Psalm 23:4 

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” The words are in the present tense, it deals with now, living and dying today. We need protection and help today.

The “valley of the shadow of death” could be a dark, deep ravine with sharp cliffs that cast shadows. The shepherd would know there were better pastures ahead but in order to get to them he would have to lead the sheep through these dark ravines. There may be danger ahead from the cliffs themselves or from animals hiding and waiting for their prey.

As we journey along the Christian path we may find ourselves going through dark and dangerous places, and difficult times.  Life can take a turn for the worst, our circumstances may look grim. King David had days like that. His life was threatened, he had to hide out from his enemies, king Saul was hunting him down to kill him. He faced wild beasts that threatened to kill his sheep. He would use his rod and staff often to defend the sheep from danger. God is our shield, our fortress, our rock to protect us from danger. He is watching over us every day. Anything that happens to us must first be filtered through His fingers, He must permit it because he is nothing can separate us from Christ. Jesus says, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” Paul says, “Nothing shall separate us from the love of Christ…” (Rom.8:8-39), including death, disaster, circumstances, and even Satan himself, absolutely nothing. He takes all the bad things that happen to us as well as the good things and works them together for His own good will.  (Rom. 8:28). He is all wise and only permits what is for your ultimate good. You can trust Him with your life. God will take care of you.

Walk with the Good Shepherd through the Valleys, the difficult times (Ps 23:4-5).

The Good Shepherd’s presence is with you in times of trials. David’s languages changes in this verse he speaks directly to God about times of trial, He leans on his relationship with God and says, “You”. He draws near to God, he need his direct help.  There are fearful and difficult circumstances in “the valley of the shadow of death”.

He will protect you in the valley, He will feed you in the dark place, He will give you water to drink from the steams of water there, He will protect you from the dangers that lurk there. This is often the time we get closer to God, in difficult times and when circumstances are against us.  It is often the place he revives and refreshes us. We come out of the valley having walked closer to God than we do on the mountain top.  It is His presence that takes away our fear. He protects us with his rod and staff. He uses His rod of authority to chase away the predators. He disciplines wayward sheep with it also. He uses His staff to lift us out of a hole we have fallen into or to guide us on the right path. These two pieces of equipment bring help and comfort to the sheep.

Yea, though I walk, there is no panic here, the believer is not to panic at the valley experience they are to keep on walking in the Spirit, even in the most difficult times like severe illness and death. Walking is a step by step process. Keep on walking with God. Keep on going forward with him regardless what is happening all around. He knows the path ahead, it is safe to walk with him. There is grace for living, for times of trial and grace for dying. We don’t go through it on our own, He goes with us.

through We walk through the valley we don’t stay in it. We go through trials and difficulties we don’t stay in them. Even death is something we don’t stay in we go through it to the other side and be with Jesus for ever and ever. We close our eyes here in death but open our eyes  in Heaven. Death is a shadow we pass through. We can have peace and assurance in the valley.

The God of the Valleys

“And there came a man of God, and spake unto the king of Israel, and said, Thus saith the LORD, Because the Syrians have said, The LORD is God of the hills, but he is not God of the valleys, therefore will I deliver all this great multitude into thine hand, and ye shall know that I am the LORD .” (1 Kings 20:28)

He is not only the God of the hills but also the God of the valleys. The Syrians who were enemies of  Israel spoke  these words. Israel had fallen away from God. The Syrians had been defeated by Israel. They said “God of the hills” at the first victory (v.23) and the second victory proved that He was the “God of the valleys”.

Many of us have proved him on the hilltop experience. We have had those happy and glorious days, days when it seemed nothing could go wrong. We felt good, we believed we could slay any giant. Everything was going well.  These are wonderful times.

On our way to heaven we will pass through a valley, a time of trouble, a difficult experience. Our circumstances may suddenly change and we are not on the mountain top. Some valleys are very deep but the God of the valleys will bring you through. He who begun a good work in us will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ (Phil. 1:6.

