WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.940 Let's pray. 00:00:05.940 --> 00:00:19.240 Oh Lord, even the grass of these green pastures, it fades, but your word stands forever. 00:00:19.240 --> 00:00:20.000 ! 00:00:20.000 --> 00:00:28.000 Lord, we pray that you will minister as this good shepherd in the midst of your congregation, 00:00:28.000 --> 00:00:29.980 ! through your word, by the word of your word, by the word of your word, by the word of your 00:00:29.980 --> 00:00:31.980 word of your word, by the word of your word. 00:00:31.980 --> 00:00:37.980 I pray that you will please heal where there are wounds that need healing. 00:00:37.980 --> 00:00:43.980 Please feed where there are souls that are hungry and thirsty. 00:00:43.980 --> 00:00:49.079 Please restore the souls that need to be restored this moment, Lord. 00:00:49.079 --> 00:00:52.920 Do all of this for your name's sake, we pray. 00:00:52.920 --> 00:00:54.920 Amen. 00:00:55.899 --> 00:01:03.240 Well, as human beings, we naturally long for what is good and we naturally avoid what is bitter. 00:01:04.439 --> 00:01:09.060 There was a Christian in the 1600s in England named John Durant. 00:01:10.820 --> 00:01:15.460 It was a time of persecution and eventually being kicked out of their church building. 00:01:17.219 --> 00:01:23.740 And he reflected on how there are so many idols and temptations snagging the hearts of God's people. 00:01:23.739 --> 00:01:25.899 And he wrote these words. 00:01:27.519 --> 00:01:32.959 Satan seems sweet. He smiles and is pleasant to you while you sin. 00:01:33.579 --> 00:01:35.679 But no, he'll be bitter in the end. 00:01:36.280 --> 00:01:41.599 He that sings siren like now will devour lion like at last. 00:01:41.919 --> 00:01:48.259 He'll torment you and vex you and he will be burning and bitterness to you in the end. 00:01:48.260 --> 00:01:56.960 Isn't it true that as we think about God and even our motives for coming to the house of God today, 00:01:57.140 --> 00:02:08.460 it's because we need this reminder so regularly that God is good far above anything else this world has to offer. 00:02:08.460 --> 00:02:11.900 And our wondering hearts want to hold on to things of this world. 00:02:12.540 --> 00:02:17.520 We want to chase after these idols that will lead us away from him. 00:02:18.260 --> 00:02:24.060 And what a privilege and a joy to simply read through this glorious psalm one more time, 00:02:24.719 --> 00:02:30.219 reminding ourselves, receiving and trusting in this truth about God today. 00:02:30.219 --> 00:02:34.359 So beloved congregation of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:02:35.319 --> 00:02:42.979 Today, I want to show you God's goodness in the six scenes that David has set out before us today. 00:02:43.599 --> 00:02:51.039 The superscription to each psalm is also inspired and preserved by God as part of his word received by his church. 00:02:51.039 --> 00:02:54.879 We read there that it's a psalm of David. 00:02:56.179 --> 00:03:00.159 The great Victorian British preacher Charles Spurgeon commented, 00:03:01.219 --> 00:03:06.500 A psalm of David, either as a shepherd boy with a heart as full of gladness as it could hold, 00:03:06.900 --> 00:03:11.159 meditating upon the Lord, or if it be the product of his after years, 00:03:11.699 --> 00:03:16.280 we are sure that his soul returned in contemplation to the lonely water brooks, 00:03:16.340 --> 00:03:21.019 which rippled among the pastures of the wilderness where he often dwelt in earlier years. 00:03:21.039 --> 00:03:26.799 Of this delightful song, it may be affirmed that its piety and its poetry are equal, 00:03:27.159 --> 00:03:31.039 its sweetness and its spirituality are unpassed. 00:03:31.819 --> 00:03:33.479 That's the end of Spurgeon's quote. 00:03:35.019 --> 00:03:38.000 Verse one gives us the thematic heading. 00:03:39.560 --> 00:03:45.459 It's the relationship on which every blessing and every promise in this psalm depends. 00:03:46.459 --> 00:03:47.620 Would you look there with me? 00:03:47.620 --> 00:03:56.340 Verse one, the Lord, the word is Yahweh, the supreme I am, 00:03:56.879 --> 00:04:02.539 the name that God gave to his people so that they could know him and receive his covenant promises. 00:04:02.840 --> 00:04:07.280 The Lord, Yahweh, is my shepherd. 00:04:07.280 --> 00:04:13.319 The eternal, infinite, unchangeable, all-powerful creator. 00:04:14.620 --> 00:04:17.300 This God allows himself. 00:04:17.860 --> 00:04:24.079 No, he breathed out that his character and office be compared to that of a shepherd. 00:04:25.040 --> 00:04:29.379 In the ancient world, a shepherd was the lowest of all the positions you could hold. 00:04:29.379 --> 00:04:34.839 Remember Jesse's household, there's all these brothers and then there's the teenager or preteen. 00:04:35.480 --> 00:04:38.699 Well, send him out to go do that lowly job of caring for the sheep. 00:04:38.699 --> 00:04:44.019 And God allows himself to be compared to a shepherd. 00:04:44.839 --> 00:04:47.139 Shepherds with the sheep 24-7. 00:04:47.959 --> 00:04:49.599 Starts to smell like the sheep. 00:04:50.379 --> 00:04:52.279 Always walking around with the sheep. 00:04:52.439 --> 00:04:53.779 He knows them very well. 00:04:54.980 --> 00:05:00.139 That's how the Lord wants us to trust his ministry among his people. 00:05:00.139 --> 00:05:08.519 Because the Lord is my shepherd, David wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, I shall not want. 00:05:09.279 --> 00:05:11.779 We don't use the English language quite this way. 00:05:11.839 --> 00:05:13.620 We would say I shall not lack. 00:05:13.939 --> 00:05:17.000 I shouldn't, you know, come short of anything that I need. 00:05:18.439 --> 00:05:22.419 Someone pointed out how David knew the many needs and cares of the sheep. 00:05:22.420 --> 00:05:27.420 And he compares himself to a creature that's weak, defenseless, and foolish. 00:05:28.259 --> 00:05:34.700 And he takes God to be his provider, his preserver, his director, and indeed his everything. 00:05:36.400 --> 00:05:40.700 Now, children, this doesn't mean that we won't ever want anything. 00:05:40.840 --> 00:05:42.840 Like we won't desire certain things. 00:05:43.540 --> 00:05:50.259 And it also does not mean that God promises that everything we do want or everything we do desire will be given to us. 00:05:50.259 --> 00:05:53.779 Because our hearts are not trustworthy, right? 00:05:53.899 --> 00:05:57.980 Our hearts are often misdirected in their yearnings. 