2 - The 23rd Psalm
PSALM 23
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou prepares a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.” THE SHEPHERD
Perhaps of all portions of Scripture, the Twenty-third Psalm is the most universally known and loved. It is treasured in all lands where the gospel has been preached. In reality the Twenty-second, the Twenty-third, and the Twenty-fourth Psalms form an inseparable trinity. These three Psalms present our blessed Lord in a most striking manner. In Psalms 22:1-31, He is the Good Shepherd, Who gave His life for the sheep; in Psalms 23:1-6, He is the Great Shepherd, Who, in his resurrection glory, leads His sheep; and in Psalms 24:1-10, He is the Chief Shepherd, Who is coming again in glory to gather His sheep into His heavenly fold.
I am sure more able scholars have given beautiful expositions of this portion of God’s Word long before my meager endeavors were ever realized. But God in His grace has allowed me to dip my little cup into this exhaustless fountain and my own soul has been refreshed. With the humble prayer in my heart that it might prove to be a portion of the blessing to others that it has been in my own life, I send it out. The exposition was first delivered as a sermon and then presented over radio over a special mid-west and Rocky Mountain network, on the program known as the Back to Bible Broadcast. It was mimeographed in abbreviated form and was used of the Lord as a blessing to thousands. It is therefore through multiplied requests of many friends that it has been enlarged and is now put into booklet form with the earnest prayer that it might be used of God in a wider way to bring glory to our Lord and Shepherd, Jesus Christ.
Some who read these pages are in sick rooms; some are lonely; some crushed with grief and loss; others are poor; and some misunderstood. Some are rich and lured by strange voices; others are discouraged and feel that no one loves or cares. Some are young and cannot find their way; some are old and tired and way-worn - but all have need of the Shepherd’s tender care. So this book is sent forth with the sincere prayer that it might meet the particular need in the life of each one who reads it.
I am humbly grateful for the ready acceptance afforded the first edition of this little booklet, and for the fact that hundreds of lives have been blessed, hearts encouraged, and souls have been saved through its brief ministry. We earnestly pray that this enlarged and fourth edition ay be used of the Lord in even a greater way for His own glory.
There can be no doubt as to who wrote this Psalm, for David’s autograph is on every verse. I have often wondered where these words were first sung. Was it as the sheep grazed on the hillside, or was it sung to the pouting king on the throne? It may have been, but personally, I believe the 23rd Psalm was written in the latter years of David’s life. There is a strength, maturity, and depth in this Psalm, which must have been born of experience. These are the words of one who has suffered deeply, tasted many a bitter cup, and known a lonely life; and had often been “compassed about” with enemies. So, “David the King did not forget David, the Shepherd boy.” In these words is blended the mature experience of manhood with a vivid memory of a boyhood spent among the sheep. The author regrets that he cannot personally acknowledge and thank every one who has helped in the writing of this book. Through a number of years of evangelistic work, he has had access to the libraries of many preachers of the gospel, and in every case, he has searched their volumes, seeking new thoughts on this precious Psalm. There was no thought at the time of ever publishing the message and therefore no effort was made to keep a record of the source of the material studied. The Shepherd (Psalms 23:1-6)
If I were a lawyer pleading the case of the Divine inspiration of the Bible before a court, I think I would present my case something like this: “Gentlemen of the jury, I rest my case entirely on the Twenty-third Psalm.” Where is it possible to find more beautiful language, more fitting illustrations, more infinite love and more livable reality in such a few words as we have in this Psalm? You can exhaust all the adjectives in the most descriptive language spoken by men, and yet you have only touched the fringe of the contents of this Psalm. It is the gospel in miniature. Yet, it is a Psalm of only six short verses, but the very breath of God can be felt in these words:
“THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD”
These are among the first words from the Bible that we learned as little children at mother’s knees, and often the last words that fall from the parched lips of a dying child of God. This is both a confession of weakness and a declaration of trust. I am weak; therefore, I need a shepherd. I am safe, because I have a shepherd. I need a shepherd, because “all we like sheep have gone astray.” I have a shepherd because “we have turned every one to his own way,” and God has sent His Son to “seek and to save that which is lost.” He found me. I trust the Shepherd because “the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” “For ye were as sheep going astray but are returned unto the Shepherd.”
“THE LORD is my Shepherd” My friend, you must be one of God’s sheep before this is true concerning you. We read of the relationship that exists between the shepherd and the sheep in the tenth chapter of John. We notice from this chapter:
“He calleth His own sheep by name … He goeth before them, and the sheep follow Him, for they know His voice … They know not the voice of strangers … I am the door of the sheep … By me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out and find pasture… I am come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the Good Shepherd: the Good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling and not the Shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth… The hireling fleeth because he is an hireling and careth not for the sheep. I am the Good Shepherd and know My sheep, and am known of mine… I lay down My life for the sheep.”
We notice here that God marks His sheep. He arks them in their ears (“My sheep hear My voice”), and in their feet (“they follow Me”). You can tell to whom a sheep belongs by the shepherd it follows. Oh, what a living contradiction some of our lives have proved to be. We call ourselves “God’s sheep,” and yet are following strange voices. The eastern shepherd loved the sheep and the sheep loved the shepherd. He was usually the owner of the sheep or the son of the owner and as such had a personal interest in the sheep. The hireling fled when danger came (John 10:12), but not the shepherd. He “giveth his own life for the sheep” (John 10:11). Incidentally, the shepherd leads the sheep; (he walks before them and the sheep follow him) but a hireling drives the sheep. So you see, it makes a great difference who the shepherd is, in these times of danger, sorrow, grief and testings, what a wonderful consolation it is to know that “the LORD is the Shepherd.” He stands between e and the enemy of my soul. Your salvation and your safety does not depend upon what you are, but what He is. So, trembling heart, look up! Look away from self, and up to the Saviour! Your sorrows and troubles have been multiplied by looking at difficulties, surroundings, your enemies, and your own weakness. Now, cease from all this. Look no more at the “walled cities and giants, the dark valleys, and the enemies,” but for every look at self, take ten looks at Christ. Think of the love, might, and wisdom of your Shepherd. Meditate no ore upon your sins, your failures, and your difficulties, but rather upon the all-sufficiency of Christ. This Psalm is great because it dwells little upon man and much upon God. Read it again and emphasize each “He.” See what “He” is doing. He provides, He restores, He leads, He convoys, He comforts, He heals, He anoints, e fills, He escorts, and He leads home.
Unbelief puts circumstances between us and Christ, but faith puts Christ between us and circumstances. Unbelief fixes its gaze upon men, and things, and likelihoods, possibilities, and surroundings. Faith is not concerned with these, but is fixed steadily upon “the Lord”.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus;
Look full in His wonderful face - And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace.
- H. H. Lemmel
“THE Lord” - this is printed in small capital letters, and wherever that is the case, we know that it stands for the mystic word, “JEHOVAH.’ ‘JEHOVAH’ means the living One, or the self-existent Being, the “I AM,” He Who was, and Who is, and is to come. Who inhabiteth Eternity, Who hath life in Himself; all others wane, and change, and grow old; He only is unchangeably the same. The mighty being is our Shepherd! He Himself says, “I am the good Shepherd.” Now combine these two - the august word for the Everlasting God and the tender word for the Saviour; and we have a worthy title for our Lord, ‘JEHOVAH-JESUS.’ Let us read it into our Psalm, and say with a new appreciation of its meaning, “JEHOVAH-JESUS is my Shepherd.” What need can we have that cannot be met with His twofold nature? As JEHOVAH, He has all power; as JESUS, all sympathy. As JEHOVAH, He sustains all worlds, as JESUS, “He ever liveth to make intercession for us.” As JEHOVAH, he is sovereign Lord of all; as JESUS, He still treads the pathways of this world, by our side, whispering softly and sweetly in our fear not, little flock.” (Meyer). In John 10:3 we read, “He calleth His own sheep by name.” It has been demonstrated many times that the eastern shepherd actually knows the sheep by name. It is interesting to note how the sheep learn their own names. The shepherd makes a new lamb of his flock an object of his special care and attention. He carries it in his arms, loves it, fondles it and whispers its chosen name in its ear over and over again. Then he places it on the floor of the fold and calls its name. It runs to his side and he loves it and rewards it for responding. This is repeated many times. Finally, he places it among the other sheep in the flock and then calls its name. It runs to his side and he again rewards it with a lump of sugar or a sprig of tender grass. So we learn to distinguish the voice of our Shepherd by many hours of intimate fellowship with Him, fleeting hours in the prayer closet, sweet hours of feasting on His word, and precious hours sitting at his feet listening to His voice.
