December, 1945
Shepherd, stands between us and all that would threaten to harm us. He is between us and danger; between us and trouble; between us and death, and none of these things can touch us without passing first through Him.
P
"Never a heartache and never a groan, Never a teardrop and never a moan, Never a danger, but there on the throne, Moment by moment He thinks of His own.”
There are two outlines of the Twenty-Third Psalm that may be suggested here. The first one has to do with Christ’s protecting care for His own. With me ............. "the Lord” (v. 1). Beneath me -— ..."green pastures” (v. 2). After me .............“ goodness and mercy” (v. 6). Beyond me „ ___ "the house of the Lord” (v. 6). In life, in death, and in eternity, the one who trusts in Christ is absolutely safe. The Shepherd’s Provision There is a second outline of the Twenty-Third Psalm that shows the precious provision that is to be found in Christ. There are six words, each one beginning with the letter “ P.” 1. Possession. “The Lord is my shepherd.” You will note that in most Bibles the word "Lord,” in Psalm 23:1, is printed in capital letters. This is to in dicate that the word really is Jehovah, "the self-existent One, the eternal I AM.” How wonderful it is that the Lord in His might, the Lord in His majesty, the Lord in His glory, is my Shepherd! To say that the Lord is a Shepherd is pictorial; to say that He is the Shepherd is appreciative; but ;to say that He is my Shepherd is al together satisfying in its deepest implications. A colporteur, going through Switzerland, saw a little shepherd boy minding his flock. Taking out his Bible, the man tried to teach the little fellow to read the Twenty-Third Psalm, but he failed. The boy could learn only the first five words, and he memorized these by saying them on his five fingers, a finger for each word: “'The Lord is my shepherd.” The colporteur left him, and it was not until four years later that he was able to return. He was interested to know about the boy, and sought him out in his home. The child’s mother received him graciously, and when she found he was the man who had taught her son the Scripture verse, she said with tears: “My boy is dead, but he said that if I ever saw you, I should tell you that he died holding the fourth finger of his hand—‘The Lord is my shepherd.’ ” 2. Position. "He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.” It is said that a hungry sheep never w ill lie down. The fact that it does so is an indication that it is satisfied. We are told also that sheep will not drink from turbulent waters, but only from a quiet source. It is in the quiet times of the day—especially during the early morning watch—that the Lord speaks to our hearts and makes known to us the deepest lessons. In Christ there is not only salvation, but also com plete satisfaction. He desires that we shall know the secret of the quiet place, suggested by the “still waters,” that we may enter into a deeper, experimental knowledge of Him. We may say triumphantly: "Jesus, I am resting, resting, In the joy of what Thou art; I am finding out the greatness Of Thy loving heart.” 3. Promise. “He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” Beside me ______ “still waters” (v. 2). Before me ______ "the table’’ (v. 5).
"He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in kis bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young" (Isa. 40:11). Restoration and salvation should not be confused. The sinner who comes to Christ in faith and accepts His atoning work on his behalf becomes a new creature in Christ Jesus (2 Cor. 5:17; John 5:24). He is "born again,” and does not thereafter lose his salvation, though he may lose the joy of salvation. In that sense we are: But—“he restoreth.” The manner in which Christ re stores us to fellowship is shown in 1 John 1:9: " If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” His restoration of us is for a purpose—to' lead us in paths of righteousness. One cannot be restored, and sit idly with folded arms. The latter condition would be worse than the first. When the Lord restored Peter, He also commissioned him: “ Feed my sheep...feed my lambs.” 4. Progress. "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death; 1 will fear no evil: for thou' art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” There are two applications of this verse. The first has to do with the experience of physical death. With that thought in mind, what a sweet message this is! The verse says that " I walk” at that time. I do not run, as though I were afraid, but I walk with all the confidence of a child in the company of a strong father. One does not tarry in the valley; he walks through. There is no gloom; it is not the dark valley, as it is often called, but “the. .valley of the shadow”—and shadows presuppose light. When we pass through the shadow, the Light of the world w ill Himself be at our side! ' There is a second meaning in this verse, and it has to do with the life of the Christian here on earth. The Psalm implies that, spiritually, there is a death that is necessary and desirable. Paul said, “Ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God” (Col. 3:3). To ex perience this kind of death will be painful to the carnal nature; but in this, too, the believer may say with joy, (Continued on Page 466) •■v./A "Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it; Prone to leave the God I love.”
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