Parkwood Baptist Church

“For you are with me.”

The Cross makes fellowship possible.  Yesterday we learned that any barriers that stand between us and God have been removed.   This is the act of a Good shepherd that loves His sheep.   Luke 15 tells us that He will leave the 99 sheep to go find the lost one.  It also tells us that He will turn the house upside down to find the one lost coin!  God has spared nothing to make reconciliation possible.  It is the message of the cross!  It is the message of psalm 23…It is the message of the Bible as a whole!

Yet, this is the very thing that the atheist sees as the weakness of our faith in Jesus.  Only fools believe in a God that would go to the cross on behalf of His creation.  But, this is the very thing that calms our fears in the dak times.  Not just the fact that He said He wold always be with us, but that He will do anything to make us into people of character…even if it means going through the valley of the shadow of death.   In fact, the scripture never promises a free pass out of suffering and sorrow.  It only reminds us of the presence of our loving Shepherd who said He would never leave us or forsake us.   This Good Shepherd does not run when the wolf comes.  He says and protects the sheep even if it requires sacrificing His own life…and it did.

Maybe you are thinking…”Okay, we got it…God is with us.”  If you believe that then you will live each day with a refreshing sense of purpose that allows you to rise above your circustances and walk in His wonderous presence!

So, let me remind you, as we continue to journey through this Psalm,

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will not be afraid, for you are with me.”

“For you are with me.”

The Good Shepherd stays with the sheep.   You are not alone.  Someone to be with you…fellowship. That means  a lot.  In order for us to experience the abundant life that God has designed for us we must be able to be in His presense.   That’s how God designed it and He proclaimed it at Christmas by sending Emmanuel…God with us!  Then we are reminded  in our Lenten walk…the cross has made that relationship possible.   Through the sacrifice of  Jesus all barriers to enjoying God’s presense have been removed.  They have been Nailed to the cross.  We have free access to fellowship with God!  Therefore…we will not fear!

It is when we begin to wander that fear begins to creep in.

I am reminded of the Israelites when they were on the edge of the promised land and they were afraid to go in.  The 12 spies had gone in and come back with a report.  Ten said do not go.  Two said go and God will do what He promised.  The people sided with the 10.  God was so upset with them that the ten spies who brought the bad report dropped dead.  The Israelites decided to go but it was too late.  The fellowship had been broken.  Trust was no longer there.  God’s presense was not with them and they were soundly defeated.  God being with us makes all the difference in the world.  But we must choose to remain in His presence.  But, beware, that doesn’t happen all of a sudden.

Remember Peter after Jesus was arrested.  He followed Jesus to the courtyard which is more than most but it says in Mark 14:54, “Peter followed at a distance.”  Putting distance between you and the Savior sets one up for failure.  It was only a matter of time (very short in this case) and Peter had denied even knowing Jesus.

Are you experiencing fear right now?  Why?  If God is with you you should not fear.   Maybe you have allowed a little distance to come between you and Jesus.  Take time today to close the gap…get in close and tighten up the fellowship that casts away every fear.

Blessings!

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.”

I have the Good Shepherd. He watches over me and takes care of me. He keeps me out of trouble and protects me from danger…I do not have to be afraid.  Fear tends to be our worst enemy in life’s journey.  It robs us of the peace that God desires us to enjoy.  It can blur our vision of the situation around us and we can become “glass half empty” people.  Fear also effects our relationships because it causes us to be suspicious of people in our lives.  “What do they want from me?”  This kind of paranoia can destroy friendships and wreak havoc in families.

Fear can also paralyze us.  When we are afraid we tend to freeze in our tracks.  Decisions become impossible for us to make.  We are afraid of what is ahead or what “could” happen so we sit still.  We call it the “deer in the headlights” syndrome.  We simply stand still and allow life to run over us.

In this Psalm, David says even when things are bad he does not fear.  His confidence is in God and, therefore, he is not afraid of evil.  The world can be a dangerous place and there is an enemy that is out there trying to rob us of the abundant life we were created to experience.  Jesus said it this way,

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)

There is a sobering truth that the world has opposing forces that battle for your soul.  It can be a scary thought.  But we can walk in the same confidence as David when we choose Jesus to be our Good Shepherd.  He gives life…abundant life.  The beloved disciple, John gave a great perspective when he said,

“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them (evil in the world), because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)

If God is for us…who can be against us?  We are carefully guarded and watched by the Good Shepherd.  Nothing can stand against Him.  We should “fear no evil”.

Walk this day knowing that the Shepherd is watching over you.  He will protect you.

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…”

Sometimes the world is a dark place.  All of us struggle with times that could be described as shadows in our lives.  They are usually related to events in our lives that cut deep into our emotional storehouses and push us to the limits of our supply.  At those times we find ourselves looking around for some sign of light in our darkness.  It even seems that God…our Good Shepherd, has left us alone.  Our heart is heavy with sorrow and we, at our worst, feel that we are standing on the edge of the “shadow of death”.