There are so many voices today that would lead us astray. The only way we can remain true to our Lord is to have such close, intimate fellowship with Him that we can distinguish His voice from the other voices that call. The voice of worldly pleasure, earthly gain, popularity, amusement and self-advancement, constantly sound an appealing invitation in our ear. Oh, that we might be in such close fellowship with Him that we may not be deceived by other voices.
“The Lord IS my Shepherd”
Grasp the present tense of God’s precious Word. He is NOW my Shepherd. He is a PRESENT Saviour, a LIVING Christ, and our COMING King. “The Lord IS my Shepherd.” Is He yours? I like it when God says, “IS.” That is something for the present, something real, something to which I can hold. “Is my Shepherd” - not “was” nor “shall be” but “is.” ‘Is,” whether I am at home or in Africa. “Is,” on Monday and on Sunday. “Is,” in April and in January. “Is,” whether rich or poor, sick or well, living or dying. “The Lord IS my Shepherd.” Regardless of the trial you face today, the burden you bear, the need you have, or the grief that crushes your heart, nothing can take away the blessed assurance, “The Lord IS my Shepherd.” We have another precious promise in the words. “My grace is sufficient for thee.” Then quit asking God for sufficient grace for your present trial or trouble and thank Him that His grace is sufficient. Open your heart and drink of the fountain of His abundant grace. We sometimes miss the blessing because we keep begging for something God has already granted. We need only the faith to claim it. Remember, my discouraged, doubting friend, that your present circumstances cannot change this blessed relationship - “The Lord is my Shepherd,” “My grace is sufficient for thee.”
I read a few years ago of a preacher whose only child was very ill. He sat by her bedside through the long, weary hours of several days and nights as she waited near death’s door. Finally the angel of death visited the little girl’s room and she was called to be with the Lord. It was Saturday afternoon when the preacher returned from the funeral with a heavy, crushed heart. There had been no opportunity for him to prepare a message for his Sunday morning service during the illness of his child. Some of his deacons came and suggested that he not attempt to preach on the morrow, but he said, “I have been preaching to you of a Saviour Who is sufficient for every trial and test, and I must prove it now myself.” Then he locked himself in his study and fell on his face before God, and with tears running down his cheeks, asked God for a message of hope and comfort to give his people the following morning. It seemed that his mind was blank; he could think only of the little darling who now rested in the arms of Jesus. Finally, in distress he began to pray, “Lord, give me sufficient grace; make Your grace sufficient, etc.” He seemed to get no answer to his prayer, and as he rose from his knees, his eyes fell on a motto that had hung for years on his wall, “My grace IS sufficient for thee.” That word “IS” stood out in bold type before him, and he fell on his knees thanking God for the grace that is sufficient. Yes, the Lord “is.” Is He your Saviour, your Shepherd? Have you received Him into your heart and life as your own personal Saviour? If not, you cannot have the joy, assurance, comfort and blessing connected with these blessed words.
“The Lord is MY Shepherd”
He is not a shepherd, but my Shepherd. Is He YOUR Shepherd? The only way this blessed Saviour can help you is for Him to be YOUR shepherd. Is He Yours? Are you His? He may have been your mother’s Shepherd, but is He your Shepherd. He may have been your father’s Shepherd, but is He your Shepherd? My friend, this is in all important question, and it makes an eternity of difference what your answer is, because, The sheep of different Shepherds go to different folds. You had loved ones who died with these words on their lips: “The Lord is my Shepherd,” and they have entered into His heavenly fold. Dear friend, you will never see those precious ones again unless you belong to the same Shepherd. Thank God, you can know Him as your own Shepherd, and He wants to be your Shepherd right now. Won’t you open your heart and receive Him as your Saviour, your Sin-bearer and your Shepherd? A great actor returned to the home of his childhood. On Sunday he was asked to give a recitation at the morning service. The only thing he knew that was at all appropriate for the occasion was the Twenty-third Psalm. With dignified and stately manner, he marched to the platform, and with great ability, recited this Psalm. The audience was swayed with his oratorical power, the raising and lowering of his voice, his appropriate gestures, and perfect articulation. When he had finished, it was with difficulty that they refrained from applause. Truly, it was a masterful performance. When he had been seated, the pastor also recognized another visitor in the service - an aged minister of the gospel, a true veteran of the cross. He slowly arose, and with wavering steps, walked to the platform, and in a trembling voice, he quoted the words of the same Psalm - the same words, and yet so different. There was an air of stately possession and humble finality as he said, “My Shepherd.” His tear-dimmed eyes were fixed on the “heavenlies.” He seemed to be in another realm. The audience was bathed in tears; they sat transfixed, as he slowly walked to his seat. The great actor rose to his feet, and with tears running down his cheeks, exclaimed, “I know the words, but he knows the Shepherd.” Yes, my friend, it makes a great difference if He is your Shepherd or not. These are just meaningless words to you until you have personally appropriated the personal Saviour. Is He your Shepherd? But there is also the thought of belonging here. I belong to Him. Oh, the joy, the delight, and the thrill of it! A new joy will fill your heart and a new victory will mark your life, the moment you realize divine ownership. I am His - my heart, my will, my life, my all - yes, all that is mine is His. Our personal choice is also emphasized here: “My shepherd.” Jesus waits to be appropriated. There must be a personal choice by everyone as to whom he will follow. You can follow the deceitful promptings of your own heart, the blind reasonings of ungodly men, the craftiness of Satan, who is determined upon your destruction, or you can choose “the Lord” as your Shepherd. Wonder of wonders, we choose our own shepherd; we choose whom we will follow. Take Him right now as your Shepherd. There is nothing to hinder you but your own will. Do not wait to inquire if you are worthy to be one of His sheep, but look away from yourself to Him, and see if He is not well qualified to be your Shepherd. The first cry of “mine,” and He is “yours.”
“The Lord is My SHEPHERD”
All that is His is mine - His love, His care, protection and provision. The word “Shepherd” may be translated, “my goer-forth.” Yes, He goes before us. Nothing can happen to the sheep unless it happens to Him. Our Lord is not a hireling who drives us into dangerous places and then flees when danger comes, but He is our “goer-forth,” and will never “leave us nor forsake us.” It is the duty of the shepherd to feed, protect and guard the sheep, even with his own life, if necessary; and when night comes, to count the sheep safely into the fold. What a comfort and consolation, that all through the journey of life, we have the protecting care of the Divine Shepherd, and, when life is ended, He personally counts us into the heavenly fold. The Lord said in John 10:7, “I am the Door of the sheep.” A traveler in the Holy Land was amazed at the flimsy construction of the sheep folds. He asked one of the shepherds if there were not wild animals that might harm the sheep or any enemies that might steal some of them. “Oh, yes, many of them,” he said. “But there is no door to keep them out,” exclaimed the amazed traveler. Perhaps unaware that he was quoting the very words of Jesus, the shepherd said, “I am the door.” He then demonstrated that after all the sheep are safely in the fold, he takes the roll of blankets from his back, lays it on the ground and stretches his own body across the opening in the fence. Thus no enemy could come and devour the sheep without first over-powering the shepherd, and no sheep could stray out of the fold without trampling the shepherd under foot. What a blessed thought! The enemy of our soul would first have to overpower an almighty Christ, a Triune God, before he could harm us. We are the sheep of His fold; He is our Shepherd.
Then there is a note of tragedy here, too. Perhaps some soul will read these words who was once in the fold of fellowship with the Lord, but today has lost the joy of salvation and is far from the shepherd’s companionship. My friend, there is just one way you could get out into the wilderness of sin, and that is to trample the precious Saviour, your Shepherd, underfoot. Can you continue to do that?
“I am the Door” tells us something else. By the door, we enter; and the only entrance into the heavenly fold is through Christ, the Door. All that attempt to come any other way are “thieves and robbers,” and none such shall enter.
If you are a wandering sheep today, I want you to know that Jesus loves you still - he cares. In the parable of the lost sheep He makes it clear that one wandering sheep is of more concern, care and grief to the shepherd than ninety and nine who are in the fold. He is calling for you today. Won’t you return?
I was told by a missionary from the Holy Land that in cases where a sheep was stubborn in its will to wander, the shepherd would sometimes break the leg of that sheep. Then he would carefully bind the broken leg and carry the injured sheep on his shoulder. He would make it a constant object of his tender care, compassion and love. Over and over again he would call its name in its ear and when at last its broken limb was mended, it had lost its desire to wander from the side of the shepherd who had so graciously loved and cared for it.