00:05:58.800 --> 00:06:04.379 But to want, it means to lack, to need, or to be insufficiently cared for. 00:06:05.480 --> 00:06:10.240 This verb, to lack or to want, it suggests a continuing state. 00:06:10.240 --> 00:06:19.360 So it means all you need to have a fullness of life and godliness will be continuously supplied for you by the Lord himself. 00:06:20.259 --> 00:06:27.379 Just as a good shepherd supplies all that his lambs need to thrive under his loving care. 00:06:28.379 --> 00:06:30.019 Charles Spurgeon again commented, 00:06:30.539 --> 00:06:41.819 It should be the subject of thankful admiration that the great God allows himself to be compared to anything which will set forth his great love and his care for his own people. 00:06:42.259 --> 00:06:42.860 Isn't that amazing? 00:06:42.860 --> 00:06:49.560 No man has a right to consider himself the Lord's sheep unless his nature has been renewed. 00:06:49.980 --> 00:06:55.759 For the scriptural description of an unconverted man does not picture them as sheep. 00:06:56.680 --> 00:06:57.500 Spurgeon's saying, 00:06:57.699 --> 00:07:00.620 What is it that the Bible calls someone who doesn't know the Lord? 00:07:01.280 --> 00:07:03.080 A wolf, right? 00:07:03.079 --> 00:07:08.459 So to belong to the Lord is to be entitled to this great promise. 00:07:09.259 --> 00:07:11.159 The position, Spurgeon commented, 00:07:11.279 --> 00:07:16.039 The position of this psalm in the Psalter as it's arranged is also worthy of notice. 00:07:16.259 --> 00:07:19.259 It follows the 22nd psalm. 00:07:19.500 --> 00:07:20.740 Do you remember this from last week? 00:07:21.399 --> 00:07:26.819 Look there and you can read this with the promises of 23 in mind. 00:07:27.979 --> 00:07:30.959 Psalm 22 is the great psalm of the cross. 00:07:30.959 --> 00:07:34.259 Spurgeon commented, 00:07:34.519 --> 00:07:41.299 There are no green pastures, no still waters on the front side of the 22nd psalm. 00:07:42.019 --> 00:07:43.599 It is only after we have read, 00:07:44.039 --> 00:07:47.099 My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? 00:07:47.519 --> 00:07:53.740 See, it's only after the cross that we can come to know that the Lord is my shepherd. 00:07:54.759 --> 00:07:55.079 Amen. 00:07:55.879 --> 00:07:57.459 Well, that's our first scene. 00:07:57.459 --> 00:08:03.239 It's the Lord with his people as their shepherd, providing for their every care. 00:08:04.560 --> 00:08:10.240 The second scene or image in Psalm 23 is of a restful meadow. 00:08:10.560 --> 00:08:14.419 Would you look at verse two with me into the beginning of verse three? 00:08:14.420 --> 00:08:19.660 He, referring to the Lord as the good shepherd. 00:08:20.160 --> 00:08:23.900 He makes me lie down in green pastures. 00:08:24.860 --> 00:08:29.640 The one who is acting here, who is powerfully causing something to happen is God himself. 00:08:30.060 --> 00:08:32.080 He makes me to lie down. 00:08:32.080 --> 00:08:41.240 It's Yahweh who graciously enables us to perceive the preciousness of his truth, his word, and to feed upon him. 00:08:42.680 --> 00:08:43.860 Green pastures. 00:08:44.000 --> 00:08:47.240 In the Hebrew, literally, it's pastures of grass. 00:08:47.240 --> 00:08:54.720 It's most likely referring to those rich, lush, soft green pastures of the springtime. 00:08:56.460 --> 00:08:58.120 To make me lie down. 00:08:59.000 --> 00:09:05.759 Someone pointed out how grateful God's people to be for the power of God to appropriate these promises. 00:09:05.759 --> 00:09:14.559 Some know of God's promises, but they cannot say that God makes me to lie in those promises. 00:09:14.899 --> 00:09:18.860 I know all about them, but I haven't rested in these promises myself. 00:09:19.679 --> 00:09:22.340 They are not made to lie down in them. 00:09:22.759 --> 00:09:29.799 But if you can, if you are one who has this blessed assurance of faith, then you need to thank the Lord. 00:09:29.919 --> 00:09:31.580 He is the one who's given you this gift. 00:09:31.580 --> 00:09:38.460 He's caused you in your soul to rest and trust these promises are yours in Christ. 00:09:39.639 --> 00:09:48.120 It's Yahweh, the Lord, the covenant-keeping God, who causes his people to move, to walk, and to be with him. 00:09:48.780 --> 00:09:53.120 Notice next, he says, the Lord leads me beside still waters. 00:09:54.120 --> 00:09:57.020 Literally, in verse 2, it's waters of rest. 00:09:57.620 --> 00:09:58.520 Still waters. 00:09:58.519 --> 00:10:06.919 Not white waters that are crashing and making noise and that'll make the sheep jump and be afraid and want to go away from them. 00:10:07.000 --> 00:10:08.879 No, these are waters of rest. 00:10:10.360 --> 00:10:15.720 This picture now, we have it before us, and it's not a stretch of our imagination in Colorado. 00:10:16.240 --> 00:10:18.980 It's peaceful meadow, this quiet brook. 00:10:19.600 --> 00:10:20.620 There the scene is set. 00:10:21.399 --> 00:10:24.179 The good shepherd with his flock leading them. 00:10:24.179 --> 00:10:29.379 It's like a painting in the mind's eye, a place of restfulness. 00:10:31.579 --> 00:10:35.659 What's the psalmist's testimony as he walks with the Lord through this scene? 00:10:36.699 --> 00:10:44.339 What's the effect of being made to lie down on God's promises and to be led by the Lord himself along that brook? 00:10:45.339 --> 00:10:47.000 Notice what David says next. 00:10:47.000 --> 00:10:49.879 He restores my soul. 00:10:50.919 --> 00:10:54.320 That's the effect of God's ministry upon his people. 00:10:54.700 --> 00:10:56.639 God restores your soul. 00:10:57.820 --> 00:11:01.740 The verb restores, it comes from the root to return. 00:11:01.740 --> 00:11:05.879 I learned this week about sheep. 00:11:06.620 --> 00:11:11.220 That when they get a little too heavy set, they don't have the longest legs to begin with. 00:11:11.259 --> 00:11:13.240 Or when their wool is even thicker. 00:11:13.840 --> 00:11:15.539 Have you known what happens to a sheep? 00:11:15.940 --> 00:11:18.340 It can accidentally tip over on to its side. 00:11:18.820 --> 00:11:20.320 And it just can't really move. 00:11:20.399 --> 00:11:23.039 It's too fluffy and too fat to turn itself back up. 00:11:23.100 --> 00:11:26.600 So eventually it'll roll on to its back and just lay there. 00:11:26.960 --> 00:11:28.960 But then what happens is it can't breathe very well. 00:11:28.960 --> 00:11:33.680 The air isn't passing through the lungs and the gases start to move in the wrong directions. 00:11:34.139 --> 00:11:35.580 And so it starts to cause bloating. 00:11:36.100 --> 00:11:39.300 And now this sheep, there's no way it's going to be able to unturn itself. 