him on high, because he knows and understands My name [has a personal knowledge of My mercy, love, and kindness–trusts and relies on Me, knowing I will never forsake him, no, never].” (Don’t you love that?)

For some, especially in these crazy times, life is merely existing…sometimes just a few rungs up the ladder from surviving! Thankfully, we can do so much more than simply exist. We can dwell! We can dwell in the restful, secret place of the Lord’s presence, and experience what King David knew to be true: God’s goodness and unfailing love pursuing us all the days of our lives. 

Where do you dwell?

Lord, people often say that “Home is where the heart is.”  Create in me a heart that calls Your dwelling place home. May your presence always be the most sought after place of my heart.