Amazing grace! I was that wandering sheep. God in His infinite mercy and love broke me. Then, broken in body, discouraged in spirit, and crushed in heart, I nestled on His shoulder and learned the sweet lessons of trust and surrender. Maybe He has so broken you. Remember, dear one, it is not in wrath but in love. Every pain you bear hurts the shepherd’s heart more than yours. Every need you have is an object of His compassion. It is a stroke of divine love that you are laid aside. You were wandering in places of danger, you were rebellious, self-sufficient and in great danger. Now you suffer, crushed and broken. Just nestle in His bosom and learn the precious lessons He would teach you there. Learn again the sound of His voice that you have long missed. Learn again His tender Shepherd care. Just rest in the Lord now, and you will never regret these days of waiting and mending.
It seems strange indeed that “my Shepherd” should be also described as “the Lamb of God.” How can the Shepherd be the Lamb? But what a fitting description of our Lord Jesus this is. Many animals were designed for sacrifice under the old Jewish ceremonial law, but chief among them was the lamb. God had a special claim on lambs and presented His Son as “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” There are certain animals which are good only so long as they live, for instance, the dog. Others have practically no value while they are alive, but have value only after they are dead, such as a pig. But the lamb, or sheep, has value both dead and alive. In life it provides wool for clothing; in death it provides meat for food, its skin for parchment, and gut for music.
Now do you wonder why our Lord is referred to as “the Lamb of God”? He has provided us with the robe of righteousness to enable us to stand in the presence of a holy God. Through His death He has provided us with meat whereby we may eat and live. As His blood was poured out it provided a panacea for sin; and, when we consider the parchment, it is impossible to overlook the Word of God. The Lamb of God is also the Word of God and “my shepherd.”
“I SHALL NOT WANT”
“But why,” you ask, “shall I not want?” He is my Shepherd, I am His sheep; and I can cast all of my cares upon Him. His riches are unsearchable, His power is almighty, His faithfulness is unfailing, and His love is unchanging. A sheep does not worry and fret lest it have no food and shelter, water and protection. It merely depends upon the shepherd. It may be led through barren lands and over mountain wastes; it can see no food, no rest, but it has no care. It trusts the shepherd, knowing he is leading the sheep through hard places to new grazing pastures beyond. Maybe you are in a desert place today, but you can confidently rest, knowing that “He is my Shepherd,” and “casting all my cares upon Him,” “I shall not want.” But you say, “I know He is my Shepherd, but yet I do want.” Your experiences seem to contradict this glad announcement. Perhaps, my friend, you have not by faith appropriated the supply, which He has placed at your disposal; or you may not have made your request known unto Him, with prayer and supplications; or it may be that you have misunderstood your real need, and are asking for something which would do you harm. In one of these directions, you must seek the reason for the differences between your experiences and the victory expressed in these words - “No good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly” (Psalms 84:11).
We need to trust the Shepherd’s wisdom, as well as His might. There is “no want” in the one who lives under the “Shepherd” care of God. It may be that you have been following “afar” and that you are away from His tender care, and so are deaf so His call. Return to Him now, follow close to His side, and you will experience the triumph there is in the words, “I shall not want.” The rest of this wonder Psalm can be placed under these words, “I shall not want.” He does not promise that I shall not want for any of my selfish desires, but I shall never want for that which is for my highest good and His greatest glory.
“I shall not want” for rest, for “He maketh me to lie down.” It is a troubled life in this sinful world and the only rest and peace we can find is in Jesus. In this restless age there is no truth we need to appropriate more than this. As we must have rest for the body, so we must find time for repose, spiritually.
He “maketh me.” It is a loving compulsion. The Good Shepherd says, “I will give you rest.” When He overtakes the wandering sheep He lays it on His shoulder (Luke 15:5). The Master never expects His servant to be always “on the go.” He says, “Rest a while,” and if you are heedless of this kind admonition, He will Himself call you aside a while just to rest. Don’t miss, by complaint, rebellion, bitterness, and doubt, the sweet lessons He has for you in these hours. He can now talk with you and whisper sweet assurance in your ears. Your heart and His heart are thus knit together by a bond of love that you could have in no other way. Thank God for these rich experiences when “He maketh me to lie down.”
Another lesson here. A true shepherd makes his sheep rest after eating. He gives the sheep an opportunity to chew their cud again and again, so they may get the full benefit of what they have been eating. Isn’t it true that these lives of ours are so busy as we run here and there, that we don’t take time to thoroughly masticate what we have received?
Notice where the sheep lie down - “in green pastures” - in the very food they have been eating. Our food is the Word of God, but it is necessary that we not only feed on the Word but that we “lie down in it” - digest it, masticate it. To ‘lie down” is to rest, so to “lie down in green pastures” is to rest in God’s Word. When you have a loved one away from home, or when you are sick and in pain, rest in Psalms 91:1-16. When you have worldly needs and cares, rest in Php 4:19. When sorrow presses hard upon you, mystery surrounds you, enemies assail you, and sickness overtakes you, rest in Romans 8:28. When the wars and troubles of this mad world cause you to tremble, rest in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. When sin would defeat you, rest in Psalms 32:1-11. When in need of help, rest in Psalms 46:1-11. When traveling, rest in Psalms 121:1-8. When troubled and fearful, rest in Psalms 118:1-29. When “things look ‘blue,’” rest in Isaiah 40:1-31. When tempted to do wrong, rest in Psalms 139:1-24. If you are facing a crisis, rest in Psalms 46:1-11. When you are discouraged, rest in Psalms 23:1-6. When business is poor, rest in Psalms 37:1-40. When you are lonely or fearful, rest in Psalms 27:1-14. When you are anxious for dear ones, rest in Psalms 107:1-43. When everything seems to be going from bad to worse, rest in 2 Timothy 3:1-17. When your friends seem to go back on you, rest in 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. If you have been bereaved, rest in 1 Corinthians 15:1-58 and Revelation 21:1-27. When your faith is wavering, rest in Hebrews 11:1-40. When you have sinned, rest in 1 John 1:9. If you have a fear of death, rest in John 11:1-57; John 17:1-26; John 20:1-31; 2 Corinthians 4:1-18; 2 Corinthians 5:1-21; Romans 8:1-39; Revelation 7:1-17; Revelation 21:1-27 and Revelation 22:1-21. When Satan would cause you to doubt your salvation, rest in John 3:16. Lie down in green pastures. But you say, “I don’t have rest; fear clutches my heart, and uncertainty terrifies my soul, and circumstances shadow my life.” His promise is, “He maketh me to lie down” - to rest; and His promise is true, so there must be some inward, personal explanation of your lack of rest.
There are three things essential for rest:
1. Safety - The rest of the flock of sheep would be disturbed by the growl of a wild animal, the bark of a dog, or even the presence of a little child. At the least disturbance they will huddle, trembling and timid, in a frightened group about the shepherd.
How can one rest when he feels himself constantly liable to attacks from the adversary? Who can rest when his eternal destiny lies wavering in the balance? How can a soul have rest when he has not settled the question of the saving and keeping power of the Shepherd? He Himself met the great Adversary of our souls, and has broken forever his power. The good Shepherd was no fleeing hireling, He laid down His life for His sheep, and now He ever lives to guarantee our safety. He promised, “My sheep shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand” (John 10:28). Rest in that guarantee of your safety. He suffered all there was to suffer, and paid all there was to pay, and lives to personally guarantee the sufficiency of His atoning work. Rest in the all-sufficiency of the eternal, living Christ, and His perfect, finished work. Lack of rest is lack of faith.
2. Satisfaction - A hungry sheep never lies down. We can never rest as long as our soul hunger is unsatisfied, and our thirst unquenched. Perhaps you lack rest, because you have tried to satisfy your hunger, as did the prodigal son, with “the husks that the swine did eat.” But, dear heart, your soul cannot be satisfied on the dry husks of the world, and its sinful indulgence. Why not return to the “green pastures” and find rest and satisfaction in His precious Word - “lie down in green pastures”?
3. Submission - No shepherd can bring his flock to rest, unless the sheep will follow him, and be obedient to his voice. It is not amazing that we lose our rest, when we run here and there, following every voice that calls, submitting to the desires of our own evil, lustful hearts. We are sure to lack rest, when we substitute our plans for His guidance, when we take our lives in our hands rather than tune our ears to His call. We do not look up often enough to see which way He is going, and we do not listen enough to hear what He would have us do. Our rest is broken, and our peace is lost. Hand over to Him all that robs your heart of peace, and causes your soul to tremble, and then take from Him His own sweet rest and peace. “There is rest for the weary - There is rest for you.”
