Psalm 23:4a Continued

Written Feb. - Mar. 1999

Psalm 23:4a continued ---

Quote by W.M. Thomson - (From Spurgeon's Treasury of David)

Come down to the river; there is something going forward worth seeing. Your shepherd is about to lead his flock across; and as our Lord says of the good shepherd - you observe that he goes before, and the sheep follow. Not all in the same manner, however. Some enter
boldly, and come straight across. These are the loved ones of the flock, who keep hard by the footsteps of the shepherd, whether sauntering through green meadows by the still waters, feeding upon the mountains, or resting at noon beneath the shadow of great rocks.And now others enter, but in doubt and alarm. Far from their guide,they miss the ford, and are carried down the river, some more, some less; and yet one by one, they all struggle over and make good their landing. Notice those little lambs. They refuse to enter, and must be driven into the stream by the shepherd's dog, mentioned by Job in his 'parable'. Poor things! How they leap, and plunge, and bleat in terror! That weak one yonder will be swept quite away, and perish in the sea. But no; the shepherd himself leaps into the stream, lift sit into his bosom, and bears it trembling to the shore. All safely over, how happy they appear! The lambs frisk and gambol about in high spirits, while the older ones gather around their faithful guide, and look up to him in subdued but expressive thankfulness. Now, can you watch such a scene, and not think of that Shepherd who leadeth Joseph like a flock; and of another river, which all his sheep must cross? He, too, goes before, and; as in the case of this flock they who keep near him "fear no evil". They hear his sweet voice, saying, "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee." (Is. 43:2) With eye fastened on him they scarcely see the stream, or feel its cold and the threatening waves.

Oh, what a comfort to my heart is this scene, for I fear that I am too much like the weak one who was almost swept away. Yet my faith is being increased, and I joy to know that even the weak ones shall make it safely across that river of death - safely across to the arms of the Saviour!

By Thy Grace

Our heart is not turned back, neither have our steps declined from thy way; Thought thou hast sore broken us in the place of dragons, and COVERED US with the SHADOW OF DEATH." (Ps. 44:18-19)

This environmental illness is the "shadow of death", but surely it is only a shadow and not the real thing. Tears come to my eyes when I meditated on this the other day: Millions in third world countries are suffering with NO HOPE, and it all ends in eventual death with
endless suffering FOREVER and EVER! But thanks be to You, dear God, for my suffering shall end in perfect peace and healing with LIFE EVERLASTING! O Lord, have mercy on these poor people. Send forth laborers into Your harvest to tell them the GOOD NEWS of life in Jesus through His shed blood - the GOOD NEWS that suffering will end in peace if they are SATISFIED in Jesus NOW. Send me, O Lord, send me! In Jesus' name, may I go and FEAR NO EVIL! Thank-You, Lord, for victory this morning!