Perspectives

Psalm 23:1-6… 1) The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2) He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3) he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 4) Even though I walk through the darkest valley I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5) You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6) Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. (NIV)

Over the years Psalm 23 has brought comfort to those who suffer from all the hurt, anguish, pain, remorse, distress, misery, sadness and wretchedness… we could go on and on. When human minds are clouded with emotional disturbance from all the bumps and all the bruises that challenge us, we often turn to the beautiful and familiar 23rd Psalm. Here is courage and comfort.

Death is the supreme test of life. This is not just talking about the deathbed. Our human family lives in the shadow of death. All this is brought out in the beautiful simplicity in these few verses. Here is richness, quietness, an assurance that sets the soul at rest. “Will not fear, for thou art with me”… with me in every situation, in every dark pathway, in every dismal disappointment and every distressing predicament.

How we long to make things better. How we long for the day when all things will be made right. We want to get beyond the worldly wise. We want to have a more intimate walk with God. We often hear people speak of mountaintop experiences… we envy those who seemed to have ascended the heights and entered this loftier virtuous noble sort of life.  Perhaps we often have the wrong idea about how this takes place. It is as though we imagined we could be air lifted onto higher ground. That somehow we could by-pass all the hardships of life and make one flying leap into the very presence of God.

For those of us down here on earth there is still a life to live. There are still valleys to walk through during our remaining days. These need not be dead end streets. The disappointments, the frustrations, the discouragement, dark and difficult days though they are shadowed valleys, need not be a disaster. They can be the road to higher ground in our walk with God. Again and again we must remind ourselves; God, this seems terribly tough! But, we know for a fact that in the end it will prove to be the easiest and gentlest way to get us onto higher ground. Then when we thank Him for the difficult things; in those dark days we discover that He is there with us in distress… at this point our panic, our fear, our misgiving give way to calm and quiet confidence in His care. Somehow; in a peaceful quiet way we are assured all will turn out well for our best because He is with us in the valley and things are under His control.

When our faith is big enough, our conviction is strong enough, and we are persuaded that God is in control, we enter an attitude of quiet acceptance of every adversity. We can say that we have moved onto higher ground with God. Knowing Him in this new and intimate manner makes life much more bearable than before. As Christians we will sooner or later discover that it is in the valley of our life that we find a hushed reassurance from God Himself. It is not until we have walked with Him through some very deep troubles that we discover He can lead us to find our strength in Him right there in the midst of our difficulty. We are thrilled beyond words when we move toward restoration to our soul and spirit from Christ’s gracious Spirit.

That is what is meant in Psalm 139:23-24 when the psalmist wrote, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive ways in me, and lead me in the way everlasting”. If we will allow it, if we will submit to it, God by His Word will search us. This is a process from which we need not shrink. It is not something to avoid. It is done with love and compassion for our welfare. The Great Shepherd of our soul has our own best interest at heart when He so searches us. What a comfort this should be to the child of God who can trust in God’s care… Then truly we can say, “The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want”. To God Be the Glory.

Would you pray this prayer with me…  “Lord Jesus, come into my heart. Forgive my sins. I want my life to change. My thoughts and my attitude need to change. I don’t have peace in my heart, I really want that peace, joy and happiness that I long for. Please let the Holy Spirit help me be the kind of Christian that will bring honor to Your Name.” Amen