Dear friend, if you have lost your rest, you have only yourself to blame. And you can get it restored when you return to the Shepherd.
God’s Pets
It seems that in every flock of sheep there are one or two pets - maybe a pet lamb that follows constantly and persistently at the very heels of the shepherd. Because of its nearness to the shepherd, it gets more of the shepherd’s care and attention, and more quiet words of affection than any other sheep in the flock. It is not that the shepherd deliberately chooses a pet, but rather that the lamb or sheep chooses that place of nearness to the shepherd.
You say, “Do you mean to insinuate that God has pets?” Not that God is partial, but the fact remains that some are getting more from their Shepherd than others - more of His tender care, more of His sweet communion, more of His daily provision. Why? They have chosen to follow closely, to obey every wish of the Shepherd, to constantly remain in His presence, and close to His side. You alone can choose whether you will walk or play about far off from the Shepherd’s side, or whether you will follow lovingly at His heels. When Jesus walked on earth, He had His “pets.” Of course, He could never be accused of being partial, but among the multitudes, there were the believers, and among the believers, were the twelve, and among the twelve were the three (Peter, James, and John) who “went a little farther,” and among the three was John, who “leaned upon His bosom.” He spoke to the twelve in parables, and then explained the meaning of the parable to them when they were along with Him. They knew more of the Saviour’s mission than the world knew. He took the three with Him away from the prying eyes of the throng, and they knew more of the Saviour’s ministry and power than the rest of the twelve. But it was John who leaned on His bosom, and heard more of His gentle whispers than anyone else. It was not that Jesus chose John, but rather that John chose that place of nearness to the Saviour’s side. You alone can choose whether you will be merely one of His flock or one of His “pets.” Are you in that place of nearness where you can say:
He speaks and the sound of His voice - Is so sweet that the birds hush their singing, And the melody that He gave to me Within my heart is ringing. And He walks with me and He talks with me, And He tells me that I am His own; And the joy we share as we tarry there None other has ever known.
- C. Austin Miles
“He maketh me to lie down in green pastures” FEEDING. “He leadeth me.” LEADING. Notice the order here, feeding before leading. A literal rendering of these words in John 10:4 are as follows: “When He hath put forth all His own.” The sheep are sometimes in the morning not willing to leave the fold and so He “puts” or thrusts them forth. Then the shepherd goes before them and leads them into “green pastures,” and “beside the still waters.”
“I shall not want” for satisfaction, for “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures.” A sheep never lies down until its hunger is fully satisfied. This is a picture of complete satisfaction - there is food all around, an abundance of green grass, but the sheep is unable to consume any more; it is satisfied. How like our blessed Lord that is! He satisfies. “He says, He keeps, He satisfies, this wonderful Friend of mine.” How foolish it is to try to find satisfaction for your soul’s hunger by feeding on the dry husks of worldly sin and pleasure, when “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures.”
“I shall not want” for companionship, for “He leadeth me.” That is, He goes before me and with me. “Thou art with me” (continually with me). Having undertaken to be my Shepherd, He will for His own glory’s sake, do all that a shepherd can. I am as safe as He is powerful.
“He leadeth me.” “He - me,” what a blessed companionship! He not only gave His life for His sheep, but He gives His life to His sheep in blessed fellowship and constant companionship. “What a fellowship, what a joy divine, leaning on the everlasting arms.” There are times when we feel like Peter at the Transfiguration, when he said “It is good for us to be here; let us make three tabernacles.” Let’s just stay here, in other words. But leading follows feeding as revealed in John 10:9, where we find that “he … shall go in and out;” “in” for fellowship and “out” for deeding; “in” for safety and “out” for service; “in” for repose and “out” for repast. Our going “in” is to prepare us for the going “out.” We have fellowship with Him so that we can work for Him. We go in for prayer so that we can go out with boldness.
“He leadeth me.” To have a guide means not only to make sure of life, but to make the most of life. You can see more of Yellowstone Park or New York City in a day, with a competent guide, than in a week without one. So with Jesus as my guide and companion, I not only make sure of life hereafter, but make the most of life here. “He knows the way … He holds my hand.” “He leadeth” - He does not drive like a hireling. His leading is limited only by our unwillingness to follow.
“He leadeth me” in service. Religious activity is not service unless He leads. First, “He maketh me to lie down”; then “He leadeth me.” “To lie down” is to rest preparatory to His leading into service. “Lie down” in prayer, Bible study, in heart searching and in resting.
Maybe you have been made to “lie down.” You are laid aside today, you toss on a bed of sickness and pain; you wait on the Lord to reveal His will. Take courage, my friend; He is preparing to lead you into new victories in service for Him, and even your lying down is in “green pastures.” Why should we fear and doubt when He is leading?
It has often been said that “Everyman who God hath used has first been broken.” How true! I wonder if I might say then that before God leads us He must first make us to “lie down.” Is not there a testing, a period of heart searching, and a time of sifting each time before He leads us into new victory, new joys, and new triumphs in His blessed service? “He maketh me to lie down.” If it is His work I can trust Him (Romans 8:28).
“He leadeth me” - He has a personal interest in each sheep, and “He calleth His own sheep by name. He has a personal, definite guidance for me. What a thrilling thought! I am not lost in the flock, I am not just one of His sheep, but He has a personal interest and a definite guidance for me. I can always find comfort from the assurance that the Shepherd is the Leader, and He is leading me to my Home. Not always is the path smooth, or the way easy, and not always does He lead in the sunlight. But sometimes the way is rough, the struggle is hard, and there are shadows across the pathway. But whichever way it is, it is the right way, for He is the Leader, and He is taking me Home. MY FATHER WATCHES OVER ME
I TRUST IN God wherever I may be, Upon the land or on the rolling sea, For, come what may, From day to day, My heavenly Father watches over me.
I trust in God, for, in the lion’s den, On battlefield, or in the prison pen, Thro’ praise or blame, Thro’ flood or flame, My heavenly Father watches over me. The valley may be dark, the shadows deep, But O, the Shepherd guards His lonely sheep; And thro’ the gloom He’ll lead me home, My heavenly Father watches over me.
I trust in God, - I know He cares for me, On mountain bleak or on the stormy sea;
Tho’ billows roll, He keeps my soul, My heav’nly Father watches over me.
- Rev. W. C. Martin
“I shall not want” for purity, for “He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness.” He leadeth me in “right ways.” The right way is not always easiest but it is always best.
“I shall not want” for a motive in life, for “He leadeth me … for His name’s sake.” This is literally translated “His reputation’s sake.” The Lord is jealous of His reputation. Everywhere we go we take His name, we are His sheep. Lest I injure His name I must not go astray, for the shepherd is judged by the conduct of his sheep. If you are a wandering sheep, you injure His name, His reputation.
The Leader, “HE.” The Led, “ME.” The paths, ‘RIGHTEOUSNESS’ (Right Paths). The Purpose, ‘FOR HIS NAME’S SAKE.’
“I shall not want” for comfort, for “He leadeth me beside the still waters,” or waters of peace, rest and refreshment. The waters of this world are indeed troubled, a boiling caldron; but we can find rest and peace in Him. The believer has no craving thirst, for there is a constant supply in Christ.
“Still waters” are the deepest waters. It is only through deep sorrow, heartaches, and experiences in the Christian life, that we learn the blessed quietness which He alone can give. God does not promise an easy, painless life for the Christian, but His promise is to lead us “beside the still waters.” This is in fact a prophecy of hard trials and deep affliction, but His promise is “I will be with him in trouble” (Psalms 91:15). It is then that His presence is felt as at no other time, and this fellowship in “the furnace of affliction” gives a calmness, quietness and depth to the Christian life which cannot be gained in any other way.
Shallow water runs swiftly, and the shallow life often moves at a more rapid pace than the deeper life. It takes time to be spiritual; it does not just happen! “Take Time to Be Holy,” was not written in this fast age, but it does take time to be holy. In fact, it takes more time than most of us are willing to spend. Abraham, alone with God, was made the father of a nation; Moses, in the quietness and stillness of the desert, received God’s message at the burning bush. Most of their training was in the school of silence. We are living at such a rapid pace today that there is a sickly shallowness about most of our lives and few of us know the meaning of the quietness of God “beside the still waters.” We have a false code of spiritual values; we judge the value of a man by the speed with which he works rather than the depth of the work accomplished.
