How are you? How was your Labor Day? How are you doing in spirit?
Whether you’re in plenty or in need, listen to these words from Sunday again:
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
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.
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.
It’s tempting for me to end the Word of Encouragement right here. These words are all the encouragement we need. They are water for the thirsty, food for the hungry, strength for the weary, and hope for the hopeless.
Is Jesus this Shepherd for you? Are you in His care and provision? Are you under His protection? Are you in the comfort of His presence? If so, you can say with David, “Surely, goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.â€
How can He be your Shepherd? It’s by trusting in Him as your Savior. He is the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for you, the sheep.
You are not in want, because Christ was in want on the cross. You can drink from still waters, because Christ thirsted on the cross. You can fear no evil in the valley of the shadow of death, because Christ went through the valley of not only a shadow but through death itself. You can be comforted by the rod of God’s protection, because Christ was cursed by the rod of God’s judgment. Your cup can overflow, because Christ drank completely the cup of God’s wrath for you. You can dwell in the house of the Lord forever, because Christ was exiled from the Father on the cross. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?â€- the words of Psalm 22. Psalm 23 can be a reality for you, because Psalm 22 was a reality for Christ on the cross.
Trust in this Shepherd. Trust in His work accomplished for you, and enjoy the blessings we have in Him. Lastly, share it. Share it with a world that’s hungry and thirsty. Share it with a world that is in darkness. Share it with a world that is dying and is in desperate need for this truth.
We have our Romans study on Friday Nights at 7:30pm. You are more than welcome to join us! If not, see you for our Sabbath worship on Sunday.
In Christ,
Pastor Tim
Image source: thepsalter.com