The Lord, My Shepherd

The Lord is My Shepherd

Very few passages of scripture offer more words of comfort and has touched more lives than this little psalm referred to as the “Nightingale Psalm,” Psalm 23. It has gone into more homes, hospital rooms, churches, funeral parlors, nursing homes and counseling centers than any other single passage. It is the first words of the Bible many memorize and the last words many recite as they expire. It is astonishing to consider the many ways this text has accomplished so much for so many.

The Lord is my shepherd...

The Lord is my shepherd…

Many passages are easy for us to ignore and overlook because they become so familiar to us. Nevertheless, I want us to delve into this rich psalm in this issue and glean some truths to help us through our difficult lives. Thus, we need not to commit this psalm simply to memory, but we need to commit this psalm to life!

Psalm 23 appears in a trio of Messianic psalms—Psalms 22, 23 and 24.

  • Psalm 22 discusses the Savior, who suffered on the cross of Calvary. This is our Lord of the past, pictured with a cross.
  • Psalm 23 discusses the Shepherd, who because of such is able to meet the needs of His beloved. This is our Lord of the present, pictured with a crook.
  • Psalm 24 discusses the Sovereign, who returns triumphantly and victoriously over sin and death. This is our Lord of the future, pictured with a crown.

As we continue, notice the first line and see the presence of our shepherd: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Undoubtedly, we have studied the unique role and relationship between a shepherd and his sheep. We know the impact this has due to the involvement of David as a shepherd boy of his youth trying to provide for his flock, protect and guide his flock and lead his flock. Of all the animals in the world, none is more dependent upon others than helpless sheep. They are extremely helpful, but they are also extremely helpless.

Therefore, as David ponders these things, he thinks about the relationship that he has with his God. To breathe is to think about God. To live from day to day is to think about the goodness, greatness and graciousness of God.

As we consider the presence of our shepherd, notice the personal connotation. He is not simply “a shepherd,” or even “the shepherd,” but David wrote that He was “my shepherd.” In fact, this small psalm of just six verses contains no less than seventeen personal references. Yet, not everyone can make this acclamation. Nevertheless, based upon our own relationship with the Lord through faith, repentance, confession and baptism into the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we can understand this personal relationship (cf. John 10:11-15). Therefore, He possesses me, and I possess Him. How wonderful it is to awaken each day, to live each day, to look forward to each day, to enjoy each day and to close each day with these words on our lips and in our hearts! This makes all the difference in the world! Thus, this statement is a statement of hope and trust (cf. 2 Tim. 1:11-12).

Once the relationship of the sheep and the shepherd is established, then the basis of that relationship opens the door to the significance of the psalm: “I shall not want.” In essence, this forms the leading thought of the rest of the psalm. In detail, David discusses the fact that he shall not want for provisions, protection and promises. May this issue that is dedicated entirely to this beloved psalm bring you closer to the Shepherd!

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The Greatest American

The Greatest American

Who would you select to be the “Greatest American?” Someone recently wrote and said they would select their mother and father because to them, those individuals are the greatest Americans that he has known. That’s pretty good thinking.

Who is the greatest?

Who is the greatest?

Often what we think of as the “greatest” isn’t based upon what truly has affected us as great, but what society as a whole pressures us to think of as “great.” The “great” must be someone who has achieved fame, is above average, esteemed highly, accomplished some great achievement, or attained special academic status. And while some may attain such levels in this life, the majority of the earth’s population simply won’t measure up, at least, according to the world’s standard.

How comforting then is it to know that God doesn’t have the same standard as the world. There was one occasion in the life of Jesus when his disciples took up this very question: “Who is the greatest?” (Matthew 18:1). The next few verses read: “And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:2-4).

At another opportunity, some disciples were arguing over who would sit on the right hand and left of Jesus in the kingdom. We read Jesus response in Matthew 20:25-28 “But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

It’s not the “great” who will be the “greatest” in God’s kingdom, but the one who humbles himself and becomes everyone else’s servant.

