Dwell in the Land

Posted in Daily Meditation on 06. Sep, 2009

brookSomething about Psalm 37:3 caught my eye last night. I felt like the Holy Spirit told me to read that chapter, and this particular part stood out.

Trust in the LORD and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. (New International Version)

Most of the other translations say something a little different, like:

Trust in the LORD, and do good;
Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. (New King James Version)

Or

Trust in the LORD and do good;
Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. (New American Standard)

I like the first version because of the mental image I had when I read it. I pictured myself as a shepherd in a pasture inside the land of Israel, looking out at the border of our land. I can see the pastures in the distance outside of our property. They look lush and good for grazing. The thought occurs to me that I could take my sheep and goats just a little ways beyond our borders and let them feed on something fresh and new.

Then the Word of the Lord comes to me: Dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. SAFE pasture. Then I realize that I’d be taking unnecessary risk out there beyond our borders. There is no protection. I would be outside of my protected territory. I could be attacked and no one would defend me.

It may look good, but it’s not safe. It’s not where I am protected. It’s not what God has given me. Now that I think of it, I am grateful for the protection that allows me to graze safely and make a living without enemies swarming in and surrounding me.

God, in His kindness and mercy, directs me to dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. He loves me and He’s trying to protect me. I can choose to take risks and dwell outside of the land He provided. But I feel loved knowing that He’s going out of His way to warn me of the dangers and to encourage me to remain where His provision and safety can be found.

Similar Posts:

  • JP
    nice, i've been meditating in this chapter quite frequently. learning to rest in the Lord. i like your take on enjoying safe pastures. i didn't realize it as i usually read NKJV. what is your understanding of "dwell in the land?" i keep coming back to it. Moses was a dweller in Midian for 40 years and had two sons. also Jer. 29:5,6 talks about building houses, marrying and having children, planting gardens and eating their fruit. Do you think dwelling means to simply settle down and live your life; enjoy it. we tend to be so consumed with the future things God has and miss what's right in our hands right now.
  • Excellent feedback and thoughts, JP. Thanks for leaving comments. I love, love, love blog comments.

    Here's my take: When I "hear" the Lord say, "Dwell in the land", I hear Him saying "dwell where I have placed you at this time." That's the raw and simple statement. Let me elaborate.

    Many of us have desires or callings that are as yet unfulfilled, and we may be tempted to graze in other pastures. That may mean other churches, other home groups, other jobs, other industries, other marriages. But when we are seeking and obeying the Lord, we dwell in the land He has given us for this moment in time. This is where we are safe. This is where we are provided for.

    For example: God has called me to be mentored by an older, more mature man in my church. I am also doing what I can to serve my pastor. I am also walking out some difficulties with my wife. I am also setting aside most pop culture media for this time and allowing room in my heart and mind to meditate on the things of God.

    I am in the middle of this warm, safe place right now. I literally have felt the warmth permeate my being at least once since this began. I know that God has surrounded me with a safe community of relationships and authority to foster growth and love.

    To step outside of this land into the harsh, unprotected realms by suddenly starting up my own business or creating a home group where I can be the authority or any number of other things would be to step out from under my protective covering. I picture the land God has for me surrounded by a bubble-like force-field (now I'm thinking of those Sprint commercials where the lady pops out of her bubble to get better phone service). :)

    But in that bubble, I am so much more covered and protected from attacks and starvation. I am fed and loved and nurtured.

    This may be overly confined to my personal experience, but my point is to say that God has called us each to a land to inhabit and to tend as a steward. Dwell in the land God has you, rather than venturing out in your own strength, pride, and independence.
blog comments powered by Disqus