“the valley of the shadow of death,” it is not “the valley of death, “but the valley of the shadow of death, there is no sun there, it is only the shadow. This is a valley with high walls as eight hundred feet very close together so that at the bottom of the valley the sun hardly penetrates it, it is a dark valley.  It is also a very dangerous place for sheep. This is the place where the wolves, the lions and the bears were found. Some of you are going the valley today, it may be circumstances with your health, your parents, your children, at your job or a death. We will all go through it in the future. At that time you need to know God is with you he does not leave or abandon you, He does not forsake you, He stays with you in times of trouble , in the valley. “But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour…” Isa. 43:1-3).

A shadow comes because there light shining. Paul said, “Oh death where is thy sting..” Jesus took the sting of death for us. We don’t have to fear “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” (Heb, 2:14-15). Death has been conquered by Jesus.  When it comes our time He will bring us through it. He is our light that chases away the shadows. The shadow of a lion cannot kill, the shadow of a snake cannot strike, the shadow of death cannot destroy us.

The valley may be death.

The Good Shepherd knows what it is to loose someone He loved to death, his friend Lazarus went through it, He himself passed through that dark valley, but God was with him. Angels ministered to him. He defeated death, sin and Satan. Death puts its cold icy hands on everyone, it casts a shadow over humanity. Jesus fought and defeated death and Satan in the valley of the Shadow of Death. He fought Satan and defeated him. This wonderful verse has brought great comfort to many on their death . It has given hope and consolation and comfort.

The valley may be a time of depression

Your heart is cast down within you and you are walking through dark experiences. “The valley of the shadow of death.” Is a dark, gloomy place, a depressing place.  The Valley of gloom, the valley of tears. Are you going through the valley of depression? Is your heart heavy? Have you lost your song in the night? Someone may say, “You should not be depressed.” But we sometimes are. It may be because of over tiredness, it may be because of circumstances, You try to put on a brave face. Let these words comfort you “I will be with you.” They will give you comfort and strength to go on. God’s people suffer of darkness than others. My grandmother rejoiced on her deathbed and had a vision of Jesus coming for her.

The Valley of Baca (Psalm 84:5-6)

The valley may be  trials, of the unknown, of weeping. This is when life is hard and you feel you cant go on. You feel the Lord is far from you.The Man of Sorrows will comfort you. “Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them. Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools”  “In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer for I have overcome the word.” “..we have peace with God and glory in tribulation.”  “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:  By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” Rom. 5:1-5

The valley may be any peculiar trials.

When we go through great trials and feel unable to cope. When we are in that valley experience and all seems hopeless or lost. Remember He is with you.   The Shepherd will take care of you. Do not fear.  The Good Shepherd will guide you through. “When you pass through the waters I will be with you…” When you become perplexed and troubled in your soul you must go to God and dwell in his peace and have confidence and faith that he is with you through it all. He will lead you with his rod and Your staff, they comfort me!. It may be a dangerous valley. Robbers may be waiting to attack and rob you. Your life may be in danger. Enemies may attack you and wound you. But He will come to your rescue. “Yea, though I walk” David doesn’t walk alone he walks with the shepherd, He is with the sheep. People may forsake you but he won’t. All the saints go into the valley but they went through, they did not stay in. David said, “Why art thy downcast o my soul? Awake thee and praise the Lord.”

 The valley may be severe illness.

God sometimes leads his people through sorrow and pain.  He is there with you in that hospital, in that sick room. Trust Him.

The valley may be times of conflict

“…in the presence of mine enemies”.  Every person who followed God in history has had times of conflict. You have enemies, the world, the flesh, the devil as well as some people, you cannot escape it.  Nobody likes or wants conflict

In all these there is comfort, “Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me” .He will use his rod to protect you and drive back your enemy you are to lean upon his staff to get strength in the darkest hour.

