Submitted by Brian on Fri, 28/11/2008 - 16:32
What will 2009 be, a year of uncertainty? Will the level of assurance be at an all time low, with economic turmoil? Where can we look for some instant assurance. Without the slightest doubt Psalm 23 is the Pearl of all Psalms, perhaps the simplest and sweetest of all of the songs ever sung.
Personally, this psalm has been very close to me this past week. You know how it is, when something for no apparent reason starts rattling around your head. And yet this lovely psalm is so often reserved for funerals and times of sadness and need! When in reality it is a song of loving assurance, with its own unique message for each of us. In just six simple, but all embracing verses we have a perfect picture of God in His relationship with His own. And here too we have to be careful, the Shepherd is in the indeed the Lord Himself and the sheep, it not us in the plural sense! No! The sheep is ME or YOU, the relationship between God, the shepherd and the sheep here is intensely individual and personal but not in a selfish way It is generally thought that the figure represented throughout is God the good Shepherd, but let me try and suggest to you what perhaps a new outline is:
By this psalm many have lived and what is the theme; The Valley that leads to the Hill. Pointing clearly to Calvary and as for the Shadow of death, the shadow of a redeeming Saviour’s cross.
SO DON’T WAIT UNTIL YOU ARE FEELING DEPRESSED OR PERHAPS GRIEVING BEFORE YOU READ AND TAKE THE THOUGHTS OF THIS PSALM TO HEART - IT’S A PSALM FOR EVERY SINGLE DAY OF YOUR LIFE ON THIS PRESENT JOURNEY THROUGH THE WILDERNESS OF 21st CENTURY LIFE. BE ENCOURAGED AND UPLIFTED BY IT DURING 2009.
‘When hope is alive, the night is less dark, the solitude less deep, fear less acute.’
What will 2009 be, a year of uncertainty? Will the level of assurance be at an all time low, with economic turmoil? Where can we look for some instant assurance. Without the slightest doubt Psalm 23 is the Pearl of all Psalms, perhaps the simplest and sweetest of all of the songs ever sung.
Personally, this psalm has been very close to me this past week. You know how it is, when something for no apparent reason starts rattling around your head. And yet this lovely psalm is so often reserved for funerals and times of sadness and need! When in reality it is a song of loving assurance, with its own unique message for each of us. In just six simple, but all embracing verses we have a perfect picture of God in His relationship with His own. And here too we have to be careful, the Shepherd is in the indeed the Lord Himself and the sheep, it not us in the plural sense! No! The sheep is ME or YOU, the relationship between God, the shepherd and the sheep here is intensely individual and personal but not in a selfish way It is generally thought that the figure represented throughout is God the good Shepherd, but let me try and suggest to you what perhaps a new outline is:
- Verses 1 & 2, "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters." We indeed do see God as the good Shepherd and His sheep.
- Verses 3 & 4, " He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." We see God as the Guide and this time we are not sheep, but travellers on our journey through life.
- Verses 5 & 6, "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever." God is here seen as the Host and we the guests.
- His PROVISION for His own
- His DIRECTION and guidance
- His COMMUNION with His people.
By this psalm many have lived and what is the theme; The Valley that leads to the Hill. Pointing clearly to Calvary and as for the Shadow of death, the shadow of a redeeming Saviour’s cross.
SO DON’T WAIT UNTIL YOU ARE FEELING DEPRESSED OR PERHAPS GRIEVING BEFORE YOU READ AND TAKE THE THOUGHTS OF THIS PSALM TO HEART - IT’S A PSALM FOR EVERY SINGLE DAY OF YOUR LIFE ON THIS PRESENT JOURNEY THROUGH THE WILDERNESS OF 21st CENTURY LIFE. BE ENCOURAGED AND UPLIFTED BY IT DURING 2009.
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