Post by Benjamin on Nov 8, 2013 2:05:30 GMT
So... I decided this morning that I might share a few of the things I've written in my journal over the years (which comes with me every time I go to church, and usually contains notes entirely irrelevant to the sermon, but inspired BY the sermon (what can I say, I have my own train of thought)).
So.. here you go. Psalm 23.
Psalm 23 contains the very heart of the gospel. This world, and all of its religions, contain a singular pattern, in which we find detailed mankind's desperate attempts to reach out and obtain The Divine. This, of course, stems from the very first sin in the Bible, and from the fall, as mankind continually, repeatedly seeks to "be like God" (Genesis 3:5).
Paslm 23, in stark contrast, presents to us one who is content in Christ.
"The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want", says the Psalmist. Christ alone satisfies in man the desire for the Divine, his need for something greater than this world. Only in Christ are man and God reconciled and made One. We are "united in Him", Paul says (Romans 6:5), we "live with Him" (Romans 6:8), and are "alive to God in Christ" (Romans 6:11). It is in Christ, and only in Christ, that God Himself reaches down to man, and leads us, like a Shepherd.
"We all, like sheep, have gone astray", God tells us in Isaiah 53:6. "Each of us has turned to his own way". Unlike those who vainly seek to attain to God without Christ, however, we are not left to find out own way back. "The Lord is my Shepherd", the Psalmist says, "I shall not want". This is the message of Christ to a lost and fallen world: "Search no more. Want no more." "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life". "Follow Me."
What a beautiful concept!
This, of course, is not to suggest that the path is easy. "Narrow is the path... and few there are who find it", Jesus says (Matthew 7:13-14). That path, we know, leads through the "Valley of the Shadow of Death" (Psalm 23:4), yet the rod, held in the firm, sure hand of Jesus Christ, not only fends off those who would attack us on the journey, but also disciplines us, comforts us and guides us (Psalm 23:4). Jesus says "I am the light of the world" (John 8:12). "Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but have the light of life". Likewise Psalm 119 tells us that "Your Word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path". We may walk a narrow path, surrounded by darkness - but we have an everlasting light! A light that shows us where we are now ("a lamp to my feet") and where we are destined ("a light to my path"). Is this not our God? Is it not so like Him to convict ("thy rod and thy staff"), to lay bare our hearts before Him ("Search me, O God, and know my heart" (Psalm 139:23)), to illuminate our very being - but then... most importantly, then, to LEAD? "Christ, the firstfruits, then after that, those who belong to Him" (1 Corinthians 15:23)!
And what, then, of the destination?
The destination is clear! "You anoint my head with oil", the Psalmist says, "And I will dwell in the House of the Lord forever!". This is the story of Christ and His sheep - from the cross to the crown! "You made them a Kingdom and Priests for our God. They will rule as Kings on the earth." (Revelation 5:10).
..."And He who testifies to these things says, 'Yes, I am coming soon!'.
Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!"
So.. here you go. Psalm 23.
The Lord: the Shepherd of His People
A Psalm of David.
The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
3 He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
4 Yea, 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.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.
A Psalm of David.
The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
3 He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
4 Yea, 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.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.
Psalm 23 contains the very heart of the gospel. This world, and all of its religions, contain a singular pattern, in which we find detailed mankind's desperate attempts to reach out and obtain The Divine. This, of course, stems from the very first sin in the Bible, and from the fall, as mankind continually, repeatedly seeks to "be like God" (Genesis 3:5).
Paslm 23, in stark contrast, presents to us one who is content in Christ.
"The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want", says the Psalmist. Christ alone satisfies in man the desire for the Divine, his need for something greater than this world. Only in Christ are man and God reconciled and made One. We are "united in Him", Paul says (Romans 6:5), we "live with Him" (Romans 6:8), and are "alive to God in Christ" (Romans 6:11). It is in Christ, and only in Christ, that God Himself reaches down to man, and leads us, like a Shepherd.
"We all, like sheep, have gone astray", God tells us in Isaiah 53:6. "Each of us has turned to his own way". Unlike those who vainly seek to attain to God without Christ, however, we are not left to find out own way back. "The Lord is my Shepherd", the Psalmist says, "I shall not want". This is the message of Christ to a lost and fallen world: "Search no more. Want no more." "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life". "Follow Me."
What a beautiful concept!
This, of course, is not to suggest that the path is easy. "Narrow is the path... and few there are who find it", Jesus says (Matthew 7:13-14). That path, we know, leads through the "Valley of the Shadow of Death" (Psalm 23:4), yet the rod, held in the firm, sure hand of Jesus Christ, not only fends off those who would attack us on the journey, but also disciplines us, comforts us and guides us (Psalm 23:4). Jesus says "I am the light of the world" (John 8:12). "Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but have the light of life". Likewise Psalm 119 tells us that "Your Word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path". We may walk a narrow path, surrounded by darkness - but we have an everlasting light! A light that shows us where we are now ("a lamp to my feet") and where we are destined ("a light to my path"). Is this not our God? Is it not so like Him to convict ("thy rod and thy staff"), to lay bare our hearts before Him ("Search me, O God, and know my heart" (Psalm 139:23)), to illuminate our very being - but then... most importantly, then, to LEAD? "Christ, the firstfruits, then after that, those who belong to Him" (1 Corinthians 15:23)!
And what, then, of the destination?
The destination is clear! "You anoint my head with oil", the Psalmist says, "And I will dwell in the House of the Lord forever!". This is the story of Christ and His sheep - from the cross to the crown! "You made them a Kingdom and Priests for our God. They will rule as Kings on the earth." (Revelation 5:10).
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”
- Revelation 22:1-5
5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”
- Revelation 22:1-5
..."And He who testifies to these things says, 'Yes, I am coming soon!'.
Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!"