The Valley of Elah – of Satanic Attack

“And the Philistines stood on a mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side: and there was a valley between them. Now Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel , were in the valley of Elah , fighting with the Philistines “ (1 Sam. 17:1, 17)

It was here that Goliath harassed the people of Israel. They were full of fear. Satan often threatens us and harasses us. He is like a roaring lion, a dragon, an old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan. He is a powerful enemy Jude 9, “Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee”. Do you have a Goliath in the valley today? God will defeat him through Christ.  Jesus, who has met the enemy and defeated him, spoiled principalities and powers, now at God’s right hand with all power in heaven and earth given to Him.

I will fear no evil. The evil will not frighten him. Jesus won the victory over evil. He takes away the fear of those shadows of evil. Many times evil is in our minds and we fear for nothing. Some Christians fear the evil of sickness or death, or unemployment, or heartache Jesus can deal with our fears, our phobias. I will not fear Satan or his demons Jesus has won the victory over them.

For thou art with me. My Creator Father is with me every day, I shall not fear. Here the sheep turn their eyes away from the dangers to the shepherd and his business was to deal with adversaries and foes, the grievous wolves. If sheep are in danger their safety is found in the shepherd. Jesus said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” And “I will be with you to the end of the age.”

Thy rod and thy staff. They guide and rule my life. They protect me from dangers and let me know He is in control.

they comfort me. It is wonderful to know there they are there for our for our protection.  They give me a sense of belonging to the great God of the Universe is my Father, that comforts me.

One day we will see Him. Some of us will die”, Paul said, “To die is gain”, and “departing to be with Christ, which is far better.”  But those who are alive at His coming “shall be caught up together with the Lord in the air”.  The living saints on earth will experience this when He comes for His Church. Paul says this is our hope, our comfort at the prospect of death.

Yes in the present life there are valleys, but when we are in the presence of Jesus, the Light , all shadows will disappear. “Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death. You, O Lord, are with me! Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” David was very much alive when he wrote this Psalm. He knew the Good Shepherd in his daily experience. He is lying down in green pastures and following his Lord by still waters. He knows he will be protected from any danger. He believes goodness and mercy to follow him through all his days. This Psalm is for us today not when we die.

“Why art thy downcast o my soul? Awake thee and praise the Lord.”

Psalm 23:3

Most people in the world are looking for guidance. Satan has some paths also. Some go to astrology and seek it from the stars. Some go and have their tea cups or palms tread hoping to find out the future. Some go to a medium and seek the dead. All this is occult or trickery to get people to follow them, get power or money. God warns against them, “And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?” (Isa. 8:19);  And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the Lord thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven. (Deut. 4:19.)

There are those who think life is a chance happening. Jacques Monod said “For some time now, the unpleasant idea has been dawning on mankind that it may owe its existence to nothing but a roll of some cosmological set of dice.”  In other words it is mere chance that all the molecule, and atoms in their complexity came together to bring order out of chaos. This is absurd. There is order in the human body, order in the universe. There is the invisible guiding hand of God ordering it all.

We all need guidance to know how to live in this confusing world. There is no one shot decision that is ever going to do anything special for you. Your life must be made up of thousands and thousands of decisions. Some of these decisions will be compatible with your spiritual gift.

Some seek guidance about a boyfriend or girlfriend, a husband or wife, a job, what college we should apply for what university course should they follow. People need guidance in financial affairs, in what home to buy, where to live. It is endless. Most of the time we can get direction from the Word of God He guides us what paths to go down. God’s Word tells us, “Go this way! Don’t go that way!” Things that are not as clear can be helped by using Biblical principles. His paths are paths of righteousness. The Good Shepherd will only guide in paths of righteousness. To continue in sin will take us of the path. “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord abstain from wickedness” (2 Tim. 2:19). God’s name is bound up with our walk as believers. He has chosen to identify His holy name with us. If we live just like the world, we cause His name to be blasphemed. For His name’s sake, He guides us in paths of righteousness.

Life is active, we cannot always lie down in the fold. Sheep are on the move and need direction. The believer has to go out to work or school or college or into the community. We rest in order to move out the next day to work or do our duties.

The Good Shepherd provides spiritual guidance.