00:11:40.620 --> 00:11:45.980 And so in the English language, the name for a sheep that got fallen and tipped up on its side. 00:11:46.060 --> 00:11:49.300 So its legs are up in the air is a cast down sheep. 00:11:49.820 --> 00:11:51.060 A sheep that's cast down. 00:11:52.080 --> 00:11:55.500 And so he says, the Lord restores my soul. 00:11:56.160 --> 00:11:58.060 The Lord returns my soul. 00:11:58.059 --> 00:12:01.219 My soul got turned upside down. 00:12:01.500 --> 00:12:03.139 And I'm laying there helpless. 00:12:04.439 --> 00:12:06.059 About to die of suffocation. 00:12:06.779 --> 00:12:09.399 Not to mention if predators come by and see. 00:12:09.479 --> 00:12:10.979 I mean, that was an easy target right there. 00:12:11.939 --> 00:12:14.659 This is well before survival of the fittest, you know. 00:12:15.219 --> 00:12:18.000 So the Lord needs to come to me. 00:12:18.079 --> 00:12:20.599 Just like the Lord has acted on every other way. 00:12:21.019 --> 00:12:22.239 He makes me lie down. 00:12:22.359 --> 00:12:23.899 He leads me beside still waters. 00:12:24.339 --> 00:12:27.299 He restores me in my inner being. 00:12:27.299 --> 00:12:30.199 He sets my soul the right way up. 00:12:30.959 --> 00:12:33.299 My soul no longer will be cast down. 00:12:35.459 --> 00:12:41.740 My good shepherd must cause my soul, my life, the core of my being to be renewed. 00:12:42.399 --> 00:12:45.779 And once again, enjoy vigorous life walking with him. 00:12:45.779 --> 00:12:53.339 God makes his sheep once again able to enjoy his green pastures. 00:12:53.340 --> 00:12:55.639 What are these green pastures? 00:12:55.639 --> 00:13:01.080 They're a picture of food for the sheep next to still waters. 00:13:01.080 --> 00:13:07.420 Well, you know, in the Bible, food is described with the imagery of the scriptures. 00:13:08.080 --> 00:13:09.420 I should say the other way around. 00:13:09.500 --> 00:13:14.220 When God talks about the scriptures or his word, it's given to the people as their food. 00:13:14.920 --> 00:13:16.660 Here's one example of many. 00:13:16.740 --> 00:13:17.639 Matthew 4, 4. 00:13:17.639 --> 00:13:19.480 Jesus, quoting the Old Testament, said, 00:13:19.600 --> 00:13:27.319 Man shall not live on bread alone, man's food, but man shall live on every word that comes from the mouth of God. 00:13:27.899 --> 00:13:28.840 And what about water? 00:13:29.299 --> 00:13:34.159 Water is often an image in the Bible of cleansing and of the Holy Spirit. 00:13:34.159 --> 00:13:37.980 Think about how Jesus said in John 7, 37, 00:13:38.159 --> 00:13:42.659 If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink. 00:13:43.120 --> 00:13:49.259 You believe in me, as the scriptures say, for from you now shall flow rivers of living water. 00:13:49.659 --> 00:13:56.719 And this he spoke of the spirit which they had, which they that believe on him should receive. 00:13:57.579 --> 00:14:01.620 So there it is, the image of God's word and the work of the Holy Spirit. 00:14:01.620 --> 00:14:05.539 That's what equips and restores the souls of God's people. 00:14:06.320 --> 00:14:09.320 A commentator named Christopher Ash wrote, 00:14:10.100 --> 00:14:18.919 The use of food and water imagery in the New Covenant suggests that this is to be the ongoing experience of followers of Jesus Christ, 00:14:19.240 --> 00:14:21.600 even in times of trouble. 00:14:22.460 --> 00:14:25.240 So what we have in these verses up to this point, 00:14:25.720 --> 00:14:31.560 verses one, two, and the first part of three is a picture of a believer, even you and me. 00:14:32.560 --> 00:14:35.720 Refreshed by the Holy Spirit through the scriptures. 00:14:36.700 --> 00:14:38.820 The Lord will restore your soul. 00:14:39.139 --> 00:14:40.840 That's the promise for you and me as well. 00:14:41.019 --> 00:14:46.500 When God is our shepherd, he will supply you and me with abundant nourishment. 00:14:47.779 --> 00:14:51.700 Through his Holy Spirit, through the Bible, his word. 00:14:51.700 --> 00:14:58.680 And he will do this every single day, every week and every year of your life and mine until the very end. 00:14:59.660 --> 00:15:04.200 You see how God, how good God is to his people as their good shepherd. 00:15:04.200 --> 00:15:07.300 Well, we've seen the restful meadow. 00:15:07.759 --> 00:15:10.500 The third scene is the righteous tracks. 00:15:11.220 --> 00:15:14.360 The righteous tracks at the last part of verse three. 00:15:15.480 --> 00:15:18.920 He, the Lord, leads me in paths of righteousness. 00:15:18.919 --> 00:15:21.039 The word paths. 00:15:21.360 --> 00:15:23.259 It means the wagon tracks. 00:15:23.259 --> 00:15:32.639 So as you would be pulling, you know, behind a pair of oxen or something like that on these little roads through the meadow, through the pasture from one town to the next. 00:15:32.639 --> 00:15:41.080 That would be a natural path for the shepherd not to pull them off of the meadows, going to another place now and maybe another pasture that they need to get to. 00:15:41.799 --> 00:15:47.279 And you don't want them wandering around, wandering off and going into pastures they're not supposed to be in or getting into trouble. 00:15:47.580 --> 00:15:49.360 Certainly not falling off the cliff. 00:15:49.580 --> 00:15:52.379 So you put them on these wagon tracks, these little roads. 00:15:52.580 --> 00:15:58.240 And that's the shepherd leading his sheep on those tracks of righteousness. 00:15:58.240 --> 00:16:04.200 In Psalm five, verse eight, you can flip there if you like or listen. 00:16:05.019 --> 00:16:06.039 David had prayed this. 00:16:06.500 --> 00:16:08.919 Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness. 00:16:09.399 --> 00:16:12.639 He has been asking this from the Lord as the king of Israel. 00:16:13.180 --> 00:16:18.659 And now here in Psalm 23, we have David's witness that God, in fact, has done this. 00:16:19.340 --> 00:16:21.580 And why is it that God leads his people? 00:16:22.299 --> 00:16:24.560 David, you and me. 00:16:24.560 --> 00:16:27.240 Why does he lead us on these paths of righteousness? 00:16:28.240 --> 00:16:30.960 It's for his name's sake. 00:16:31.620 --> 00:16:38.659 The reason God leads his people in his righteousness is for the sake of his own name. 00:16:39.000 --> 00:16:41.340 His reputation is what is at stake. 00:16:43.899 --> 00:16:46.840 Think about for us now to follow that shepherd. 00:16:46.840 --> 00:16:54.840 You can almost picture the silhouette of the shepherd among the sheep walking on these tracks and the sheep following behind. 00:16:54.840 --> 00:17:02.420 This is a picture of the Lord Jesus Christ among his flock, leading them out, as we read in John 10. 