God's Pursuing Love: Dwelling in His Presence

Psalm 23 is a passage that has comforted and guided countless people through every season of life, and today we come to its final verse, reflecting on the journey we’ve taken through these six weeks. The psalm begins with the Lord as our Shepherd—Yahweh, the Creator, who intimately cares for every need. He restores our souls in ways no one else can, offering a rest and healing that is unique and complete. He leads us, not from behind like a butcher, but from the front, identifying with our humanity, guiding us through every circumstance, and inviting us to approach Him with confidence, even in our weakness.

Even as we walk through the darkest valleys, the heart of the matter is not the darkness itself, but the presence of the Shepherd. God does not always remove us from hardship, but He leads us through it, providing nourishment and refreshment even in the valley. At His table, we find an inexhaustible supply—His provision, comfort, and grace are always more than enough, and we are called to reflect that overflowing goodness to others.

The final verse, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever,” is richer than it first appears. The word “follow” in Hebrew is vigorous, more like “pursue” or “chase.” God’s goodness and faithful love are not passive; they actively pursue us, even when we stray or are tempted to “bolt.” Like a shepherd who never gives up on his sheep, God’s love is relentless, picking us up again and again, even when we doubt or misunderstand His ways.

David, who wrote this psalm, knew what it was to be pursued by enemies, but his deepest longing was not just for deliverance, but to dwell in the presence of God—to gaze on His beauty and seek Him in His temple. This is not just a future hope for heaven, but a present reality: God desires to dwell with us, both individually and as a community. We are now the temple where God’s Spirit lives, and He longs to meet with us, to refresh us with His presence, and to empower us to carry His love wherever we go.

May we cultivate a life attentive to His presence, confident in His pursuing love, and eager to dwell with Him all our days.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. God’s Love Actively Pursues Us God’s goodness and mercy are not passive qualities that simply trail behind us; they are active forces that pursue, chase, and even “hunt” us down with intent to bless and restore. Even when we stray, doubt, or try to run from Him, His love is relentless, always seeking to bring us back into His care. This pursuit is rooted in His covenantal faithfulness, not our performance. [61:53]
• 2. The Presence of God Transforms Every Valley The valleys of life—those dark, uncertain, or painful seasons—are not defined by their difficulty, but by the presence of the Shepherd who walks with us. Even in the midst of hardship, God provides nourishment, comfort, and guidance, turning places of fear into places of refreshment. Our confidence is not in the absence of trouble, but in the nearness of God. [52:54]
• 3. Dwelling with God Is Both Present and Future The promise to “dwell in the house of the Lord forever” is not only about a future hope in heaven, but also about experiencing God’s presence throughout our lives. David’s longing was to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and seek Him daily, finding safety and delight in His presence. We are invited to make God’s presence our home now, cultivating a life that seeks and enjoys Him. [71:22]
• 4. Community and Solitude Are Both Pathways to God’s Presence God delights to dwell with His people, both when we gather as a community and when we are alone with Him. Whether in a small group, a prayer meeting, or quiet solitude, His presence is available and transformative. Each of us is called to be attentive to how and where we most deeply encounter God, and to make space for Him in every setting. [73:38]
• 5. Our Identity as God’s Dwelling Place Shapes Our Mission We are not just individuals seeking God; together, we are being built into a dwelling where God lives by His Spirit. This identity calls us to be good stewards of His presence, to listen for His voice, and to allow His life to flow through us in everyday, often unspectacular, ways. Our mission is to carry His presence into the world, confident that His goodness and mercy will follow us all our days. [77:57]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [02:49] - Announcements and Community Life
• [05:59] - Prayer for Denise and Opening Worship
• [09:00] - Psalm 23 Series Recap
• [12:30] - The Lord as Our Shepherd
• [16:00] - He Restores My Soul
• [20:00] - He Leads Me in Righteousness
• [24:00] - God’s Presence in the Valley
• [28:00] - The Table in the Presence of Enemies
• [32:00] - Psalm 23 in Life and Death
• [36:00] - Personal Story: The 2003 Blackout
• [45:00] - The Pursuing Love of God
• [51:00] - Reflections from W. Phillip Keller
• [57:00] - Dwelling in the House of the Lord
• [72:31] - Experiencing God’s Presence
• [75:29] - The Church as God’s Dwelling
• [79:29] - Prayer and Closing Blessing

Bible Reading

Psalm 23 (ESV) — > 1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
> 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.
> He leads me beside still waters.
> 3 He restores my soul.
> He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
> 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
> I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
> your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
> 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
> you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
> 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
> and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Psalm 27:4-5 (ESV) — > 4 One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after:
> that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
> to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.
> 5 For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble;
> he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
> he will lift me high upon a rock.

Ephesians 2:19-22 (ESV) — > 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
> 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,
> 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.
> 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

Observation Questions

1. In Psalm 23:6, what does the word “follow” actually mean in the original Hebrew, and how is it different from our usual understanding? ([01:01:53])
2. According to the sermon, what was David’s deepest longing as expressed in Psalm 27:4-5? ([01:11:22])
3. How does Ephesians 2:19-22 describe the church and individual believers in relation to God’s presence? ([01:17:57])
4. What are some ways the sermon described God’s presence being experienced both in community and in solitude? ([01:13:38])

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says God’s goodness and mercy “pursue” us, not just passively follow. What does it mean for God’s love to actively chase after us, especially when we stray or doubt? ([01:01:53])
2. David wanted to “dwell in the house of the Lord” not just in the future, but now. What does it look like to experience God’s presence as a present reality, not just a future hope? ([01:11:22])
3. Ephesians 2:19-22 says we are being built together as God’s dwelling place. How does this shape the way we see ourselves and our church community? ([01:17:57])
4. The sermon mentioned that valleys and hard times are transformed by the presence of the Shepherd. How does God’s presence change the way we experience difficult seasons? ([52:54])

Application Questions

1. The sermon described God’s love as relentless, pursuing us even when we try to “bolt” or run away. Can you think of a time when you tried to distance yourself from God, but He kept pursuing you? What did that look like? ([01:01:53])
2. When you are in a “valley” or hard season, what helps you become aware of God’s presence with you? Is there a specific practice or reminder that helps you remember He is near? ([52:54])
3. The sermon said that God’s table is always open and His supply is inexhaustible. Is there an area in your life where you feel like you are running on empty? How might you come to God’s table for refreshment this week? ([59:29])
4. David’s longing was to “gaze on the beauty of the Lord.” What does it look like for you to seek God’s presence in your daily life? Are there ways you can make more space for Him, either alone or with others? ([01:11:22])
5. The sermon talked about experiencing God’s presence both in community (like small groups or prayer meetings) and in solitude. Which setting do you find it easier to connect with God? Is there one you want to grow in? ([01:13:38])
6. Ephesians 2 says we are being built together as God’s dwelling place. How does knowing that God lives in and among us change the way you approach church, small group, or even your family? ([01:17:57])
7. The sermon encouraged us to be “good stewards” of God’s presence and to let His life flow through us in everyday, often unspectacular ways. What is one simple, practical way you can carry God’s love to someone this week? ([01:23:13])