David led his father’s sheep along to greener paths to on a daily basis. He would lead them to paths he knew before hand, paths he approved of. They may lead up through mountain passes, or ravines, or over the barren wilderness of the desert. The shepherd was well acquainted with these paths, he knew the ones to avoid and the ones that were good and safe. They sheep were safe and secure if they follow him. He would lead them to a safe place.

Our Lord, our Good Shepherd; knows the dangers in this world we live in, He is aware of the pitfalls and dangers that lie ahead. When we follow Him He will lead us through the mountain path, through the desert places and bring us to a safe place. We Christians have chosen the narrow way that leads to life, we have gone through the door and now we follow that way. Sometimes it seems too narrow for us, or that it is too rugged and uphill. But He knows where He is taking us. We must keep focused on the Good Shepherd and depend upon His wisdom and knowledge of the terrain and have confidence that He will get us to the destination.

We need to see where we are going and Receive Instruction and Teaching.

“He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.”

“Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psa. 119:105). This is a picture of a person walking along a difficult and dangerous path or road on a dark night. If he had a torch, a lantern he could see where he was going and avoid any pitfalls or danger before him. Peter in the New Testament says, “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place” (2 Peter 1:19). The world is the “dark place” and Gods Word, is “light” to guide us. God’s Word cannot be a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path unless we know His Word.

Psalm 32:8- 9 “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go.” God says He will instruct and teach you in the way which thou shalt go. He has a plan for you, a way, a path for you to go. He says, “I will guide thee with Mine eye.” He does not want you to go your own way, or say “I done it my way”. Nor does he want you to be stubborn like a mule and fight against the way He has chosen for us. “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof (are) the ways of death” Proverbs 14:12.   God has a plan, a way for each one of us to go. He will guide us and reveal through His Word.

God’s eternal plan for you includes His providence, “The ways of a man are in his heart but God directs his footsteps.” Proverbs 16:9. The people you meet the situations you come across are no accident but a divine appointment for you. As believers we make thousands of decisions each day so it is good to commit our way unto Him and ask for wisdom to make the right choices.  We don’t make just one decision and it’s over. You have to make thousands of them. Some of Gods sheep have a difficult path to travel seem not to have too many problems in life. But He will bring us all home.

False Shepherds

Some people have been led astray through false teachers or wrong understanding of the Word. We must understand what the Bible says about a subject. Peter warns Christians of all ages: “But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways” (2 Peter 2:1,2). Christ said: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves” (Matthew 7:15). False teachers are false not only in doctrine but also in their appearance. They pretend to be something they are not. On the inside they are vicious wolves who kill and scatter the sheep. But they wear a sheepskin to trick the sheep. What does God think about false teachers? “Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!” (Jeremiah 23:1). They will be punished for their evil deeds: “You have scattered My flock, driven them away, and not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your doings” (Jeremiah 23:2). Shame on the shepherds who let my sheep scatter and be lost! says the Lord. Those who pastor and lead God’s people have a great responsibility. They must teach the truth and be a good example to the people and lead them into a relationship with God. God sees those who misuse their authority as shameful.

With leadership comes heavy responsibility.  The Lord holds accountable those who have spiritual authority over the people of God.

In verses 9 and 10 Jeremiah laments the terrible state of the land “because of the prophets.” “For both prophet and priest are profane” (verse 11). Profane means ‘secular’, ‘not holy’. The prophets and priests were supposed to be spiritual and holy. Instead, they were secular.

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. The Christian wants to obey in love to the Good Shepherd because He lovingly leads us. They know God’s Word is the most important thing for their guidance and they follow its directions. You cannot neglect it or pick and choose what pleases you.

 “Paths” is in the plural, “the paths of righteousness.” The plural, suggests divine leadings in all the individual ways of our lives. The Christian life is described as being narrow. The Lord leads his individual sheep through one experience after another, overruling each one for his eternal good. “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths” (Prov. 3:5, 6). First trust or lean upon and have full confidence in the Lord. You can count upon Him in every emergency, to look to Him for the supply of every need, to say with the Psalmist “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psa. 23:1). It means that we cast all our cares upon Him, we trust Him every day for our needs. We rely upon His ability, His wisdom, His knowledge and grace.  We trust Him like a little child trusts their parent. We believe He will do as He says.

