____________________________________________________ THE GOSPEL OBSERVER ____________________________________________________ "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19,20). ____________________________________________________ July 6, 2003 ____________________________________________________ Psalm 23 by Tom Edwards Perhaps one of the most quoted and memorized psalms of the Bible is that which is also referred to as the "Shepherd Psalm" -- Psalm 23. It is certainly a vivid one that after having heard, even in our early youth, will long reside in our memory -- if not verbatim (for its six verses), at least the gist of it (which is brought out in the very first verse), along with a paraphrase-remembrance of verses 2 through 6 that give various examples of the ways in which verse 1 is so. Though shepherds were detestable to the Egyptians of Joseph's day (Gen. 46:34), shepherding was a very common occupation during the time of the Bible's backdrop (for the Old and New Testaments). One of the first generation of people born into this world, Abel, is said to have been "a keeper of flocks" (Gen. 4:2); and David, who wrote Psalm 23, is also noted for having been one in his youth -- and truly a dedicated one at that. For when even a lion or bear would come to take one of the sheep, David would go after it, kill the vicious animal and, thus, rescue the sheep from the trap-like jaws of the would-be devourer (1 Sam. 17:33-37). It would seem that one reason for the ability to remember Psalm 23 so well is because we can easily identify with the relationship the sheep has to its shepherd. For it is similar to the relationship that we, as God's people, have toward the Lord; and, therefore, God's people are often referred to in the Bible as being the Lord's sheep; and He, as being their Shepherd. Psalm 100:3, for instance, states: "Know that the Lord Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture." One common characteristic of sheep is that they are extremely dumb animals that can easily go astray and become lost; and, similarly, even the man with the highest IQ is really pretty ignorant compared to the far-surpassing wisdom of God (Isa. 55:8,9) and can also easily become lost (spiritually), without the proper guidance from the Lord (Jer. 10:23; Prov. 14:12; 1 Cor. 1:19-21). As 1 Kings 22:17 states: "I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, like sheep which have no shepherd...." And Isaiah writes, "All of us like sheep have gone astray..." (Isa. 53:6). One helpful trait of the sheep, however, is his ability to recognize his master's call -- whether it be of the shepherd's own voice or an instrument of some sort that the shepherd would use to summon his flock. Because of this, many shepherds could allow their different flocks to graze together in a thick, green pasture or on a rolling, grassy hillside; but then, at the close of the day, the shepherds could each make their own distinguishing sound, which would beckon the sheep to leave the other flocks in order for each flock to follow its own shepherd to their own particular fold. In speaking about His own people, Jesus states, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them; and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish; and no one shall snatch them out of My hand" (Jn. 10:27,28). We note two conditions here for having eternal life: 1) a person must hear God's word, and 2) that person must follow the Lord by obeying His word. If so, that individual will never perish. To not hear, or to not follow, however, would disqualify the person of this promise. For sin is the one and only thing that can separate us from the love of God. Verse 1 David begins his psalm with the acknowledgment that "The Lord is my shepherd." What joy should be in -- and radiate from -- the heart of every person with whom such a confession is true! In turning to John 10:11,14, Christ is portrayed as not only a shepherd, but also as a "good shepherd...who lays down His life for the sheep" -- and which is done, as inferred, out of His great concern for the flock (vv. 12,13). As stated above, all who hear and follow Jesus can make the statement that "The Lord is my shepherd." How personal. David shows that it was not merely that the Lord is A shepherd, but that he is MY shepherd. With the Lord for his shepherd, the psalmist says, "I shall not want"; or, in other words, he would not lack; for his needs would be met. In Psalm 34:9,10, David writes: "O fear the Lord, you His saints; For to those who fear Him, there is no want. The young lions do lack and suffer hunger; But they who seek the Lord shall not be in want of any good thing." So, again, it is conditional; as Psalm 84:11 also shows: "...The Lord gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly." We find this principle throughout the OT (cf. Deut. 28), as well as in the NT (cf. Matt. 