00:17:03.300 --> 00:17:04.400 They know his voice. 00:17:04.500 --> 00:17:05.279 They follow him. 00:17:05.340 --> 00:17:08.340 They stay on the tracks following their good shepherd. 00:17:08.339 --> 00:17:12.579 A pastor in the 1800s in Scotland, Andrew Barnard. 00:17:12.579 --> 00:17:14.079 He wrote, 00:17:14.079 --> 00:17:24.740 The church has so exclusively applied this song to herself as almost to forget that her shepherd, Jesus Christ, once needed it and was glad to use it. 00:17:25.460 --> 00:17:30.539 Think about how our great shepherd, Jesus Christ, he was also God's lamb. 00:17:30.539 --> 00:17:36.379 God, the son who leads us now was once led by God, the father. 00:17:37.379 --> 00:17:45.839 Our king who is enthroned in heaven was once comforted on earth by the promises of God and the sweetness of this song. 00:17:46.539 --> 00:17:52.740 Now in Christ, the reputation of God himself is attached to the walk of Christ's people. 00:17:53.879 --> 00:17:58.019 Christ will not have his covenant keeping name be disgraced. 00:17:58.019 --> 00:18:02.379 Christ has every incentive, every reason, every motive. 00:18:02.680 --> 00:18:03.460 It's more than that. 00:18:03.519 --> 00:18:11.599 It's a covenant binding of himself to the walk of his people for the sake of God's name and the mission he came to accomplish. 00:18:13.079 --> 00:18:16.480 By the power of the Holy Spirit, we have this promise. 00:18:17.200 --> 00:18:26.819 God will make sure that each one of his true disciples walks with him, however imperfectly, all the way home. 00:18:26.819 --> 00:18:30.019 This is his promise to you and me. 00:18:30.579 --> 00:18:34.639 He has led us there and he will lead us all the way. 00:18:35.619 --> 00:18:39.000 That's our third scene, the righteous tracks in verse three. 00:18:40.659 --> 00:18:43.559 Well, the fourth scene is the dark valley. 00:18:44.819 --> 00:18:46.839 The dark valley in verse four. 00:18:48.039 --> 00:18:50.480 Yea, though I walk through the valley. 00:18:50.480 --> 00:18:52.960 It's the word of a canyon. 00:18:54.099 --> 00:18:55.200 A passageway. 00:18:56.140 --> 00:18:59.440 We can picture a lot of scenes like that, I'm sure, here in Colorado. 00:18:59.720 --> 00:19:00.720 Different hikes you've taken. 00:19:01.900 --> 00:19:03.539 It's from those low meadows. 00:19:03.539 --> 00:19:08.460 Those meadows, if those are, in fact, the springtime, you know, grass popping up. 00:19:08.519 --> 00:19:12.339 It's so bright, especially in the Middle East compared to the desert all around. 00:19:13.139 --> 00:19:20.559 They said in the springtime and into the summer, then the shepherds would lead them through whatever passage they had to take to get up to a mesa. 00:19:21.000 --> 00:19:23.019 You know, the top that they would enjoy. 00:19:23.279 --> 00:19:26.159 And then as that started to dry out, they'd work their way back down. 00:19:26.160 --> 00:19:32.660 Now, it's the valley of the shadow of death. 00:19:33.960 --> 00:19:39.500 That phrase, shadow of death, this pops up a lot of places in the Old Testament. 00:19:40.200 --> 00:19:47.640 Isaiah uses this word in chapter nine, verse two, referring to the time of exile where the people are carried out of Israel. 00:19:48.259 --> 00:19:52.700 And that place of their exile, he calls it a land of deep darkness. 00:19:52.700 --> 00:19:59.600 Job uses this word in chapter three, verse five, when he's saying, you know, whoa, the day of my birth. 00:20:00.160 --> 00:20:04.779 And he says, let gloom and deep darkness claim the day of my birth. 00:20:05.000 --> 00:20:06.600 Let clouds dwell upon it. 00:20:06.860 --> 00:20:09.120 Let the blackness of the day terrify it. 00:20:09.120 --> 00:20:15.400 In Job 38, 17, he combines this imagery of deep darkness with the gates of death. 00:20:16.500 --> 00:20:22.600 In Job, we read, have the gates of death been revealed to you or have you seen the gates of deep darkness? 00:20:22.700 --> 00:20:32.000 So this valley of the shadow of death is a passage marked by darkness, danger and imminent death around every corner. 00:20:33.700 --> 00:20:48.400 And the psalmist says, even though I walk through this valley, this passage that every human being has to go through, whether you're just or unjust alike, there are times of suffering that are common to all men. 00:20:49.180 --> 00:20:51.140 We are under Adam's curse, right? 00:20:51.140 --> 00:20:57.759 We are in this place of darkness compared to the eternal light of the kingdom of heaven breaking in. 00:20:59.580 --> 00:21:07.360 And so if you're a believer and you're following the shepherd, you will still expect times of darkness, a valley of the shadow of death. 00:21:08.460 --> 00:21:11.820 The difference is that you will walk through that with your good shepherd. 00:21:11.819 --> 00:21:20.259 Someone outside of Christ's kingdom that doesn't know the Lord Jesus must walk through the same valley all alone, hopeless. 00:21:22.480 --> 00:21:27.619 It can be brought on by sickness, by bereavement, by aging and every disappointment. 00:21:27.619 --> 00:21:34.299 What struck me in verse four is there's a change in the language he's using. 00:21:35.000 --> 00:21:36.179 It's a big switch. 00:21:36.259 --> 00:21:41.939 You will notice how up to this point he's referring to God in the third person singular. 00:21:43.099 --> 00:21:47.619 You notice that the Lord, my shepherd, he, he, he, he. 00:21:47.739 --> 00:21:49.500 That's how everything starts up to this point. 00:21:49.500 --> 00:21:52.019 But notice now in verse four, a big change. 00:21:55.980 --> 00:22:02.539 At the remembrance of the valley of the shadow of death, or maybe while David was still walking in the middle of it. 00:22:02.539 --> 00:22:07.359 His witness about God becomes a prayer to God. 00:22:08.740 --> 00:22:13.299 He speaks directly to the Lord now as his shepherd. 00:22:13.559 --> 00:22:19.659 He says, even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you. 00:22:20.500 --> 00:22:23.000 You, Lord, are with me. 00:22:24.200 --> 00:22:27.839 And that's the only reason why I must not fear any evil. 00:22:27.839 --> 00:22:33.399 In this dark valley, I have every logical reason to be sorely afraid. 00:22:34.220 --> 00:22:38.899 But because you, Lord, praying, trusting God's presence with him, you are with me. 00:22:39.539 --> 00:22:40.939 I will fear no evil. 00:22:43.279 --> 00:22:49.000 Did Jesus experience such a ministry from God the Father in order to fulfill his mission? 00:22:49.959 --> 00:22:52.119 Passing through the valley of the shadow of death. 