Then it says, “and lean not unto thine own understanding,” we are not to trust in our own wisdom or human reason. Many of God’s ways are “past finding out,” you cannot solve the mysteries of Providence or His Infinite wisdom.

Fourthly, “in all thy ways acknowledge Him.” We acknowledge He is in control. We seek His guidance in every thing we do “ALL THY WAYS”. Paul says “In every thing by prayer and supplication” (Phil. 4:6). And, “whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31).

We desire Gods blessings on our lives. We seek His glory.

Lastly, “And He shall direct thy paths”: When we obey the whole verse he will do this. Sheep are prone to stray or wander. Bur the Good Shepherd will “direct” or “make straight” our paths. The world has lost its way, it is mixed up and confused. Wickedness and deceit are all around. We need Him to “direct our paths.”  We need to follow Gods will.

As we move out and about in our daily lives we need direction and the wisdom what path to choose and where will it lead us. It should lead us to righteousness or the right place. The wilderness, or desert there are no tracks or roads that run alongside each other. There are many paths one could take in this world.  As we have many choices or paths to take each day it is important to make the right choices, there are consequences for making the wrong ones. But whatever we do it should be “for his name’s sake.”

Ver. 3. Paths of righteousness. The path may be narrow and so full of ruts, we need His help to get through them. They are right paths, He will never lead us into wrong paths or to paths that are contrary to His Word. He will not lead you down the path of error or false teaching or to follow false teachers or prophets. They are “paths of righteousness” and  the Great Shepherd knows his way around, He will lead us safely through each day.  Sometimes the paths go through the wilderness “My Lord knows the way through the wilderness all I have to is follow.” He knows where there are difficulties, exposures and every danger.

Ver. 3. For his name’s sake. “Whatever we do we should do for the glory of God.” Good sheep will give a good name to the Good Shepherd bad sheep will bring derision upon Him. .

The Christian is in full time service for the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Spirit will lead you to have a life of fruitfulness (Gal. 5:22-23), Each believer has at least one spiritual gift. Our gift is a help in guiding us what way to go, how to serve him.  It helps us follow His directions.  Your path may be a mother, a wife, a husband, a teacher, a children’s worker, a bus driver, a computer expert, or using your gifts to minister in music, in prayer etc. You have to make many every day. The Spirit will never lead you away from holiness, , many decisions in line with the will of God and with the Word of God. You use your will to make decisions.

Vs 8 “I will guide thee with Mine eye.” Gods way is not a mystery, He doesn’t hide from you. He reveals it to you

Led by the Spirit Gal.5:17-18

For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. (Gal.5:17-18)

To be led by the Spirit is the same as walking by Him (vv. 16, 25, Romans 8:3-4). He guides us.  Walking by the Spirit is a step at a time. It is keeping in step with the Spirit. Not running ahead of Him or behind Him. When we are children we to learn to walk. The apostle Peter says we need the milk of the Word to help us walk spiritually. The milk strengthens strengthen us as we read it study it are taught it.

You will have difficult times and a variety of circumstances as you walk your path, you may be confused or when the flesh tempts and seduce you. He will never lead you into a lie, into error, for He is the Spirit of truth (John 16:13-15), He will lead you to pray (Ephesians 2:18), He gives you assurance (Romans 8:16), He will enable you to witness (Acts 1:8). He will showus that “the friendship of the world is enmity with God” (James 4:4)

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” Romans 8:4. The Spirit of God leads the people of God. Don’t resist Him, don’t grieve Him, follow His directions. He will lead you to live right and do right. He will not bring you into bondage or legalism to the law, “But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.”  “He whom the Son sets free is free indeed.” We are to “Stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ has set us free and not be entangled again with the yoke of bondage”. Galatians 5:1.

Don’t Be Ignorant About Gods Will

“Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is” (Eph. 5:17).