Maybe you are discouraged today because you cannot see the results of your tireless efforts. It seems that you are accomplishing little, that your labours bear no fruit, and that your energy is expended in vain, but God is adding depth to your life that cannot be seen, and can only be realized in all its fruitfulness in eternity. He is preparing you now for an enlarged work tomorrow.
“I shall not want” for fellowship, for “He restoreth my soul.” When fellowship is broken by sin, it is restored by repentance and confession (1 John 1:9). Yes, He revives and restores. He brings the wanderer back from “by-paths” to the “right paths.” He “restores!” What a blessed assurance fills my soul as I read His precious promise, and as I notice how long He seeks the wandering sheep - “until He finds it,” and “not one of them shall perish.”
How is restitution effected? By the Shepherd’s look: “And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter, and Peter remembered the Word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, “Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And Peter went out and wept bitterly” (Luke 22:61-62). Peter could not stand that look - it broke his heart and he “wept bitterly.” Oh, my friend, are you in need of restoration today? By the Shepherd’s crook: “Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word” (Psalms 119:67). “Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth” (Hebrews 12:6). Thank God that even His chastening is proof of His love and of our relationship to Him - “He scourgeth every son.” If you are out of the fellowship today, do not charge those things that have happened to you to “bad luck.” He, in His love for you, has laid on the rod because He desires your restoration.
Here again I want you to see that He does it all. A sheep is so helpless, and is unable to return of its own accord. A dog or a cat can find its way home, but not a sheep. Sheep do not know enough to remain in the fold, and they do not know enough to return to the fold after they have wandered away. Even swine know when a storm is brewing and run home, and at night will return to their trough; but a sheep can do nothing to protect itself. It is wholly dependent upon the Shepherd’s care. We are just that helpless, Even after we are saved, if it were not for the tender care and keeping of the Lord, our Shepherd, there is not one of us but would have strayed from His fold forever. But it is blessed to know if we do stray, it is His business to seek until He finds us and restores us unto Himself. “He restoreth my soul.” You can not do that; no one else can do it for you, but He can. He does the saving; He does the keeping; He does the leading and He does the restoring. My friend, if you have wandered away, He seeks you today. He is even now seeking you through these very words. Quit running just rest in His mercy, and “He restoreth my soul.”
“I shall not want” for courage, “I will fear no evil.” His presence gives confidence. In myself I tremble, in the world I am defeated, but He is my Shepherd, “I shall not want.” There is no evil to fear when the Shepherd is near. “Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flames kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy god, thy Saviour” - “my Shepherd” (Isaiah 43:1-3).
“I shall not want” for assurance, for “Thou art with me,” and “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
“Thou art with me.” The heavenly pilgrim is always in good company. Paul said, “All men forsook me… notwithstanding the Lord stood with me” (2 Timothy 4:16-17). His presence is always sufficient in all ways and at all times. A few years ago I carried my little girl home from the church while she was sleeping, and tucked her in bed in the home of some friends where we were to spend the night. We then went down stairs to spend an hour or two of fellowship with the members of the household. Suddenly we heard a faint cry from away off in the strange bedroom: “Daddy, are you there?” When I assured her of my presence she went confidently to sleep. Even though the surroundings were strange she did not fear, for her daddy was present. Oh, what a comfort to know that “Thou art with me.” Right now, as you read these words, He is there.
“I shall not want” for protection, for “Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me” - the rod for protection; the staff for correction.
“I shall not want” for food, for “Thou preparest a table before me.” He surely supplies “all your needs.” “Thou preparest” - again we are reminded that “He careth for you.” “Thou preparest” - here we see His loving fore-thought in providing for His sheep. “Thou preparest a table” - a table speaks of fellowship.
“Before me” - again we are reminded of His personal care. A sheep is never lost in the flock. God knows each one by name. He is concerned about my problems and my personal needs. I am more than a sheep in His pasture, for I am a guest at His table. And more than that, I am a child of His household. All the resources of His divine provision must be exhausted before I can ever suffer want. Since it is His provision, it is always “good,” and though it may not always be sweet, it is best (Romans 8:28).
“Before me” - it is thrilling to observe that it is prepared beforehand. His promise is - “while ye are yet speaking, I will answer. He is never late in His provision. “Before me” - not only in front of us, “leading,” but ahead of me preparing. “He leadeth me” - (goes before) and now we see that He prepares before me.
“God prepares” - God is never taken by surprise. When I fell into sin, He was prepared. And “the Lamb of God was slain before the foundation of the world.” When I fell by the wayside, He was prepared and “the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us (continually cleanseth us) from all sin.” When I have needs, He is prepared, and promises to “supply all our need, according to His riches in glory, by Christ Jesus.” And when this life is ended, He is prepared, for the Lord has gone “to prepare a place for me.” My! What a Saviour, what a Shepherd, what a Provider!
“I shall not want for victory, for He prepares a table “in the presence of mine enemies.” They are powerless against me, for He is my Shepherd.
“I shall not want” exoneration, for my enemies have to look on in annoyance at God’s provision for me. Though they would organize against me, God provides for me. “A table in the presence of mine enemies” - they may compass me about. They may surround me, as four walls that would imprison, but they cannot put a ceiling over me, and they cannot cut off supplies that come hourly from above. When God elects to feed a soul, that soul shall be fed, though all Hell attempts to stop it.
“I shall not want” for sanctification, for “Thou anointest my head with oil.” The oil is symbolic of the Holy Spirit Who indwells the believer, seals us, and sets us aside as a vessel for divine service and glory. The oil is also assurance of hospitality and protection. We have to get the setting of the eastern land to understand this. The host would receive a guest into his house, wash his feet and anoint his head with olive oil which he would pour from a horn. By this act the host is literally saying, “You are welcome in this house and at my table. All the comforts and protection of this home are yours. Before any harm can come to you, it must first touch me. I will die if necessary, before an enemy can harm you. You are my guest.”
What a precious picture! I am the guest at the table. The Lord is the host. “He anointeth my head with oil,” and has thus announced that as long as I am in His house I am perfectly safe. My enemies may surround me, but they cannot touch me; they would first have to smite Christ. (Remember the words “I am the Door”?) What safety! What protection! What a Host! What a Saviour!
“I shall not want” for spiritual fullness, for “my cup runneth over.” He gives us not only life, but an abundant life; not only entrance into the kingdom, but an abundant entrance; not only satisfaction, but abounding satisfaction; not only blessings, but overflowing blessings; not only joy, but joy running over. God is not stingy with His blessings for love never considers the cost. The overflow is not waste, but it is for the salvation of others. Other lives are blessed, other hearts are touched by the overflowing blessings He bestows. The Christian life is not self-centered and self-contained; it “runneth over.” If it continually “runneth over,” there must be a continual filling. There is always a sweetness and freshness about the Christian life. There must be an inflowing if there is an out-flowing, and there must be an out-flowing if there is an in-flowing. So only as our lives “run over” are they kept fresh and pure and renewed in the Lord. Is your cup running over? A full cup is not enough.
There is cause for humble meditation here. Some cups are very small; it does not take much to fill them. There are many Christians who have never grown in grace; they are stunted in their development and have a little “thimble” capacity. Others have had a growing experience, and enlarged capacity, a big cup. God fills each cup to overflowing when we fully yield to Him. If your cup does not have a large capacity, it is your loss and His sorrow. Not only does a small cup mean a loss in this life but even in eternity, as we read regarding the joy of heaven: “They shall be satisfied.” But some Christians have been saved for years and are still “babes in Christ.” They have never grown; they still feed on the “milk of the Word.” They have a small capacity, a little cup, and are easily ‘satisfied.” For illustration, a little baby sits on the floor and is perfectly content and satisfied with a little ten-cent baby rattle; it has a very limited capacity and understanding; it would rather have its little red rattle than a title to a mansion. You would not, however, expect to find its daddy down on the floor playing with such toys. No, he is a man; he has a great capacity for enjoyment; it takes things of real value to please him.
God grant that we may “grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord.” Then we will have a richer, fuller life and an enlarged capacity to contain the joys and blessings of heaven.
Now another lesson from these words: the larger the cup the more we can draw from His abounding fountain of grace. In medieval times in England, on Christmas morning, the poor villagers would call at the house of the lord of the manor, each one with his cup, which the lord would fill with his choicest wine. Some came with a small cut and received little; others came with a large cup and received much. He filled each cup.