00:22:53.819 --> 00:22:57.379 Remembering God is his good shepherd and he is the lamb of God. 00:22:57.839 --> 00:23:00.099 Yes, he did. 00:23:00.199 --> 00:23:06.279 Remember in John 16, 32, our Lord bore witness as he marched to the cross. 00:23:06.939 --> 00:23:11.039 I am not alone for the Father is with me. 00:23:13.899 --> 00:23:19.879 After experiencing God's faithfulness and trusting God will never leave me nor forsake me. 00:23:20.299 --> 00:23:27.619 God continues to minister this same truth about God to his people, his flock, his dear lambs in the same way. 00:23:28.519 --> 00:23:38.500 Jesus promised his disciples and his church who would believe in him that by the ministry of the Holy Spirit, Jesus will never leave us nor forsake us. 00:23:38.619 --> 00:23:42.659 And he will be with us even to the very end of the age. 00:23:42.660 --> 00:23:50.820 And in light of this promise, the preacher in the book of Hebrews adds on this encouragement, Hebrews 13, 6. 00:23:50.820 --> 00:23:56.660 So we can confidently say the Lord is my helper and I will not fear. 00:23:57.320 --> 00:23:59.000 What can man do to me? 00:23:59.000 --> 00:24:04.359 Imagine yourself through the eyes of one of those sheeps. 00:24:04.880 --> 00:24:08.200 You're on these paths of righteousness following the good shepherd. 00:24:08.559 --> 00:24:12.680 Now you're passing through the valley of the shadow of death. 00:24:12.680 --> 00:24:15.160 It gets darker there quicker than anywhere else. 00:24:15.620 --> 00:24:18.100 The sun hides behind the mountains on either side. 00:24:19.200 --> 00:24:25.180 There's shadows and darkness and a great place for a predator to pick off the weak ones. 00:24:25.180 --> 00:24:28.820 But you can see through the shadowy area. 00:24:29.600 --> 00:24:31.340 The shepherd walking right there. 00:24:32.200 --> 00:24:35.700 And these ancient shepherds had two pieces of wood, one in each of their hands. 00:24:35.700 --> 00:24:41.900 We don't get these details anywhere, but I imagine knowing what I do about them in the shepherd's right hand. 00:24:43.059 --> 00:24:50.080 Something like a miniature baseball bat, a club that you would use to beat away a wolf that's about to get one of those lambs. 00:24:50.140 --> 00:24:51.799 That's called the rod. 00:24:52.480 --> 00:24:56.519 And in the other hand, the staff, it's a longer stick with a hook on the end. 00:24:57.140 --> 00:25:02.340 So if there is a lamb that gets caught in a thorny bush, you can hook it and pull it back in. 00:25:02.380 --> 00:25:03.380 So it joins the flock. 00:25:03.380 --> 00:25:12.840 The rod and the staff, even as you walk through this valley of the shadow of death, that's a picture of protection and comfort for these sheep. 00:25:15.360 --> 00:25:22.780 He keeps them away from the dangerous cliff, from the thorny desert and from the red eyes of the predators at night. 00:25:23.660 --> 00:25:28.740 And as his lambs walk with him, he protects them with his rod. 00:25:30.280 --> 00:25:32.780 Now this rod is so interesting to learn. 00:25:32.779 --> 00:25:36.940 You know, the picture of the shepherd always having these two instruments in his hand, no matter what you're doing. 00:25:37.339 --> 00:25:41.980 And when you're getting the sheep out of one pen onto the pastures, you're not going to leave any one of them behind. 00:25:42.480 --> 00:25:45.420 You know, you count up to the 99th and you say, where's the 100th? 00:25:45.500 --> 00:25:46.519 And you go find it. 00:25:47.220 --> 00:25:52.279 Listen to how Leviticus 27, 32 uses this rod, the same word. 00:25:52.279 --> 00:26:01.420 Every tithe of the herd and flock and every 10th animal that passes under the shepherd's rod will be holy unto the Lord. 00:26:01.420 --> 00:26:08.320 So as the shepherd, as the shepherd's looking over the sheep and as they're passing out the fold to go, he's counting them. 00:26:08.360 --> 00:26:08.759 It makes sense. 00:26:08.820 --> 00:26:09.560 I would count like that. 00:26:09.620 --> 00:26:10.539 Like you would with your finger. 00:26:10.720 --> 00:26:11.380 They're passing. 00:26:11.539 --> 00:26:13.900 I'm counting with my rod every single one. 00:26:13.980 --> 00:26:16.680 So when he gets to number 10, that one belongs to the Lord. 00:26:17.340 --> 00:26:19.940 That's how well the shepherd knows his sheep. 00:26:20.360 --> 00:26:22.600 And that's a picture to the sheep of comfort. 00:26:23.440 --> 00:26:24.480 I'm counted for. 00:26:24.480 --> 00:26:26.640 My shepherd knows me. 00:26:27.259 --> 00:26:29.160 If I wander away, he will count. 00:26:29.700 --> 00:26:35.680 Everyone else will pass and he will count and he will know I'm missing and he will pull me back with his staff. 00:26:36.400 --> 00:26:37.980 What a good God we have. 00:26:39.019 --> 00:26:40.960 We need this reminder, too, don't we? 00:26:42.019 --> 00:26:47.339 A visible reminder, fully fulfilled in Jesus Christ, that we are protected. 00:26:47.860 --> 00:26:48.860 We are cared for. 00:26:48.859 --> 00:26:57.199 We do not need to fear anything out there so long as we stay close and walk with the shepherd who's among his people here. 00:26:58.259 --> 00:27:06.599 Because our Lord Jesus Christ has passed through this valley of death and he came and lives now on the other side. 00:27:07.500 --> 00:27:11.619 That's why we also can enjoy the comfort of this promise in Christ. 00:27:12.219 --> 00:27:14.539 First John 5, 4 gives us this promise. 00:27:14.539 --> 00:27:19.539 The one who believes and trusts in Christ is the one who conquers. 00:27:21.379 --> 00:27:29.879 Spurgeon commented, observe that it is not walking in the valley, but walking through the valley. 00:27:31.019 --> 00:27:33.920 We go through the dark tunnel of death. 00:27:34.099 --> 00:27:34.420 We do. 00:27:34.619 --> 00:27:40.559 We pass through in order to emerge into the light of immortality on the other side. 00:27:40.559 --> 00:27:46.019 If you are in Christ, you don't need to fear death. 00:27:46.839 --> 00:27:51.659 You don't need to fear the dark valley or anything in this world. 00:27:52.639 --> 00:27:56.000 Because if you are in Christ, you already have eternal life now. 00:27:57.059 --> 00:28:03.319 You do not die in Christ, but we sleep only to awake in glory with him. 00:28:03.319 --> 00:28:11.039 And someone put it, death is not the house, but the porch, not the goal, but the passage to it. 00:28:13.139 --> 00:28:15.319 And that's the fourth scene. 00:28:16.519 --> 00:28:18.379 The valley of the shadow of death. 00:28:19.399 --> 00:28:21.740 The fifth scene is the victory feast. 