As you think about Jesus and His long walk to the cross this season, we must remember that His journey was one filled with moments like that.   How did He feel when the disciples were completely missing the point?   Did He feel loneliness when He was the only one wanting to go to Jerusalem?   How did He feel when the disciples all ran away in the garden?   Where were His friends when He was going through the mock trial?  When the prophet Isaiah described the Messiah (Jesus) He said,

“He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.” (Isaiah 53:3)

Jesus knew what it was like to go “through the valley and He knew what it was like to walk through the “valley of death”.   He is the Good Shepherd.  He has been there before and He knows how you are feeling…even at your lowest moments.  One of those moments was on the nigth He was arrested when He was in the garden of Gethsemane with His disciples.  He had taken Peter, James and John with Him a short distance from the others and He said,

“My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death” (Mark 14:34)

The valley of the shadow of death.  When things are so hard and even painful that our hearts ache under the load…The Shepherd is there.  Not to lead us out of the valley, but to lead us through.  Life has its’ share of suffering and loss.  The shadow of death has made itself known in all of our lives one way or another.   But, “even though I walk through…” the Good Shepherd is with us.

“I will put My Name on them and I will bless them” (Numbers 6:27)

“The blessing of the Lord brings wealth and He adds no trouble to it.” (Proverbs 10:22)

God blesses all who bear His name.  The Scriptures tell us that we are all created “in His image”.   Our very existence bears witness to God’s existence.  We are a living testimony of His work.  The question is, are you experiencing His blessing?

When we respond to God in faith He writes His name on us.  It identifies us as His people.  We need to know then, that God takes care of the things that are His.  He blesses them.  He gives them rest when they are weary.  He brings peace when there is chaos.  He gives hope when there is despair.  All of these things should bring a sense of comfort to our soul on this third Sabbath of our Lenten journey.

Some of us, have a hard time with the principle of Sabbath blessing.  We are waiting for the other shoe to drop.  We are watching out of the corner of our eye for the “catch”.  We are looking over our shoulder for “real life” to over take us.  “Trouble is around every corner”, we say.

Take a look at the Proverb above.  When God blesses there are no strings attached.  He did not put you on the rug just so He could pull it out from under you!  I know…I know…when someone does something for you (blesses you) there is almost always an ulterior motive.  But, can I give you some encouragement straight from the Word of God this Sabbath day.

God has put His name on you and will bless you today…just let Him.

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley…”

Yes, there are valleys.  Wait a minute…what happened to the guide and the “paths of righteousness”?  No one mentioned a “valley” or having to walk through it.  I thought being right with God meant no more valleys.   Can’t we just stay on the mountain top?

No we can’t.  Valleys are not only there, but they are necessary for many reasons.  Much of what we need in our life’s journey is found in the valleys.

We learn, in nature, that the valley is actually a good place.  It is where the resources are.  It is where we find the green pastures and the quiet waters.  Creation tells us that the valleys are some of the most beautiful places.  I think about that when driving down I-81 through the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.  There is a peace in the valley, as the old song says.  So, just as the streams flow down the mountain and into the valley…our lives also, naturally flow to the valley.

We must address, however, what we normally associate with the “valley” when referring to our lives.  We are usually talking about challenging circumstances or even suffering.  Once again, the Scripture gives us a different perspective on this type of valley.  The Apostle Paul is constantly reminding us that the new relationship we have in our Good Shepherd came at great cost.  Our “abundant life” is made possible through the suffering and death of Christ Jesus.  Our wonderful salvation that we enjoy came by the sacrifice that we are meditating on in this Lenten season.  The blessed truths of Psalm 23 are available to you because Jesus was nailed to a cross and walked through the “valley of death” for you.

This should transform how we look at the valley of suffering in our lives.  Sometimes it is necessary for our own good and that of others.  Paul said,

“Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character; and character, hope.” (Romans 5:3,4)

Yes, there will be “valleys”, but be reminded…it is in the valleys that the richest resources are found.  It is in the valleys that we find our strength and recognize that our Good Shepherd is there to take us through.

Maybe you are in a valley today.  Take heart there is a blessing there.

Once again, read through the Psalm today.  Are you experiencing it anew each day?  Do you find that you are beginning to know it even better?  I was only 7 years old when a vacation Bible school teacher challenged us to memorize Psalm 23.  All who did received a New Testament with the Psalms.  I was able to do that and I still have that Bible. Memorizing God’s Word can be a discipline that brings sure rewards (and I don’t mean free Bibles) but “knowing” a passage because you have spent so much time there is even more rewarding.  Can you quote it yet?