What a rebuke to us! “Ye have not because ye ask not.” God give us a “hunger and thirst after righteousness”! God give us a growth in capacity, an increased faith, a large cup. May I call your attention to the order of God’s Word? “Thou anointest my head,” “my cup runneth over.” Anointing must go before the overflowing (John 7:37-38). If your cup is “empty and dry,” if you have lost the joy of His salvation, if you have lost your power in service, you need a fresh anointing, a new filling of the Holy Spirit. Every believer has been baptized by the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:13) and can say, “The Lord is my Shepherd.” Every believer should be filled with the Spirit, and then he could say, “My cup runneth over…” A little boy, quoting this Psalm, gave the words in this way, “The Lord is my shepherd, What more could I want?” He was not so far wrong as this is literally the meaning here, and these words may be translated, “The Lord is my shepherd, therefore, I shall lack nothing.” Why? I am His and “all I have is thine” (Luke 15:31). If I have Him, I have everything.
“I shall not want” for love, for “goodness and mercy shall follow me.” Notice here the certainty of His goodness and mercy - “surely goodness and mercy shall follow me.” “Surely” - He is God, eternal and everlasting and unchanging, and even “if we believe not, yet he abideth faithful” (2 Timothy 2:13). His gifts are never taken back. “Surely” - because He would never start something without completing it. “Surely” - because He has given His Word, His personal guarantee, and “He cannot deny himself” (2 Timothy 2:13). “Surely” - because of His love for us. The shepherd always leads his flock when on a long journey, and the sheep crowd around him, they follow him, for they know his voice. But in the background, where it is sometimes impossible for the shepherd to keep his watchful eye fixed upon all the sheep, he has made provision for their care and protection. Two great shepherd dogs act as rear guards. They are well trained and know their duty. If any sheep would stray from following the shepherd, they bark a warning. If a sheep falls by the wayside or into a pit, their frantic barking summons the shepherd, who lifts the wounded sheep with his crook. So you see the Good Shepherd not only conducts, but convoys His sheep through the valley.
God’s goodness and His mercy are indeed His “rear guard.” If I would turn aside from following His voice, I am immediately faced with His goodness to me. It cries out a warning and I cannot turn back. If I would step aside from His goodness, there is God’s mercy. I simply cannot trample it underfoot; I cannot ignore His love, His constant goodness and gentle mercy, and I must turn about to follow His steps and to respond to the music of His sweet voice.
I am so weak, so prone to wander, and I am sure when I step through the door of the heavenly fold I will sing with the Psalmist from the depths of my soul in eternal gratitude, “Surely goodness and mercy” have followed me “all the days of my life, and I shall (because of His goodness and mercy) dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
“I shall not want” for consolation. His promise is for “All the days of my life.” God assures us, “As thy days, so shall thy strength be.” Life is made up of days. If He was sufficient yesterday, He is sufficient for today, and if He is sufficient today, He will continue to be “all the days of my life” - from the cradle to the grave, and from the grave through eternity. We may not know what the future holds but we do know that God’s goodness and mercy will follow us “all the days.” - The Shepherd leading, goodness and mercy following.
“I shall not want” for a destination, for “I will dwell in the house of the Lord.” Notice that even in Glory we are still the recipients of His tender care and provision. It is “the house of the Lord;” it is a house He has prepared. “He has gone to prepare a place for us.” And “the Lord doeth all things well.” Oh, what a Shepherd! What a glorious Saviour!
“I shall not want” in eternity, for “I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.” His present fellowship here is just a taste of eternity with Him. Time is but the dressing room of eternity.
Before we continue, notice the progression of this great Psalm.
“The Lord is my Shepherd.” Here we have relationship.
“The Lord is my Shepherd.” Here we have assurance.
“The Lord is my Shepherd.” Here we have care.
“I shall not want.” Here we have contentment.
“He maketh me to lie down.” Here we have ownership.
“He maketh me to lie down.” Here we have rest.
“In green pastures.” Here we have satisfaction.
“He leadeth me.” Here we have guidance.
“He leadeth me beside the still waters.” Here we have refreshment.
“He restoreth my soul.” Here we have fellowship.
Now notice the second blessed revelation here. We are helpless, defenseless, wandering sheep. We do nothing but enjoy His blessings. We are simply the beneficiaries.
“I was lost, but Jesus found me, Found the sheep that went astray, Threw His loving arms around me, Drew me back into His way.”
Finally note the safety of God’s sheep:
Beneath me, “green pastures”; beside me, “still waters”; with me, “my shepherd”; before me, “a table”; around me, “mine enemies”; after me, “goodness and mercy”; beyond me, “the house of the Lord.”
“THOUGH I WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY”
“Of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”
Though “I walk.” Death is an experience from which the sinner shrinks. He fears, fights, and draws back from it. He is dragged into it in great terror, and panic grips his heart. Death is the ever-lurking enemy of the natural (unsaved) man; it is inevitable, and it casts a shadow over his entire life. But death is the emancipation of the child of God. Our “citizenship is in heaven,” our “treasures” are over there, and our “affections are above.” But we are now imprisoned here “in this vile body of sin,” and death comes as an angel of mercy to release us from our prison house of corruption. “To die is gain,” “to be with Christ is far better.” Of course, we do not invite death, yet when death comes we do not fear the grim reaper, but walk into death with courage and confidence. “I will fear no evil.”
“Through the valley.” Oh, I am so glad He pictures death as a “valley” - smooth and peaceful, not rough, rugged and steep. Notice the word, “through the valley.” Thank God for that! The child of God does not remain even in the valley of the shadow of death, but we pass through. The unsaved soul passes into death. Death is for him the terrible dark door that opens into an endless eternity of darkness, blackness and death from which he shall never return. But, praise God, the redeemed soul passes through death. Death is only the open door through which, by God’s grace, we pass into the glorious life beyond. It is not the end of anything save mortality. My friend, stop, consider; when your summons comes, will you pass into death or through death?
“Of the shadow of death.” I am not afraid of a shadow, are you? A shadow is not a real object. A shadow cannot harm you. The Psalmist did not say, we walk through the valley of death,” but through “the valley of the shadow of death.” So death is not a reality, but a “shadow” to the believer; therefore “I will fear no evil.” The shadow of an evil will never harm you; the shadow of a fire will not burn; the shadow of a sword will not slay; the shadow of a tomb cannot hold you, and therefore the shadow of death you need not fear.
Death having lost its “sting” becomes but a mere shadow. So the believer may exclaim, “Oh, death, where is thy sting? Oh, grave, where is thy victory?” Death answers, “I am not come as an enemy, but as a friend; not to destroy, but to conduct you into the Father’s home.”
Again though, I call your attention to a contrast. Death for the sinner is separation of the soul from God. It is real; it is for ever. Death for the saint is only the separation of the soul from the body and that just for a little while - a momentary “shadow.” A shadow, though, is the shade cast by a real object. “The wages of sin is death,” and it is real; it must be paid. But Christ Himself received the real sting of death and paid the full penalty of our sin. My friend, if you want to see death in its terrible, horrible reality, take a trip to Calvary. See the precious Son of God bleeding, suffering, and dying for your sins. Sense the terrible blackness and hear Him cry out in His agony, “My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” One look at that scene and you will say, “Yes, death is real.” But since Jesus paid the full penalty, the one who repents of sin and believes on Him, merely passes through the “valley of the shadow of death.” Have you “received Him?” Have you trusted Him? Have you “believed in Him?” Have you appropriated His sacrificial death and His blood, shed on Calvary, as full payment for your sins? Will you face the penalty of sin, which is death, or will you pass through “the valley of the shadow of death?”
Another fact about a shadow: Behind the shadow there must be a light. You will never find a shadow where there is no light. Go down into a dark cave where no ray of light penetrates and look for a shadow; you will find none. Behind the shadow of death there is a light, the glorious light of the resurrection. Death only casts a momentary shadow, “absent from the body, present with the Lord.” Just a while and even this body shall be raised “incorruptible,” “immortal,” and “glorified,” into the light of His wonderful presence. “The shadow is temporary, the light is eternal.”
“I WILL FEAR NO EVIL”
“I will fear no evil” place, the world.
“I will fear no evil” thing, the flesh.
“I will fear no evil” one, the devil. A child of God is not afraid at the moment of his passing through the shadow of death. Why? “For Thou art with me.”
“Thou,” the Lord Jesus Himself, makes His presence felt in a very literal and real way, as the believer passes into the shadow. Have you ever been there by the side of a bed when the Lord came to call some precious soul home? Angelic presence fills the room; there is a sweet peace, a blessed calm, and no “fear.” It is as close to heaven as you will ever get in this world. When things are going well, when life is easy, and when the sun is shining, many are content with talking about the Lord; but when the sky darkens, trouble comes, and the shadows fall we want to talk to Him directly.