00:28:22.319 --> 00:28:26.500 In verse five, the victory feast on the other side of this valley. 00:28:26.500 --> 00:28:32.019 You prepare a table before me in the presence of mine enemies. 00:28:33.640 --> 00:28:37.740 In this scene, the people of God move from being the sheep to being guests. 00:28:38.119 --> 00:28:42.119 And the Lord moves from being their shepherd to being their host. 00:28:43.279 --> 00:28:48.299 Again, David continues to address the Lord in that direct, intimate second person. 00:28:48.660 --> 00:28:51.299 You prepare a table before me. 00:28:51.299 --> 00:28:56.980 The word prepare, it means thoughtful arrangement of this table. 00:28:57.539 --> 00:28:59.460 For me, first person singular. 00:29:00.559 --> 00:29:02.440 You are counted by the shepherd. 00:29:02.579 --> 00:29:05.619 Now you have a seat reserved for you. 00:29:06.980 --> 00:29:13.379 You, your person, your soul, your resurrected body one day has a place set for you. 00:29:13.440 --> 00:29:16.659 Especially arranged by Jesus for you. 00:29:17.440 --> 00:29:19.059 Who knows you by your name. 00:29:19.059 --> 00:29:22.980 It says, you anoint my head with oil. 00:29:23.740 --> 00:29:25.659 My cup runneth over. 00:29:27.419 --> 00:29:29.779 This is a victory feast. 00:29:30.200 --> 00:29:35.119 It's an allusion to a big celebration after a great battle is over. 00:29:35.460 --> 00:29:36.879 And you're on the side that won. 00:29:38.240 --> 00:29:41.980 In the ancient world, it was the custom of the one leading this battle. 00:29:41.980 --> 00:29:46.759 To honor his soldiers after a great military victory. 00:29:46.759 --> 00:29:49.460 By laying out all the spoils and the loot of war. 00:29:49.740 --> 00:29:52.059 And each one would line up and take their portion. 00:29:53.240 --> 00:29:56.500 And this was often done with the enemies sitting right there. 00:29:56.779 --> 00:29:59.759 Humiliated, chained up, made to watch the whole celebration. 00:30:00.660 --> 00:30:04.519 You prepared a table before me right there in the presence of mine enemies. 00:30:04.519 --> 00:30:08.859 You see, that's a picture of a victory that is public. 00:30:09.319 --> 00:30:11.220 It's a public celebration. 00:30:12.259 --> 00:30:14.220 The king has been fully vindicated. 00:30:14.720 --> 00:30:17.299 The enemy is utterly humiliated. 00:30:18.299 --> 00:30:26.680 This image depicts God honoring his anointed king by welcoming him to God's banqueting table. 00:30:26.680 --> 00:30:32.680 At this celebration banquet, the king's head is anointed with oil. 00:30:34.000 --> 00:30:36.320 It's an anointing of honoring someone. 00:30:36.860 --> 00:30:41.120 Even at the time of Christ, when guests would come into the home, you would wash their feet. 00:30:41.560 --> 00:30:44.799 And if there's a very special guest that you're all gathering around like a rabbi, 00:30:45.320 --> 00:30:48.740 then he would bring out the special oils that had a fragrance. 00:30:48.960 --> 00:30:53.980 You know, they had had spices and other aromas that had picked up into the oil. 00:30:53.980 --> 00:30:56.600 And you pour that on the head of the honored guest. 00:30:57.500 --> 00:31:02.880 In Ecclesiastes 9, we have this ancient scene of a celebration feast like that. 00:31:03.600 --> 00:31:05.299 Ecclesiastes 9, 7 and 8. 00:31:05.980 --> 00:31:10.560 Go, eat your bread with joy and drink your wine with a merry heart. 00:31:11.019 --> 00:31:13.140 Let not oil be lacking on your head. 00:31:14.680 --> 00:31:22.360 These celebratory anointings were a picture along with the food and the cup that's overflowing with wine. 00:31:22.359 --> 00:31:29.219 It's a picture of joy, victory, and lavish generosity put on by the host. 00:31:29.220 --> 00:31:33.539 Showing everyone who will come around and see and hear of it. 00:31:34.140 --> 00:31:36.880 This one who is victorious is wealthy. 00:31:37.740 --> 00:31:41.039 And he's lavishing his favor upon his anointed one. 00:31:41.039 --> 00:31:51.180 The image of a great victory feast, it continues to gain language and lines and embellishments all the way through the scriptures, 00:31:51.319 --> 00:31:52.659 all the way to the book of Revelation. 00:31:52.660 --> 00:31:59.080 An important step on that developing of this motif is Isaiah 25, verses 6 through 8. 00:31:59.160 --> 00:32:02.000 Listen to this future prophecy that will be fulfilled. 00:32:02.000 --> 00:32:06.200 On this mountain, a picture of the kingdom of heaven, 00:32:06.779 --> 00:32:11.220 the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, 00:32:11.640 --> 00:32:17.440 a feast of well-aged wine, of rich food full of marrow, of aged wine well refined. 00:32:17.940 --> 00:32:23.019 It will swallow up on his mountain the covering that is cast over all the peoples, 00:32:23.440 --> 00:32:25.480 the veil that is spread over all the nations. 00:32:25.700 --> 00:32:28.140 He will swallow up death forever. 00:32:28.140 --> 00:32:33.240 The Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces and the reproach of his people. 00:32:33.600 --> 00:32:36.780 He will take away from all the earth for the Lord has spoken. 00:32:38.000 --> 00:32:41.680 This is a picture of the great wedding supper of the Lamb, 00:32:42.259 --> 00:32:45.740 which Jesus Christ has already accomplished and secured. 00:32:46.240 --> 00:32:50.820 He fulfilled this by making the whole world know that he is the righteous one, 00:32:51.160 --> 00:32:55.080 the anointed king in whom the father is well-pleased. 00:32:55.079 --> 00:33:01.500 And this feast will be enjoyed by King Jesus and all his army on that one great day. 00:33:02.119 --> 00:33:08.139 When, according to 1 Corinthians 15, 54, death will be swallowed up in victory. 00:33:08.599 --> 00:33:10.819 Borrowing that imagery from Isaiah 25. 00:33:12.839 --> 00:33:18.659 You see, spiritually now as a church, we already have a place at this banqueting table with God. 00:33:18.660 --> 00:33:24.560 All that is Christ is already ours in a spiritual sense. 00:33:25.100 --> 00:33:26.860 He already shares it with his people now. 00:33:27.420 --> 00:33:31.160 We can say like the psalmist did in Psalm 16, 5, 00:33:31.259 --> 00:33:35.400 The Lord is already my chosen portion and my cup. 00:33:36.040 --> 00:33:40.120 My heart already overflows because he is so good to me. 00:33:40.820 --> 00:33:43.840 And now we feast by faith with the inner man. 00:33:43.920 --> 00:33:45.060 But there is a day coming. 