Psalm chapter 23.
John’s Gospel ch10 vs1 – 18.
This Psalm is one of the most quoted and favourite passages
of scripture for many people. It is very well known as a song, and has prompted
many works of art.
Why? … Because it promises what so many people long for but
cannot find in today's world.
It contains:
vs1) At peace, and
lacking nothing
vs2/3) Divine guidance, leading you onwards
vs4) Total protection, fearing no evil
vs4) His abiding presence – thou art with me
vs4) Comfort, through The Good Shepherd’s rod and staff
protecting and guiding
vs6) Eternal joy – dwelling in the house of The Lord for ever!
Who would not want to have these rich promises in their
life?!
So many people do indeed long for these, but search in all
the wrong places of this world for them.
It is a Psalm that brings comfort to those when in times of
distress, but all too often fail to see the key phrase.
It is not in just the singing or hearing of it that brings
lasting comfort – but in the knowing of the one and true God that this Psalm
speaks of …
“The Lord is my shepherd”.
David, the writer, knew The Lord as his shepherd and so
could go on to write the following verses - a hymn of praise!. A good shepherd never leaves or
mistreats his flock, and will always do what is right.
Reader, can I ask who is your Shepherd?
Who do you trust above all else?
Who is bringing you absolute assurance in this life here, and for
your next life in Eternity?
If your faith and trust is in yourself, or a friend, perhaps
a family member, or a business colleague, then none of these can ever deliver
the promises and blessings of this Psalm.
People can never find complete fulfilment in or through
others - and on a bigger and more serious picture – many are still hoping that
their “good deeds” will bring them into Heaven.
The Word of God clearly tells
us that this is futile.
“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our
righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like
the wind our sins sweep us away”
- Isaiah ch64 vs6.
Therefore, the real issue is not in knowing this Psalm off
by heart, but rather do you personally know The Lord as YOUR Shepherd?
David had total confidence in writing this Psalm – because
He did know his Lord.
He, like all of us, was incapable of finding these rich
promises without divine help.
vs6 is a most wonderful promise! We are nothing but Hell
deserving sinners, but God in His great love, grace and mercy does not treat us
as we deserve, instead offering anyone a home in Heaven through accepting His
Son, Jesus Christ as your Saviour!
Onto the passage in John’s Gospel many years later, and the
people of this day knowing this Psalm now heard its message delivered like never before.
The Lord Jesus Christ explained that people were like
vulnerable sheep facing great dangers and needed a shepherd.
Then Christ really shook them up when he clearly and simply
told them (vs11) ...
“I am the the good shepherd, the good shepherd giveth his
life for the sheep”!
The Lord Jesus Christ is the true shepherd of Psalm ch23!
He came from Heaven, born of a virgin, in order to live a
perfect, holy, sinless life, so that he could then lay that life down as a
sinless sacrifice for all of our sins.
Each one of us are the sheep that He came to seek and to save!
“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every
one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all”.
- Isaiah ch53 vs6.
God took all our sins and placed them on His only begotten
Son, Jesus Christ, in His crucifixion on Calvary ’s
Cross.
In the person of The Lord Jesus Christ, we are offered all
the promises of Psalm ch23.
We are each invited to receive life in all its fullness
through knowing Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour.
(vs14) “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am
known of mine”.
By accepting Jesus Christ as your Saviour, repenting of your
sinful way of life, you will be completely forgiven of all your sins, cleansed
by His blood that He shed on The Cross for you.
No longer facing condemnation and an eternal Hell, but made
fit to enter into Heaven through faith in His atoning work at Calvary !
“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the
only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent”.
- John’s Gospel ch17 vs3.
Life need not be fearful even though you may be “walking
through the valley of the shadow of death” … God is in the valley with you and
has defeated death!
Dear reader, God loves YOU ever so much that His beloved Son
died for you and He wants you to be with Him in Heaven for ever!
Are you still clinging onto a false shepherd who cannot
deliver?
Will you be found wanting in a soon coming day - when it
will be too late for ever to call upon The Good Shepherd and be saved for
eternity?
Tonight, accept the real Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ, and
put your faith and trust in Him as your real Saviour
“Get right with God for life is sad and dreary,
Without the sunshine of His face divine.
Turn now to Him who offers untold blessing,
to satisfy the needs of souls like thine”.
No comments:
Post a Comment