Afraid? Of What? To feel the spirit’s glad release? To pass from pain to perfect peace? The strife and strain of life to cease?
Afraid - of that?
Afraid? Of What?
Afraid to see the Saviour’s face, To hear His welcome, and to trace The glory gleam from wounds of grace?
Afraid - of that?
Afraid? Of What? A flash - a crash - a pierced heart;
Darkness - light - O heaven’s art! A wound of His a counterpart;
Afraid - of that?
Afraid? Of What? To enter into Heaven’s rest, And yet to serve the Master blest, From service good to service best?
Afraid - of that?
Afraid? Of What? To do by death what life could not - Baptize with death a stony plot, Till souls shall blossom from that spot?
Afraid - of that?
It is good to say, “What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee”; but it is far better to say, “I will trust and not be afraid.”
“The translation of a Christian life from earth to heaven is but the removal of a tender plant from a cold northern garden, where it is stunted and dying, into a tropical field, where it puts out most luxuriant growths and covers itself with splendor.”
“With Me” - We are “never alone,” even in the valley. When He entered the valley, He was alone. “I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with Me… And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold” (Isaiah 63:3-5). At last, upon the pitiless cross as our sins were laid upon Him, even God Himself turned from Him, and He uttered that despairing cry. “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” He died a few moments later with a broken heart - alone. But praise God, when we come to the valley, we will not be alone - “Thou art with me.”
“Thou art with me.” This is not a promise that is good only in the hour of death, but He is even now, right this minute, with me. His promise is - “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” There is victory and joy in the constant realization of His blessed presence.
NEVER ALONE I’ve seen the lightning flashing, And heard the thunder roll, I’ve felt sin’s breakers dashing, Which almost conquered my soul;
I’ve heard the voice of my Saviour, Bidding me still to fight on;
He promised never to leave me, Never to leave me alone!
CHORUS:
No, never alone! No, never alone! He promised never to leave me, Never to leave me alone!
No, never alone! No, never alone! He promised never to leave me, Never to leave me alone! The world’s fierce winds are blowing: Temptation sharp and keen;
I have a peace in knowing - My Saviour stands between - He stands to shield me from danger - When my friends are all gone;
He promised never to leave me, Never to leave me alone! When in affliction’s valley I tread the road of care, My savior helps me carry the cross so heavy to bear:
Tho’ all around me in darkness, Earthy joys all flown; My Saviour whispers His promise, Never to leave me alone!
He died on Calvary’s mountain, For me they pierced His side, For me He opened that fountain, The crimson cleansing tide; For me He waited in glory, Seated Upon His throne;
He promised never to leave me, Never to leave me alone!
- Broadcast Music, Inc.
“THY ROD AND THY STAFF THEY COMFORT ME”
What a comfort! The Shepherd carried two instruments, the rod was a short club to protect the sheep from any beast that might attack them; the staff was for the sheep themselves. It was the shepherd’s crook to guide them if they wandered from the path, and to lift them out of the pit if they fell. He sometimes rapped a disobedient sheep sharply with the staff. But even God’s disciplinary dealings are among His greatest mercies. This comforts me to know that He not only loves and cares for me, but corrects and chastens me, thus proving His love. “Whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth.” So we see that our Shepherd keeps others from harming us and He keeps us from harming ourselves. He protects us from our enemies and He protects us from ourselves. Have you so completely turned over the responsibility of your life to Him that you find comfort from His protecting rod and chastening staff? The shepherd also uses the staff for another purpose. He stands at the door of the fold and counts the sheep into the fold as they pass under the staff. (See Leviticus 27:32). If one sheep is missing, he leaves the others safely in the fold and goes out to search for the one which is lost. How long does he search? “Until he find it” (Luke 15:4). He promises in John 10:28, “I give unto them eternal life: and they shall never perish; neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.” My friend, if you are out of the fold today, you are of more concern to the Good Shepherd than a hundred sheep safely in the shelter of the fold. Do not grieve the shepherd any longer.
Jesus said, “They know not the voice of strangers” (they follow no one else). This is actually true. It has been demonstrated many times and in many ways.
They have in the Holy Land, even to this day, this custom: several shepherds will bring their flocks into one common fold and there leave the sheep in the care of “the porter” through the night (John 10:3). All of the sheep inside the fold mingle together as one great flock, and the stranger would ponder, “How will the shepherd ever separate the sheep?” It is very simple, however. Early on the following morning the various shepherds meet at the door of the fold. One shepherd walks off in one direction, calling his sheep by name; another shepherd walks in another direction, calling his sheep by name; another shepherd walks another way, calling his sheep. On one side of the door they mingle together as one great flock, but at the door there is a division. Every sheep knows his own shepherd’s voice and the shepherd knows their names. A traveler in the Holy Land challenged a shepherd on this statement, that he knew the sheep by name, and they knew his voice. The stranger said that they were acquainted with his peculiar shepherd’s garb and it was not his voice they knew but his apparel. On that, the shepherd immediately offered to exchange, clothing with the traveler. This was done, and the traveler walked among the sheep calling the name of one of the sheep which the shepherd had told him. The only result was that the sheep raised their heads and looked excitedly toward the strange voice and scattered as he approach them. Then the shepherd in the stranger’s clothing walked among the sheep and called the same sheep, whose name the traveler had called. Immediately the sheep raised its head and came running to the shepherd’s side. He rewarded it with a tender sprig of grass, petted it, and returned to the flock. This was done repeatedly and the sheep seemed to pay no attention to the strange clothing but actually knew their names and knew the voice of the shepherd.
“Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.” What a comfort it is, to know that He protects me all through the journey of life and when I come to the valley of the shadow of death He personally meets me there and counts me into the fold. He takes a personal interest in each sheep and His eternal promise is, “Not a one of them shall perish.” A Lost Lamb
Though it is true that the sheep “know not the voice of strangers,” and “a stranger will they not follow,” it is likewise true that a lost lamb will follow anybody and anything. It will follow another animal, a stray dog, or leap playfully after a hopping bird. It will follow another shepherd that chances to pass by that way. Poor little lost helpless lamb.
Oh, let us win the lost lambs to Christ! What is more helpless than a lost child? He cannot reason for himself; he cannot study the Word for himself; he knows not what to believe or who to follow, and, true to the illustration of the lost lamb, he follows anything and anybody. Any false teaching that comes along the poor, innocent, trusting child will follow. Let us win the children to Christ, that they may early in life get acquainted with their shepherd’s voice and learn to follow His call, and do His bidding. A Sick Sheep
There is another sad exception to this truth, and that is that a sick sheep will follow anyone. It becomes listless and inattentive and gropes it way, following any voice that calls. My friend has not that been your case, if you are a wandering sheep today? Before you went astray, did you not first become spiritually sick, and undernourished? Did you not become a victim of spiritual malnutrition? Your diet has not included the essential vitamins for the spiritual life and growth of a believer.
Vitamins
Vitamin “A” the Atonement. Have you not failed to meditate upon it? His shed blood, His sacrificial death, is dying love for you? Have you not ceased to praise Him daily that He was wounded for your transgressions and bruised for your iniquities?
Vitamin “B,” the Blood. Have you not failed to go to Him daily for a new cleansing in His precious blood? Have you not failed to cling to His precious promise, “If we (my little children) confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
Vitamin “C,” the Cross. Have you not forgotten that you are not your own, but “Ye are bought with a price”? Have you not gone your way instead of His way?
Vitamin “D,” Death. Have you not failed to “die daily,” as Paul admonishes us to do (1 Corinthians 15:31)? Some of us have indeed tried to practice daily crucifixion of self, but we wait until the end of the day to do it. Why not die at the beginning of the day, and live the day for Him?
Vitamin “E,” Evangelism. This is the reproductive vitamin. Did you not fail to tell others of Jesus? Did you not fail to win your loved ones and friends to Christ? Did you grow cold and indifferent, self-satisfied and selfish? Oh, what a sad lack of this vitamin in the professing church today!
Vitamin “G,” Grace. Yes, you “fell from grace”; that is, you forgot that you were saved “by grace through faith,” and fell under the law, trying to keep yourself by your own works, which are all “filthy rags” in the sight of God. Are you not undernourished, underfed, hungry and thirsty? Yes, you neglected the study of His Word, His fellowship in prayer, and His service, and you neglected Him.