00:33:45.059 --> 00:33:51.359 Brothers and sisters, one day our resurrected bodies will be with God and with his Lamb. 00:33:51.579 --> 00:33:53.179 And we will commune with him. 00:33:53.480 --> 00:33:54.879 And we will feast with him. 00:33:55.779 --> 00:34:04.559 We will get to physically feast, smell, taste, and laugh with God and the Lamb, 00:34:05.179 --> 00:34:09.599 if we can speak that way, in his visible, touchable presence. 00:34:09.599 --> 00:34:17.199 His great feast set out for his people to celebrate the victory of God the Son. 00:34:20.019 --> 00:34:22.719 Well, that's not the last scene in this psalm. 00:34:22.940 --> 00:34:24.000 That's the victory feast. 00:34:24.119 --> 00:34:27.119 But there is one more image for us in verse 6. 00:34:27.659 --> 00:34:29.219 And that's of the eternal dwelling. 00:34:29.219 --> 00:34:34.679 The psalm comes to a beautiful close with these words. 00:34:35.459 --> 00:34:38.519 Surely, goodness and mercy. 00:34:40.199 --> 00:34:43.819 Better translation would be goodness and loving kindness. 00:34:44.379 --> 00:34:46.339 Chesed, covenant faithfulness. 00:34:47.119 --> 00:34:48.959 These are covenantal terms. 00:34:49.639 --> 00:34:54.119 Surely that's what will follow me all the days of my life. 00:34:54.119 --> 00:34:57.099 The verb there is follow. 00:34:58.039 --> 00:35:01.239 And this is a description of a predator chasing a lamb. 00:35:02.400 --> 00:35:04.559 What is it that's following this little flock? 00:35:04.639 --> 00:35:07.159 You'd picture a pack of wolves coming to devour them. 00:35:07.839 --> 00:35:12.920 But he's using covenant language saying something else will be following me. 00:35:13.259 --> 00:35:14.480 Following God's lambs. 00:35:14.900 --> 00:35:15.359 Pursuing. 00:35:15.819 --> 00:35:16.519 Chasing after. 00:35:17.639 --> 00:35:21.759 You see, these lambs used to be the enemies of God. 00:35:21.760 --> 00:35:24.280 But he laid down his life for these lambs. 00:35:25.180 --> 00:35:28.020 Because we are sinners and we've broken that covenant with God. 00:35:28.560 --> 00:35:33.840 We deserve to have maledictory curse chasing after us. 00:35:34.280 --> 00:35:35.440 That's what we deserve. 00:35:36.320 --> 00:35:37.300 And he says instead, 00:35:38.360 --> 00:35:43.380 I will chase down my people by binding myself for their good. 00:35:44.920 --> 00:35:49.840 It's benedictory blessings that chase after God's people. 00:35:49.840 --> 00:35:52.680 That follow them all the days of their life. 00:35:54.460 --> 00:35:58.160 Instead of needing a prosecuting attorney now. 00:35:58.380 --> 00:36:00.760 To prosecute God's people and accuse them. 00:36:01.900 --> 00:36:04.240 Jesus Christ stands as their advocate. 00:36:05.240 --> 00:36:07.740 And he prosecutes God's covenant of grace. 00:36:08.039 --> 00:36:10.680 That he accomplished for their good. 00:36:11.539 --> 00:36:13.840 They are now bound to his goodness. 00:36:14.840 --> 00:36:15.960 And covenant mercy. 00:36:15.960 --> 00:36:20.639 God will continue to pursue you who know God. 00:36:21.280 --> 00:36:22.980 By the grace of Jesus Christ. 00:36:23.380 --> 00:36:24.960 Poured out to you by the Holy Spirit. 00:36:26.260 --> 00:36:30.139 And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. 00:36:32.320 --> 00:36:33.679 David could pray this. 00:36:34.519 --> 00:36:37.740 Because the Holy Spirit illumined to him God's goodness. 00:36:37.960 --> 00:36:39.360 And God's covenant faithfulness. 00:36:39.800 --> 00:36:40.960 And a future coming Messiah. 00:36:40.960 --> 00:36:41.559 Messiah. 00:36:42.720 --> 00:36:44.159 You and I can believe this. 00:36:44.240 --> 00:36:47.460 Because we look at the work that Jesus Christ accomplished. 00:36:48.039 --> 00:36:50.000 He has already secured the blessings. 00:36:50.340 --> 00:36:52.639 Promised here for his people for all time. 00:36:53.519 --> 00:36:55.519 Colossians 3.1-4 remind us. 00:36:55.860 --> 00:36:58.639 That we have already been raised with Christ. 00:36:59.139 --> 00:37:00.220 And we will one day. 00:37:01.220 --> 00:37:03.139 Be with him in glory. 00:37:04.179 --> 00:37:04.940 Jesus says. 00:37:05.059 --> 00:37:06.460 You know you will dwell in my house. 00:37:06.519 --> 00:37:08.159 I'm preparing a place for you. 00:37:08.199 --> 00:37:09.139 In my father's house. 00:37:09.139 --> 00:37:10.819 And in John 8.35. 00:37:10.960 --> 00:37:11.500 Jesus said. 00:37:12.000 --> 00:37:14.219 A slave does not abide in the house forever. 00:37:14.460 --> 00:37:17.500 But a son abides with the father forever. 00:37:18.219 --> 00:37:19.519 You are my sons. 00:37:20.119 --> 00:37:21.099 God says. 00:37:21.199 --> 00:37:22.279 In Jesus Christ. 00:37:24.400 --> 00:37:25.659 Spurgeon's comment was. 00:37:25.920 --> 00:37:26.779 While I live here. 00:37:26.920 --> 00:37:27.920 I will be a child. 00:37:28.159 --> 00:37:29.539 At home with my God. 00:37:30.079 --> 00:37:30.579 Spiritually. 00:37:31.259 --> 00:37:32.440 The whole world. 00:37:32.859 --> 00:37:34.699 Shall be as his house to me. 00:37:35.279 --> 00:37:36.259 And when I. 00:37:36.259 --> 00:37:38.099 When I ascend. 00:37:38.099 --> 00:37:39.299 To the upper chamber. 00:37:39.980 --> 00:37:41.659 I shall not change my company. 00:37:41.819 --> 00:37:43.319 Or even my place. 00:37:43.559 --> 00:37:44.360 Of belonging. 00:37:45.019 --> 00:37:47.380 My soul will be at home with the Lord. 00:37:48.960 --> 00:37:50.039 So when you die. 00:37:50.400 --> 00:37:52.279 You're in that intermediate state. 00:37:52.779 --> 00:37:54.380 Your company hasn't changed. 00:37:54.440 --> 00:37:55.839 You are still in the Lord. 00:37:56.380 --> 00:37:58.380 Though your body is waiting for the resurrection. 00:37:58.380 --> 00:38:01.140 Then I will dwell. 00:38:01.260 --> 00:38:02.059 Body and soul. 00:38:02.140 --> 00:38:04.300 On that great day of the resurrection of the body. 00:38:04.660 --> 00:38:05.720 In the eternal state. 00:38:05.980 --> 00:38:06.760 The new heavens. 00:38:06.900 --> 00:38:07.480 The new earth. 00:38:07.720 --> 00:38:08.579 With my God. 00:38:08.780 --> 00:38:09.579 My Savior. 00:38:09.980 --> 00:38:11.019 My eternal father. 00:38:11.320 --> 00:38:13.340 In his dwelling forever. 00:38:13.340 --> 00:38:14.860 Someone. 00:38:19.860 --> 00:38:21.380 Wrote these words. 00:38:21.480 --> 00:38:23.300 In reflecting upon this psalm as a whole. 00:38:25.300 --> 00:38:26.460 God has sent. 00:38:26.880 --> 00:38:27.620 The gospel. 00:38:28.039 --> 00:38:28.760 Through psalm 20. 00:38:29.059 --> 00:38:29.620 23. 00:38:30.079 --> 00:38:31.620 To speak in every language. 00:38:31.880 --> 00:38:32.420 On the globe. 00:38:33.220 --> 00:38:35.360 It has charmed more griefs. 00:38:35.800 --> 00:38:36.400 To rest. 00:38:36.740 --> 00:38:38.880 Than all the philosophy of the world. 