Permanent Address

Welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread. I'm Kirsten Holmberg, and I titled our reading, permanent address. Not long ago, we moved to a new home just a short distance from our old one. Despite the close proximity, we still needed to load all of our belongings onto a moving truck because of the timing of the financial transactions. Between the sale and the purchase, our furnishings stayed on the truck and our family found temporary lodging.

During that time, I was surprised to discover how at home I felt despite the displacement from our physical home, simply because I was with those I love most, my family. For part of his life, David lacked a physical home. He lived life on the run from King Saul. As David was God's appointed successor to the throne, Saul perceived him as a threat and sought to kill him.

David fled his home and slept wherever he found shelter. Though he had companions with him, David's most earnest desire was to dwell in the house of the Lord, to enjoy permanent fellowship with him. Jesus is our constant companion, our sense of home no matter where we are. He's with us in our present troubles and even prepares a place for us to live with him forever. Despite the uncertainty and change we might experience as citizens of this earth, we can dwell permanently in our fellowship with him every day and everywhere.

Today's Our Daily Bread devotional scripture reading is from Psalm 27 verses 1 through 6. My heart will not fear. The war break out against me, even then I will be confident. Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me. At his sacred tent, I will sacrifice with shouts of joy.

I will sing and make music to the Lord. Let's pray. Loving God, thank you for being our permanent address. Help us to recognize you as our most faithful companion who's with us wherever we go. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Today's encouragement was provided by Our Daily Bread Ministries.