I’ve heard some ask, “Well, who might that ‘great’ one be? Who is the most humble? Who serves the most?” This is missing the point. It is just getting back to the same question the disciples had already asked, just in a different form. The point Jesus is making is that there is no one person who is “the greatest.” At the same time there may be many who are the “greatest.” How is that so?

What matters is our attitude. Even when we have served all that we can serve, we must still admit that we are unprofitable servants according to Luke 17:10. In that regard, we can never be the greatest. At the same time, we can be the greatest that we can be in the eyes of the Lord if we seek to love him with all of our heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37). In this way, God sees us as His children, each being what they can be to be pleasing to their father. So each of us can be the “greatest” and at the same time none of us will be “the greatest.”

In this regard, Micah 6:8 comes to mind. The people in Micah’s day were kind of asking this same question. They wanted to know what they could do to be the greatest. Would thousands of burnt offerings do it? How about 10,000 rivers of oil? What about sacrificing my firstborn? None of those things would have made them great, so far as God was concerned. Instead the reply is: “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” Indeed, that’s what it takes to be the greatest.

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Discipline is In

Discipline is In

All of us have watched fads come and go. As time passes we change makeup, hemlines, and hairstyles. Some might remember plaid pants, bell-bottoms (the 1st time), parachute pants, or stone washed jeans. Manufacturers love for fads to come in and out of style because it usually means that our culture is purchasing more stuff. Even electronics come and go (e.g., beta machines, 8-tracks, etc.).

Discipline by spanking is frowned upon by many.

Discipline by spanking is frowned upon by many.

Christians are constantly bombarded with the concept that we need to keep up with the latest style or trend. The reality is just the opposite. In fact, if society is embracing something, Christians probably need to be going the other direction. Case in point, discipline. Currently, in America, the concept of spanking is “outdated” and is considered politically incorrect. In fact, some would argue that it is a form of abuse that harms a child’s self-esteem. One word: hogwash!

Today, we had the pleasure of teaching 5 lessons at 3 different schools! We taught Bible and science to High School and Jr. High students. It was such a joy opening the Bible and demonstrating to the students how the scientific evidence truly fits God’s Word. The students were very attentive and asked great questions, as we explored things like alleged fossil men, the inspiration of the Bible, and the dinosaurs.

However, one thing that stood out was how well behaved the students were during our time together. They demonstrated an air of respect and obedience, that to be totally honest, I have not seen in a while—even in many churches. And I think I know why. During one of my lessons two young men in a different class were taken into the hallway and spanked. Right there as I was speaking!

I could not help but smile as I thought to myself, “So that’s why the students are so well behaved; they recognize they may be punished for bad behavior.” For these students there are real consequences to their actions.

In most American schools Bibles and Paddles are a thing of the past. In schools that do still allow spanking, the paperwork required is often so burdensome that teachers don’t even bother. But it’s not just schools where discipline has become extinct. Many homes—including Christian homes—no longer discipline children. Instead we embrace the latest “fad” like time out or building up their self-esteem.

Solomon, in his wisdom declared, “He who spares his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him promptly” (Proverbs 13:24). Later on he cautioned, “Do not withhold correction from a child, for if you beat him with a rod, he will not die. You shall beat him with a rod and deliver his soul from hell” (Proverbs 23:13-14). I have listened to many Bible “scholars” try to put a different spin on these verses, suggesting that it is not actually talking about spanking children. Those verses are not hard to understand, and they don’t change over time. (Consider also, Proverbs 22:15).

Christians need to wake up and realize that God’s way still works. It’s not a fad or the latest “feel good” theory—but rather a method delivered by our Creator. His ways do not change with other fads.

Solomon warned “Chasten your son while there is hope, and do not set your heart on his destruction (Proverbs 19:18). Now contrast that with a statement he wrote earlier: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor detest his correction; for whom the Lord loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights” (Proverbs 3:11).