You deserted the “green pastures” to romp and play in the stubble fields of sin. You fled from the “still waters” to dry cisterns and stagnant pools of worldly pleasure. Your soul has been starved and your thirst is unquenched. You have turned a deaf ear to His call and now indeed His voice seems strange to you. You have gone “your own way” until His way seems so “straight and narrow.” Your soul has gone unrestored, you have not followed His leading “in the paths of righteousness,” and His name has been hurt by your living. The shadows of the valley, like grotesque fingers, reach for you. His comforting staff has become a chastening rod, and your cup of joy is dry and empty. And now you say, “I do not know whether the Lord is my Shepherd or not.” But read it again, beloved - “The Lord is my Shepherd.” Thank God, he searches for you now. He calls your name. Quit running; quit hiding; let Him find you. Nestle on His bosom and whisper your humble confession in His ear, unload your heart, and lift your voice with the Psalmist in loud acclaim, “The Lord is my Shepherd.”
“I WILL DWELL IN TE HOUSE OF THE LORD FOREVER” The Home
“The house of the Lord” - This is Home. Jesus had the same thought in mind when He said, “In My Father’s House are many mansions.” What a precious word is “home,” but “home” is not made of bricks and mortar, boards, and expensive furniture; “home” for many is not much more than a hovel, but, nevertheless, it is “home.”
What is it that makes a house a home? Those who dwell there. “Home” is where our loved ones are. A few years ago I was on the way “home” to visit my mother and father on Mother’s Day. As I was driving “home,” this very thought was passing through my mind. It was not the home in which I was raised, for my father is a preacher, and we moved often, and I really had no childhood “home place.” In fact, I had been away from home many years, and my father and mother had moved to the city in which they were then living. I had never been there before, and yet I said I was going “home.” I expressed the thoughts that were then in my mind in the words of a poem, the first verse of which follows - Home again, Mother your boy will remain For a while at least, in the old home again;
‘Tis not the same house, and not the same street, Not even the city, or the old home state. But ‘tis home to me, and will always be, For I see your sweet face there, yearning for me.
- J. C. B.
Yes, it is the presence of our loved ones that makes it “home.” I read a few years ago of a dear mother who was seriously ill, and all during her sickness the neighbors took the little six-year-old girl and cared for her. At last the mother died. Desiring to save the little girl from as much grief as possible, they did not take her back home until after the funeral. Then they took the little one back to her “home.” She immediately slipped from their arms, and ran expectantly into the bedroom where she had last seen her mother, calling “Mother, Mother.” With a puzzled look, she turned away from the empty bed. Then with a happy thought, she ran into the kitchen where the child no doubt thought her mother would be busy about the usual preparations in the home, but the kitchen was deserted. Her face expressed the fear that clutched her heart. After crying excitedly, “Mother, Mother,” trough the entire house, she ran again into the arms of the kind neighbor, and said, “Take me away, take me away.” It was not home without her mother. She did not even want to be there within the confining walls that seemed now to make an empty prison. The chief attraction of “home” is the presence of our loved ones, and the chief attraction of Heaven is not the many mansions, the golden streets, pearly gates, vari-colored foundations, and the angelic choirs; but it is “home,” because it is “the house of the Lord” - His dwelling place. It is “home’ because we have loved ones there, and “home,” because He has prepared it for us.
We used to sing so often, “Oh, think of the home over there.” Then we would sing, “Oh, think of the friends over there.” And then:
“My Saviour is now over there, There my kindred and friends are at rest;
Then away from my sorrow and care, Let me fly to the land of the blest.
“I’ll soon be at home over there, For the end of the journey I see;
Many dear to my heart, over there, Are watching and waiting for me.”
- D. W. C. Huntington The Preparation
Then my heart is thrilled again to think that it is a home that He has prepared. He has promised, “I go to prepare a place for you.” Love likes to prepare for the loved. I’ll never forget the joy with which I went about making the preparations in the little home for my bride. I did the best I could, but I was a struggling young preacher, and could not provide many of the comforts and luxuries that my heart desired to prepare. Many of the preparations I had made with my own hands, but with joy I went about the task, looking forward to the time that my beloved bride and I would share our little love-nest together. My! What a place I would have prepared, had I not been so limited. But, dear ones, He is unlimited. Can you imagine the splendor of the home He has gone to prepare for His bride - the redeemed? His unbounded love is not thus limited by human weakness. The Certainty My heart rejoices again, as I consider thecertainty of these words, “I will dwell in the house of the Lord.” It is a certain promise of the Saviour that “where I am, there shall ye be also.” A few years ago, I saw a once-beautiful home which was neglected and unkept. Upon inquiring, I heard this story. A young lover built a beautiful, new home for his bride-to-be. He had it thoroughly and luxuriously furnished, and went about all the happy preparations with joyful expectation of the happy hours and years that he would have there with his precious bride. And on the wedding day she was cruelly seized by a rival lover, mutilated, and brutally murdered. The young man never again entered that house. He said, “I never want to see it again.” It stood through the years, fully furnished, but deserted. But, ah! There will be no such disappointment for our Bridegroom, for “where I am there shall ye be also.” His ability to guarantee our safe arrival to the Home He has prepared is no more limited than His ability to prepare the home. Satan may buffet us on the journey, and weakness may beset us, and all the powers of Hell may be combined against us, and, in ourselves, we are unfit and unworthy, but His pledge is - “there shall ye be” - A certain promise, a certain place, a certain people. The Permanence
“I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” - Home forever! I praise Him again, as I consider the permanence of this. Nothing is certain and permanent in this world. Our dearest treasures pass away, and the strongest fortresses crumble with the unceasing pounding of the enemy. The strongest powers decay with the passing of the years, but our Eternal Home is permanent. For many years my evangelistic ministry has taken me away from my loved ones and my home a great deal of the time. Often, when I was home for a few days, the children would say as soon as I arrived, “Daddy, how long will you be home this time?” Just a few fleeting hours, and I was away again. Often it seemed that I was literally leaving my heart behind me. But, oh, what joy when at last we arrive home, never to leave again! The journey then will be ended! Traveling days gone! All that changes and decays, are things of the past! And “I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” No more parting tears! No more sad farewells! No more lingering good-byes! No more disappointments!
“Home at last” on heavenly mountains, Heard the “Come and enter in;”
Saved from earthly taint and sin.
Saved by life’s fair flowing fountains, Free at last from all temptation, No more need of watchful care;
Joyful in complete salvation, Given the victor’s crown to wear.
“Home, sweet home,” our home forever;
All the pilgrim-journey past;
Welcom’d home to wander, never, Saved through Jesus - “Home at last.”
- Mrs. Maria P. A. Crozier The Person “I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Heaven is a place He has prepared for me!
He is preparing it. That adds much to the joy of Heaven - to know that it is the work of His hands. A few days ago both my little girl and boy brought home from school something they had made just for me. Betty brought a little, clay candle-holder and a tallow candle, she had made with her own little hands. Bobby brought from kindergarten the first thing he had ever made with is own hands for his Daddy - a little, clay pencil-holder for my desk. There were the little finger-prints on both these treasures that had been shaped by their hands, and they had been baked and hardened. They are among my most treasured possessions, and they occupy a prominent place on my study desk, and there they shall remain. Oh, they are of little value to another, and would not bring a trifle on the market. But they made them for me, and to me they are priceless. Our heavenly home is wonderful, not only because of its splendor, magnitude, and beauty; but it is His work for me. When I was a child, we used to sing:
“For me, for me, for me, for me, There’s a mansion there, for me, If anybody’s going to be happy up there, It’s me, me, me, me, me.”
Little did I think as a child just what it meant. “For me” - the lost sheep, the one who had “gone astray,” the one who had sinned, and “come short of the glory of God,” the one who was a vile, sinful, guilty, hell-deserving sinner - there is a mansion! “For me” - the one who, even since being saved, has been an “unprofitable servant” - there is a mansion! “For me” - the weak, faltering, failing stumbling, unworthy sinner, saved by His grace - there is a mansion! Just think! Heaven is my home. He is preparing it for me. So it is with no degree of pride that I look to Heaven as my home, but by His matchless grace which passeth our understanding. So, Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people. Are you prepared for the place? Certainly, no works of yours would purchase such a salvation. No garments of your own self-righteousness could stand in His presence. No merit of yours could atone for your sin. Won’t you right now get down on your knees before God, confess your sin to Him, and ask Him for forgiveness? Tell Him that you will here and now receive the Lord Jesus as your personal Saviour; and that by His grace, as an ever-present help, you will follow Him through the journey of life, taking Him as your Shepherd. Then at last you will be counted into the Heavenly Fold to “dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
“The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”