“…for His name’s sake.”

The condition of a flock of sheep is a direct reflection of the Shepherd.  Determining whether a shepherd is “good” or “bad” is best done after observing the sheep.  If the sheep are dirty and malnourished we would not give very high ratings.  If there were injured sheep that were not being cared for we would question the level of concern that shepherd had for the sheep.  We do not blame the sheep.  We go to the shepherd.  “What kind of shepherd would let this happen?”  The condition of the sheep directly reflects on the shepherd.

So, it should come as no surprise that these beautiful things God does for us are for “His name’s sake”.  It is God’s reputation that is on the line.  He is the Shepherd and He is the Good Shepherd.  When we see sheep that have no needs unmet…sheep who lie down in green pastures…sheep who are led by quiet waters and whose soul’s are restored…sheep who are guided in paths of righteousness…we must say…”Wow.  Now they have a good shepherd!”

We tend to read and embrace the words of this Psalm for ourselves and our own comfort and that is their purpose, but we must also remember that we receive these wonderful things because the Lord is our Shepherd and He is GOOD!  Your condition as a believer has a direct reflection on the Shepherd.

How has your Shepherd been treating you?  Can others tell that you are under the care of the Good Shepherd?  Does your life showcase the blessings that this Psalm offers?  You are blessed for “His name’s sake”.  This is about God and how wonderful He is!

So, read the Psalm again.  This time read it focused on what is says about the Shepherd and not just what it says about the sheep.  I think you will find that you will say…”Wow.  We have a Good Shepherd!”

“He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake”

A good guide has a destination and knows the best way to get there.  A great guide not only gets you there but makes sure the journey itself is pleasant.  The destination for our life as a believer is eternity with God.  But, The Good Shepherd desires that you go through this life in “paths of righteousness”.   Heaven will be a wonderful blessing and it is one that we look forward to but this life is to be a blessing as well.   This happens when we follow our guide in righteousness.

What differentiates a righteous path?  Is it a path that is full of good works?  In the Scriptures it tells us that righteous deeds are a testimony of a believers relationship with God.  Jesus said, “by their fruits you will know them”.  However, the Bible also tells us that these “good deeds” are the result of a right relationship to God.  Righteousness in the Word is about the state of our relationship to God.  To be right with God is to be righteous.  Good works are the natural “fruit” of that restored relationship.

So, today we allow our beloved Psalm 23 to take us to the cross again.  It is through the sacrifice of the cross that we can have right relationship with our Shepherd.  Our sin breaks fellowship with God.  When Jesus died on the cross He removed the barrier of sin that kept us from righteousness.  He “cleared the path” so to speak.  But, He not only removed that which would keep us from heaven but the all that would keep us from enjoying the life that we are living now.  In the same passage that Jesus talked about being the Good Shepherd He talked about His purpose,

“But I have come that you might have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10)

The Good Shepherd wants to lead you in paths of righteousness today.  That begins with you getting the relationship right.  Spend some time in prayer asking God what needs to happen for you to experience the abundant life He has planned for you.

Today, what path are you walking?

“He guides me in paths of righteousness…”

Read through Psalm 23 today slowly.  Allow it to refresh you with the assurance of the Lord’s presence.  He is your Shepherd.

The Good Shepherd guides us.  But let me remind you that we can choose whether to follow that guidance or not.  In fact, the root of our sinful nature comes from the refusal to follow God’s guidance.  Remember our heritage from the garden of Eden?  God had given specific guidance but it was rejected and we have continued in that rebellion since.  Our sin is that we believe that we know a better path.  I sometimes do that with my GPS.  It will be directing on a certain route and I will disagree, “I know a better way” or “Yes, you can go that way but I know a quicker route”.  We, as humans, have a harder time than we will admit when it comes to following directions.

So, how can we do this?  How can we keep from straying from the directions God gives us?  More importantly…how can we know and receive God’s directions?  This same question is posed in Psalm 119:9,

“How can a young person stay on the path of purity?  By living according to Your Word.”

The most important thing that we can do is stay connected to God’s Word.  The Psalmist goes on to say, “Your Word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path” (Ps. 119:105).  The Scriptures contain God’s instruction or directions for our daily living.  The principles that we find are timeless and give us guidance.  But, this requires us to read it, study it, and think about it.

Secondly, we must ask God for His guidance.  There is the well known Scripture in James 4:2 that says, “You do not have because you do not ask God”.  Why do we NOT ask God for guidance?  Well, some may not ask because we really don’t want to know.  Or maybe we do not think that God cares about where we are going?

Let Psalm 23 speak to your heart today.  God is the Good Shepherd.  He does care and He desires to guide you in the paths of righteousness.  Will you re-commit yourself to pray and read His Word and follow His guidance?  I know you may think you have a better way…but His is the best for you.