6:30-33). Verse 2 The Lord's flock, who would not lack, are seen as being led to green pastures and quiet waters (Psa. 23:2). What more ideal place could there be for a sheep? In similar fashion, the Lord's people "...will not hunger or thirst, neither will the scorching heat or sun strike them down; for He who has compassion on them will lead them to springs of water" (Isa. 49:10). Jesus came that His people "...might have life, and might have it abundantly" (Jn. 10:10); and He gave of His own life that that might be possible (v. 11). This is not to say that the psalmist was not aware of the struggles of life and its sufferings, but how slight and temporal they seem in view of God's eternal life. This was also Paul's perspective. He states in 2 Corinthians 4:17, "For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison...." He was able to see the good in his affliction that would help him toward his goal. Being a Christian, therefore, doesn't remove us from the struggles of life; but it can make them more bearable. Verse 3 As David continues in his psalm, he declares that God "restores my soul." David was "a man after God's own heart," but yet also a man who had fallen into great sin. It began with lust: seeing a woman unclothed. It led to covetousness, adultery, deceitfulness, and even murder -- a terrible mark on David's soul. But God has the power to forgive and to cleanse. That power is in His word: "The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul..." (Psa. 19:7). The gospel is "the power of God for salvation" to all who believe (Rom. 1:16). It instructs how one can be "born again" (Jn. 3:3-5). Peter writes, "Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and abiding word of God" (1 Pet. 1:22,23). Paul shows that because of the Lord's mercy and love, "...even when we were dead in our transgressions, [God] made us alive together with Christ..." (Eph. 2:4,5). "Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come" (2 Cor. 5:17). So just as the green pastures and quiet waters can restore the vim, vigor, and vitality of the weary sheep, even more so will God renew those who turn to Him. Let us remember, too, that even if we did not commit the same sins as David, still, we also have had a need for restoration: as partially seen above, "All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way..." (Isa. 53:6). "...'There is none righteous, not even one...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:10-23). Any accountable person who has transgressed even one of God's laws is like a sheep that has wandered astray and needs to be restored. "...He guides me in the path of righteousness For His name's sake" (Psa. 23:3). What is righteousness? The psalmist answers that in his declaration to God: "...all Thy commandments are righteousness" (Psalms 119:172). In addition, the apostle John indicates that righteousness is not a mere state of mind, but also a way of life. For to be righteous, one must practice righteousness (1 Jn. 3:7). To not do so, makes one not of God (v. 10). Verse 4 "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil..." (Psa. 23:4). With Saul's many attempts at taking David's life, David was well aware of the nearness of his demise. He states in 1 Sam. 20:3, "...there is hardly a step between me and death." However, with Christ on our side, we need not be afraid of death. Jesus states, "And do not fear those who kill the body, but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell" (Matt. 10:28). It is because the Lord took on a human body to become an atoning sacrifice that we can have this courage. For through His suffering at Calvary, Jesus is able to "deliver those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives" (Heb. 2:14,15). Perhaps another application can be made with Psalm 23:4 as well. Could we not also think of it as symbolizing any crisis, great danger, suffering, or other trials and temptations that we must face? Years ago, I saw a religious paper that had a drawing of a young man walking through a city that was lined, on both sides of the street, with immoral businesses, such as X-rated movie houses, liquor stores, gambling casinos, strip clubs, adult book stores, etc. The caption underneath read: "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death...." That's how these places might seem to the child of God, walking past them. Places of ill repute can lead to sin and immorality, which, in turn, leads to a death much worse than physical death -- spiritual death (Jms. 1:14,15). So whereas the words of Christ can give life (Jn. 6:63), businesses that commercialize on sin can be like a lure or a trap, which can snuff out one's spiritual life, if that one yields to the temptation (Jms. 1:13-16). Though Jesus prayed that His apostles would be protected from the evil in the world (Jn. 17:15), they would still need to use common