Living from a Place of Victory
David was living in fear for a minute, but remembering the Lord as his Shepherd, David headed back to truth.
This isn’t just poetic comfort. It’s a powerful reality. David isn’t saying, “I hope I’ll be with God one day.” He’s declaring something that’s already true — and something every believer can live from: we are already with the Lord, I AM is with us, and He is in us and us in Him, Christ already — forever.
As believers, we don’t live trying to reach God’s presence. We live in it. More than that, His presence, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, lives in us. This is the foundation of our identity in Christ. We’re not distant; we’re not disconnected. We are home now and for eternity.
Dwell: Returning to What’s Already Yours
The word dwell in Psalm 23:6 means to return, abide, and settle. David knew that life had a way of pulling him in different directions — fear, enemies, failure. But his heart always returned to where he belonged: with the Shepherd.
This wasn’t about a temporary visit. David’s life was rooted in God’s presence. And because of that, he could declare with confidence:
“I have dwelt, I dwell, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”
The verb is in the perfect tense — it’s done—past, present, future — all secure.
And here’s what’s even more amazing: not only do we dwell with God, but God dwells in us.
We Are the Temple of the Holy Spirit
“Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” 1 Corinthians 6:19
This isn’t symbolic. It’s real. The same God who filled the temple in the Old Testament now fills you. His presence isn’t far off — it’s in you.
You don’t have to go searching for God’s presence. If you’re in Christ, you carry it. You are His dwelling place. His Spirit lives in you, guides you, strengthens you, and assures you that you are never alone.
The House: You Belong and You Are Complete
David spoke of dwelling in the house of the LORD — the place of belonging, of family, of unbroken fellowship. You don’t have to question whether you belong in God’s house. If you’re in Christ, you’re not a guest — you’re family.
Accepted in the Beloved
“To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.” Ephesians 1:6
You’re not barely making it in. You’re not on probation. You are fully, completely, and eternally accepted in Christ. God isn’t waiting for you to measure up — He’s already brought you in. His house is your house.
Complete in Christ
“For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power.” Colossians 2:9-10
There’s nothing missing. Nothing lacking. In Christ, you are complete. Everything you need — peace, strength, hope, purpose — it’s already yours because it’s in Him, and He’s in you.
The LORD: The Shepherd Who Lives in You
David called God YHWH, the great I AM, the eternal, covenant-keeping God. He wasn’t talking about a distant deity. He was talking about a God who was present, faithful, and personal.
And here’s the full picture: Jesus is YHWH.
He said in John 8:58, “Before Abraham was, I AM.”
And in John 10:11, “I am the Good Shepherd.”
Jesus didn’t just walk with David. He walks with you. More than that — He lives in you.
Christ in You, the Hope of Glory
“Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:27
This isn’t future tense. It’s now. The glory of God isn’t something you’re waiting for — it’s something that’s alive in you through Christ.
Christ Lives in and Through Us
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20
This is the heart of it all. You’re not just trying to live for Christ. Christ is living through you. His life is your life. His power is your strength. His presence is your reality.
You dwell in Him. He dwells in you.
Forever: Living from Eternal Security
The word forever in Psalm 23:6 means more than endless time. It means eternal, unbroken, immeasurable. It’s not just about what happens after death. It’s about a life that’s anchored now and stretches into eternity.
You are not working toward something uncertain. You are living from something finished.
Seated in Heavenly Places
“And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:6
You’re not trying to climb your way into God’s presence. You’re already seated there. That’s your position — secure, settled, victorious.
The Bottom Line: You Live From Victory
You are seated in heavenly places — now.
You are accepted in the Beloved — fully.
You are complete in Christ — nothing lacking.
Christ lives in you — the hope, the power, the glory.
You are the temple of the Holy Spirit — God’s presence in you.
You dwell in God, and He dwells in you — forever.
You don’t live toward victory. You live from it.
You don’t strive for acceptance. You live as accepted.
You don’t build your identity on performance. You build it on what God has already done.
When David says, “I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever,” it’s not just a future hope. It’s a present reality. One you can live in, walk in, and rest in — every single day.
I Dwell, I Am, Forever Now
I do not chase what I already hold,
Nor wander far from streets of gold.
The house of God is not just there,
It lives in me, it fills the air.
I will not climb to seek His face,
I'm seated now in His embrace.
Not striving, not a distant guest,
In Christ alone, my soul finds rest.
I am the temple, He the flame,
His Spirit whispers my true name.
No veil, no wall, no space between,
In Him, I'm found. In Him, I'm seen.
The Shepherd walks, but more than near,
He lives within — no room for fear.
His rod and staff, my strength, my guide,
I dwell in Him, and He inside.
Not someday, not a dream ahead,
But here, right now — the old is dead.
Forever isn’t just to come,
It's now, it's full, it's all in One.
I have dwelt, I dwell today,
And evermore in Him I stay.
No lack, no loss, no drifting far,
I am His home — that's who we are.
Forever means unbroken thread,
From cross, to life, to raised from dead.
Christ in me, the hope, the light,
I live from Him, and walk in might.
So hear my song, my soul’s decree:
I’m not alone — He lives in me.
I will dwell, I do, I am —
Forever held in I AM’s hand.
Thank you, Austin, for a great post on Living from the Place of Victory. I especially loved the emphasis on "our identity in Christ. Powerful. I encourage everyone to subscribe, follow, and read his posts carefully. Ponder the truths he writes about and your faith will be deepened and the truth will set you free.