00:38:38.880 --> 00:38:42.180 It has remanded the dungeon. 00:38:42.780 --> 00:38:43.760 More felon thoughts. 00:38:44.340 --> 00:38:45.200 More black doubts. 00:38:45.720 --> 00:38:46.820 More thieving sorrows. 00:38:47.160 --> 00:38:49.099 Than there are sands on the seashore. 00:38:49.660 --> 00:38:52.039 It has comforted the noble hosts of the poor. 00:38:52.440 --> 00:38:53.539 It has sung courage. 00:38:53.760 --> 00:38:55.519 To the army of the disappointed. 00:38:56.019 --> 00:38:57.260 It has poured balm. 00:38:57.500 --> 00:38:58.559 On the consolations. 00:38:58.700 --> 00:39:00.000 And into the hearts of the sick. 00:39:00.500 --> 00:39:01.820 Of captains of dungeons. 00:39:02.140 --> 00:39:02.800 Of widows. 00:39:03.160 --> 00:39:04.940 And their pinching griefs. 00:39:05.160 --> 00:39:05.880 And of orphans. 00:39:05.960 --> 00:39:06.660 And their loneliness. 00:39:07.119 --> 00:39:08.240 Gloomy hospitals. 00:39:08.239 --> 00:39:09.199 Have been illuminated. 00:39:09.199 --> 00:39:10.259 By psalm 23. 00:39:10.799 --> 00:39:11.539 Dying soldiers. 00:39:11.539 --> 00:39:12.619 Have died easier. 00:39:12.619 --> 00:39:14.299 As Christ was here. 00:39:14.439 --> 00:39:15.779 Offered to them. 00:39:17.079 --> 00:39:18.899 You see how good God is. 00:39:19.500 --> 00:39:20.859 These are just six scenes. 00:39:20.959 --> 00:39:21.759 In one psalm. 00:39:21.859 --> 00:39:23.559 And his word is inexhaustible. 00:39:23.819 --> 00:39:24.459 All there. 00:39:24.799 --> 00:39:25.599 To remind us. 00:39:25.779 --> 00:39:26.279 Of the goodness. 00:39:26.500 --> 00:39:27.039 Of God. 00:39:27.259 --> 00:39:27.799 In Christ. 00:39:29.199 --> 00:39:30.659 I started by quoting. 00:39:30.839 --> 00:39:31.500 That Puritan. 00:39:31.639 --> 00:39:32.359 John Durant. 00:39:33.359 --> 00:39:34.259 In persecution. 00:39:34.559 --> 00:39:36.219 And hard suffering. 00:39:36.599 --> 00:39:37.359 As a church. 00:39:37.360 --> 00:39:38.780 In the 1600s. 00:39:40.160 --> 00:39:41.019 These were his. 00:39:41.019 --> 00:39:42.220 Closing thoughts. 00:39:43.820 --> 00:39:45.460 In light of God's goodness. 00:39:46.700 --> 00:39:47.920 Come to Jesus. 00:39:48.740 --> 00:39:49.579 Let him be now. 00:39:49.700 --> 00:39:50.500 The shepherd. 00:39:50.500 --> 00:39:51.500 Of thy soul. 00:39:52.300 --> 00:39:52.840 And know then. 00:39:52.960 --> 00:39:53.860 That he will be sweet. 00:39:54.000 --> 00:39:54.660 In endeavoring. 00:39:54.860 --> 00:39:55.640 To keep thee. 00:39:55.880 --> 00:39:56.720 From sin. 00:39:57.160 --> 00:39:58.340 Before thou commit it. 00:39:58.599 --> 00:39:59.539 And he'll be sweet. 00:39:59.660 --> 00:40:00.440 In delivering thee. 00:40:00.519 --> 00:40:01.099 From sin. 00:40:01.480 --> 00:40:03.160 After thou hast committed it. 00:40:03.800 --> 00:40:05.240 Oh that this thought. 00:40:05.239 --> 00:40:06.539 That Jesus Christ. 00:40:06.539 --> 00:40:07.339 Is sweet. 00:40:07.339 --> 00:40:08.619 In his carriage. 00:40:08.619 --> 00:40:10.239 Unto all his members. 00:40:10.739 --> 00:40:11.919 Unto all his flock. 00:40:12.039 --> 00:40:13.519 Especially the sinning ones. 00:40:13.979 --> 00:40:14.500 May that persuade. 00:40:15.500 --> 00:40:16.039 The hearts. 00:40:16.199 --> 00:40:17.019 Of some sinners. 00:40:17.539 --> 00:40:18.039 To come. 00:40:18.500 --> 00:40:18.819 Into. 00:40:19.359 --> 00:40:19.919 His fold. 00:40:20.979 --> 00:40:22.019 Do you see how good. 00:40:22.239 --> 00:40:23.739 God is in Jesus Christ. 00:40:23.739 --> 00:40:23.839 Christ. 00:40:25.519 --> 00:40:27.079 He's laid down his life. 00:40:27.359 --> 00:40:29.019 For you who are his sheep. 00:40:29.199 --> 00:40:30.500 For you who know his voice. 00:40:30.739 --> 00:40:31.699 And follow him. 00:40:32.719 --> 00:40:33.959 If you are his sheep. 00:40:34.039 --> 00:40:35.739 Then he rules over your life. 00:40:35.819 --> 00:40:36.419 You want him. 00:40:36.659 --> 00:40:38.000 To rule over your life. 00:40:38.039 --> 00:40:38.919 And to care for you. 00:40:40.039 --> 00:40:41.259 He will guide your walk. 00:40:41.779 --> 00:40:42.639 He will feed you. 00:40:42.719 --> 00:40:43.039 Body. 00:40:43.279 --> 00:40:44.219 And soul. 00:40:44.679 --> 00:40:45.779 He protects you. 00:40:46.739 --> 00:40:48.199 And you who know the voice. 00:40:48.199 --> 00:40:49.099 Of Jesus Christ. 00:40:49.159 --> 00:40:50.039 You follow him. 00:40:50.479 --> 00:40:51.899 You want to obey him. 00:40:51.900 --> 00:40:53.160 You want to know him more. 00:40:53.760 --> 00:40:54.680 You love him. 00:40:55.099 --> 00:40:56.079 You trust him. 00:40:57.460 --> 00:40:58.619 It's been my prayer. 00:40:58.760 --> 00:40:59.599 Preparing for today. 00:40:59.720 --> 00:41:00.460 That you and I. 00:41:00.599 --> 00:41:01.740 Would learn even more today. 00:41:02.420 --> 00:41:03.760 What it is to rest. 00:41:04.059 --> 00:41:05.460 In his green pastures. 00:41:06.320 --> 00:41:08.440 What it is to let his Holy Spirit. 00:41:08.639 --> 00:41:10.079 Restore your soul. 00:41:10.440 --> 00:41:10.960 And mine. 00:41:11.860 --> 00:41:13.019 To abide in him. 00:41:13.539 --> 00:41:14.220 More and more. 00:41:15.139 --> 00:41:15.940 Now and forever. 00:41:17.400 --> 00:41:19.139 So make sure that the Lord. 00:41:19.840 --> 00:41:21.059 Is your good shepherd. 00:41:21.900 --> 00:41:23.119 Let's pray and thank him. 00:41:32.260 --> 00:41:32.980 Oh Lord. 00:41:33.079 --> 00:41:33.440 We are. 00:41:34.059 --> 00:41:35.320 So much like sheep. 00:41:36.900 --> 00:41:38.559 And you are so much better. 00:41:39.059 --> 00:41:40.880 Than even this glorious description. 00:41:40.880 --> 00:41:42.500 Of a good shepherd to us. 00:41:43.619 --> 00:41:45.380 We thank you for how you've stooped. 00:41:45.619 --> 00:41:46.079 So low. 00:41:46.079 --> 00:41:49.139 We thank you for how you've given us your word. 00:41:49.940 --> 00:41:51.960 How your word breathes life. 00:41:52.319 --> 00:41:53.019 Into our souls. 00:41:53.159 --> 00:41:53.779 And it sets. 00:41:54.319 --> 00:41:55.679 Everything right side up. 00:41:56.679 --> 00:41:58.840 We trust that you will continue to feed us. 00:41:59.139 --> 00:42:00.000 To guide us. 00:42:00.799 --> 00:42:02.019 To teach us to abide. 00:42:02.199 --> 00:42:02.659 In you. 00:42:03.059 --> 00:42:03.659 To find. 00:42:04.139 --> 00:42:04.739 Refreshing. 00:42:04.940 --> 00:42:05.860 For our souls. 00:42:06.279 --> 00:42:07.019 In your presence. 00:42:07.099 --> 00:42:07.579 Once again. 00:42:07.579 --> 00:42:09.799 We ask all of this. 00:42:09.799 --> 00:42:11.179 In the precious name. 00:42:11.460 --> 00:42:12.279 Of Jesus Christ. 00:42:12.779 --> 00:42:13.059 Amen.