If you weren’t able to make it to our worship gathering on Sunday night, here’s a taste of what was discussed:
“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.” Psalm 23
This 23rd Psalm is labeled the Shepherds Psalm because it depicts God as a good Shepherd, who cares for and looks after his flock. King David is credited with writing it. Now if anyone was qualified to portray God in this manner, it was David. We know from the Bible that David had been a shepherd before he became a king, so he had a pretty good idea of what a shepherd is like.
How often must David have looked up at the heavens on those star-filled nights while he was out watching over his father’s sheep and wondered about the very nature of God. There in the depths of his heart he must have thought about how much God was just like a shepherd. His days of shepherding had taught him a few things, so as he considered the shepherd’s work, he found an appropriate explanation there of what God does for his people.
Many of us love this Psalm because it talks so lovingly about our existence. Of all the psalms in the Bible, this 23rd Psalm is the best-known and best-loved of all of them — not to mention the most-memorized. It’s read at funerals to reassure the grief-stricken, and at hospital beds to cheer the suffering, and to those who have become discouraged by life. We read it tonight because it is a song of confidence — a song of confidence in God. Confidence in God’s provision, protection, and promises.
If you haven’t already, I want to encourage you to open up your hearts to God and invite Christ into your life so you, too, can sing a song of confidence and blessed assurance. You don’t have to go through life searching for what will make you happy, only to be let down and left empty by the material things of life. God will provide what you really need.
God will fulfill your lives in ways you never dreamed of. You don’t have to live anxious and worried lives because of difficulties and struggles. God will give you an inner calm. A peace that surpasses all understanding. And you don’t have to live with the uncertainty of tomorrow. God will fill you with the blessed assurance of an everlasting hope.
I hope to see you this Sunday afternoon at the Mansfield Activities Center (106 South Wisteria, Mansfield, 76063) as we take a look at the “Qualities of a Super Bowl Christian.” We’ll meet at a special time of 3 p.m. and then head over to Hal and Sandy’s house at 5 p.m. (4206 Nicklaus Ave., Mansfield, 76063) for a New Day Super Bowl party. Bring party snacks to share and canned goods to donate to a needy family in our community as we enjoy this yearly game together. It should be a very fun, inspiring day, regardless of whether you’re rooting for the Colts or the Saints! Hope to see you there!