Have we failed to teach our children that actions have consequences? What does this mean when our children turn into adults and give no thought about their actions or eternal destiny? In the Bahamas the students still recognize that disrespect and disobedience will result in a swift punishment. What about in our own congregations and homes?

Tonight I will sleep extremely well. After teaching 5 lessons at the schools we then conducted a seminar in the community center in Freeport that started at 7:00pm. It was extremely well attended and those in attendance asked great questions! It appears that things are really off to a tremendous start. Continue to pray for the success of our time here.

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Do Not Flee as a Bird

Do Not Flee as a Bird to the Mountain

In Bible times, birds were hunted and served as delicacies for food. There were skilled archers whose arrows took the lives of those birds that fled. Their only hope was to run from the places of safety and flee to the mountains where they might escape. The psalmist, in the eleventh psalm, saw all of this and then used this illustration to affirm that God’s children do not need to flee. He said that it was folly for the enemy to chide the righteous and tell them to flee.

Do you flee like a bird?

Do you flee like a bird?

David’s answer to those who told him to flee was that his trust was in God (verse 1). Let the ungodly bring any “arrow” against him, but God’s children do not need to flee. We already have the surest foundation. David then speaks of four foundations which cannot be assailed. How timely these truths are in our day when the foundation of faith is being assailed.

We will prevail because God is in His holy temple. The ruling of the courts of our land redefining marriage has changed nothing. The real Supreme Court is not found in Washington. Nothing has changed about sexual orientation. It is God who is supreme and He alone has all authority—truth is determined from that throne where He sits in His holy temple (verse 4). We do not need to flee as a helpless bird. The foundation of truth is established by the Lord who abides forever.

We will prevail, for godly people see “arrows” as tests from God. David did not need to flee as a helpless bird from those things hurled at him from the ungodly. They were simply tests from God (verse 5). He saw adversity, not as a curse, but as that by which he would be strengthened. The truth is that the trying of our faith is one of the ways God helps us to mature in Christ and become perfect and lacking in nothing (see James 1:2-4).

We will prevail, for God will bring judgment on those who assail us. “Upon the wicked He will rain coals; fire and brimstone…” (verse 6). This is the big picture. When foundational truth we hold so dear is attacked, we must remember that God sits on His throne and His holiness will prevail. Fire and brimstone await those who oppose righteousness.

We will prevail, for God loves righteousness. David urged men to stand fast and not flee to helpless mountains when they were assaulted. Because of God’s nature, His violence awaits the ungodly, but “He loves righteousness, and His countenance beholds the upright” (verse 7). Every fiery dart of the Devil has been quenched by the shield of faith we have. He knows us; He knows our enemies; He sees us and His ears are open to us.

So when faith is attacked. Do not flee! Take time to fortify your faith!

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A Doer of the Work

Don’t Be Like Mike

“Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (Jas. 1:21-22).

Don't just talk, be a doer and walk the walk.

Don’t just talk, be a doer and walk the walk.

This passage of Scripture reminds me of a time when (as a kid) I stopped by a friend’s house after school one day.  My friend’s name was Mike and he had some health problems.  While we were busy playing, Mike’s mother came to the door and handed him a prescription bottle and said, “Mike, it’s time to take your medicine.”  After she walked away Mike just tossed it on his chair and went back to playing.  A little while later, from another room, she yelled, “Mike, did you hear what I said?”  He answered, “Yeah, mom, I heard you.”  But still he just sat there and played. Finally, I asked him, “Why don’t you take your medicine?  Won’t it help you to get better?”  He said, “Yeah, it’s supposed to.”  “Well,” I said, “it’s not going to do you a whole lot of good if you don’t use it.”

The same is true with the word of God.  You may believe what it says, but if you don’t apply what it says it won’t benefit you at all.  Some people talk the talk but are ill equipped to deal with life and are unprepared for the Judgment because they don’t walk the walk.  James said, “For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.  But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does” (Jas. 1:23-25).

Friends, when it comes to the Bible don’t be like Mike.  Don’t just hear what God said, do what God said; “for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified” (Rom. 2:13).

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