sense to not put themselves into tempting situations that could be detrimental to their relationship with God. The Christian is to "walk circumspectly" (Eph. 5:15, KJV). The latter word literally means to be watchful on all sides. The NASB translates this verse as to "be careful how you walk"; and both versions point out that this should be done "not as fools, but as wise." Looking to the Lord and being on His side gives us courage, boldness, and strength: "I fear no evil; for Thou art with me..." (Prov. 23:4). Elsewhere, the psalmist states: "I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me round about" (Psa. 3:6). No matter how dark the world becomes, the Christian need not fear. Even when we are afflicted from every side -- for nothing can separate us from the love of God (Rom. 8:31,35-39). Plus, having Christ illuminates our way. As He Himself explains: "...I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life" (Jn. 8:12). Jesus gave the comforting words to His apostles that He would be with them "always, even to the end of the age" (Matt. 28:20). For those who do the Father's will, He and Jesus will make their abode with such a one (Jn. 14:23). Much assurance we can have in simply knowing that God is with us. Also in Psalm 23:4: "Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me." These items typify God's great care and protection for His own. The rod could be used for fighting off vicious animals who are attempting to go after the flock, while the staff (with its crooked neck) could be used for rescuing a sheep that has become dangerously stuck on a narrow ledge over a precipice. To the Christian, God's word is like a "sword" that we can defend ourselves with (Eph. 6:17; Matt. 4:1-11), and which is also the means whereby the Lord can bring faith, comfort, assurance, and hope into our lives (Rom. 10:17; 15:3; 1 Jn. 15:13). God's word also accouters us with the proper spiritual "armor" that we may be protected from the onslaught of temptation and sin, from the crafty schemes of the devil, and from the spiritual forces of wickedness (Eph. 6:10-18). Verse 5 God's word cannot be bound. Even in the midst of many enemies, one can still rejoice in the spiritual feast for those who love the Lord. This is well illustrated by Paul and Silas who, after being beaten and cast into the inner prison, prayed to God and praised Him in song (Acts 16:23-25). Their bodies could be confined behind bars, but not their souls or their spirits that were soaring free by the word of the Lord. "Thou dost prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies..." (Psa. 23:5). Even in the midst of persecution, the Christian can still be basking in the sunshine of God's love. Consider the apostles, who after being flogged, incarcerated, and then released, "...went on their way...rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name" (Acts 5:40,41). Verse 6 What better way could the psalmist express this overwhelming and joyful experience of having the Lord for his shepherd than by the remaining words? "Thou has anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever" (Psa. 23:5,6). This truly is the hope of every Christian (2 Cor. 5:1-5; Jn. 14:1-4,19) and will be the fulfillment, if we strive to keep Jesus as the Great Shepherd in our lives and hear and follow His call (Jn. 10:27,28). We can enjoy the goodness of the Lord now, while we also realize that the best is yet to come -- in eternal glory! But this all begins with becoming a part of the Lord's flock. Is the Lord, therefore, your Shepherd? If not, then why not leave the briars of sin and the dry gulch of spiritual void in your life in order to enjoy the luxurious, green pastures and the refreshing, quiet waters of our Great Shepherd who is concerned of every lost sheep who has wandered away from His fold. You will never find anything else that can even come close to the great abundance that Jesus has to freely offer you -- if you will simply, like a humble sheep, "hear" and "follow." ____________________________________________________ News & Notes Luther has requested prayer for his brother, A. M. Shuff, of St. Bernard Parish. He is 92 years old and hasn't been able to walk for the last couple years. He suffers from swollen feet, arthritis, and probably other physical problems as well. The Gospel Meeting in Lafayette will begin next Sunday (July 13) with R. J. Evans preaching. They will meet at 7:30 through the weeknights. ____________________________________________________ MYRTLE STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST 1022 Myrtle Street Denham Springs, LA 70726 (225) 664-8208 Sunday: 9:15 AM, 10:00 AM, 4:00 PM Wednesday: 7:00 PM evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (225) 667-4520 e-mail: tedwards@onemain.com web site: http://home.onemain.com/~tedwards/go ____________________________________________________