08/31/2024
August 30th, 2024
"The Pearl"
Psalm 23
A psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley,[a]
I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
This Psalms is probably the most famous passage in the Bible. If you are raised Catholic, you would have memorized it and quoted it in church as a congregation. But have you ever really understood it? I want to pull apart verse 4.
As only Spurgeon can write:
This unspeakably delightful verse has been sung on many a dying bed, and has helped to make the dark valley bright times out of mind. Every word in it has a wealth of meaning.
Yea, though I walk, as if the believer did not quicken his pace when he came to die, but still calmly walked with God. To walk indicates the steady advance of a soul which knows its road, knows its end, resolves to follow the path, feels quite safe, and is therefore perfectly calm and composed… (Just think how happy that walk would be!)
Observe that it is not walking in the valley, but through the valley. We go through the dark tunnel of death and emerge into the light of immortality. We do not die, we do but sleep to wake in glory. Death is not the house but the porch, not the goal but the passage to it… (The valley must be beautiful!)
Many a saint has reaped more joy and knowledge when he came to die than he ever knew while he lived. (This is what happens when you give your life to Jesus!) And, then, it is not “the valley of death, “but the valley of the shadow of death, for death in its substance has been removed, and only the shadow of it remains… Nobody is afraid of a shadow, for a shadow cannot stop a man’s pathway even for a moment. The shadow of a dog cannot bite; the shadow of a sword cannot kill; the shadow of death cannot destroy us. Let us not, therefore, be afraid. (We will never see death if we are Children of God!)
I will fear no evil. He does not say there shall not be any evil; he had got beyond even that high assurance, and knew that Jesus had put all evil away; but “I will fear no evil; …not even the Evil One himself; I will not dread the last enemy, I will look upon him as a conquered foe, an enemy to be destroyed, For thou art with me. This is the joy of the Christian! …(No fear, no panic, no anxiety...peace beyond all understanding because Jesus is with us!)
The little child out at sea in the storm is not frightened like all the other passengers on board the vessel, it sleeps in its mother’s bosom; it is enough for it that its mother is with it; and it should be enough for the believer to know that Christ is with him… (What an amazing comfort knowing we are in His arms forever!)
Thy rod and thy staff, by which you govern and rule your flock, the ensigns of your sovereignty and of your gracious care—they comfort me. I will believe that thou reignest still. (God is the Great Protector, Father, and Shepherd)
This verse as I had known it all my life, was always fearful to me and almost morbid. As many times as I have said this verse out loud, it was one that I never got "excited" about and exclaimed with JOY. I didn't really think how important it was! It is how I should be looking at life knowing that I am protected and loved so much forever and ever! Happiness and eternity is just one step away. You just have to ask Him into your heart. Your journey begins and your relationship starts to flourish. And for those that know Him, be sure to let Him take the reigns. He is here.
Lets' Pray,
Lord, We are coming today with our fear and anxiety. We are giving that to you because you are here to protect us. Take our burdens from us. Be with those reading today and let them know that you are God. Walk with us on our little path and lead us to You. Heal those that are sick or hurting. Forgive our pasts, wipe our slates clean today. Help us to hug more, love each other unconditionally and look past our faults. We all have flaws. Give us a great weekend Lord. Keep us safe and warm. Be with our kids and grandkids. Guide them to You with my help! In Jesus name Amen.
Its JOY I CHOOSE!
P.S. Verse 6- When we were little we named our two dogs Goodness and Mercy because they would follow us all the days of our lives...