God wants us to use our brain and a sanctified common sense and Godly conscience to follow  and serve Him. He wants us to be enlightened by the Word and convicted by the Spirit. Believers need instructed by His Word. He wants to lead us to His paths and be acquainted with His ways. God will reveal His will for us. He says “Lean not unto thine own understanding!” (Prov. 3:5). He says “Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help” (Psa. 146:3.) God makes something good out of the messes we make of our lives. He knows the hidden things and leads His sheep step-by-step. We follow our shepherd through the divine wisdom and helps us make the best possible decisions (James 1:5;). We are not to lean on our own understanding but trust in the Lord (Prov. 3:5, 6).

His direct will. God’s Will of Decree, or Sovereign Will

The “will of God” He is sovereign and in control of all that comes to pass. Jesus said in Gethsemane, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” Matt. 26:29. Gods plan would be accomplished. Acts 4:27-28. The “will of God” was that Jesus must die. He decreed and nothing could change it.

Gods permissive will was that he permitted sinful men like, Herod, Pilate, the soldiers, the Jewish leaders to fulfill God’s will that his Son be crucified (Isa. 53:10). .

Gods overruling will. Paul tells us, “In him [Christ] we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will.” Eph. 1:11.

His will

Romans 12:1-2 God wants all that we do to be “spiritual worship.” Verse 1: “Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” Gods will is to use your minds, hearts and bodies to worship Him. That’s the way he will lead us. Our minds are to transformed to think his way.  Verse 2  “Be transformed by the renewal of your mind.”  This will effect the way we follow the Good shepherd and how we live.

 

 

The church is not made up of perfect people. You will often hear unbeliver’s say “I’m not going there they are a bunch of hypocrites.” Christians are ordinary people like you and I, they make mistakes, they fail, they sin, they need healing and forgiveness. They go cold and slip away from their first love. But they know they need to get back to the Lord, they need to get their lives right, they need restored. When a local church fails God or the Church worldwide strays from God, then they need restored, renewed, revived. The Renewal movements in church history verify the need of revival and renewal. The Reformation was such a restoration to Biblical faith and objected to the doctrines and non-Biblical concepts that crept in to cause spiritual darkness. There were pre and post Reformation restorations or revivals. It is the process of restoration of spiritual strength and vigour that comes after the new birth. It involves getting back to the centrality of Scripture, prayer, a personal move of the Holy Spirit that awakens the soul, a desire to meet with Gods people. Often joy is overwhelming and many times new hymns or spiritual songs are written.  Sometimes the believers mind needs “renewed in the spirit of the mind” (Eph. 4:23 that is the mental faculties that have been affected by sin or neglect of following God and his Word, they are renewed, reinvigorated which affects the conduct for good. Paul says the new man is in constant need of renewal, “and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. (Col.3:10).

God’s people clearly disobey him at times. Great men and women in the Bible failed at one time or other, Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Joshua, David. They knew they sinned but they also knew they need to get right with God and receive his healing and forgiveness, because they had damaged their soul. Christians are not perfect we don’t live in an ivory tower nor should we want to continue in sin but sometimes we fail. We are not  obsessed with sin, our focus is  with the Saviour. The Christian tries to be real and authentic and will deal with sin. He finds it difficult to walk in sin, he comes under the conviction of the Holy Spirit.  Psalm 130 verse 3, “If Thou Lord shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?”

Jacob refused submission to God at home and submitted to his uncle Laban in Haran, in a far country. His uncle deceived him and he had to work hard seven years and the night of the wedding Laban brought in his veiled daughter but it wasn’t Rachael it was her sister.  Just as Jacob had deceived his father it was now a case you reap what you sow. He kept getting into difficulties until he came back to Bethel, the fold. The children of Israel “provoked the Lord to wrath” because they longed for, “the fish…  the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks and garlic, the onions” of Egypt. His anger rose against them and the wandered in the wilderness for almost 40 years, because of their moaning, complaining and waywardness, the wandered away like lost sheep. He discipline’s an individual or eve a group or a church, “I have heard Ephriam grieving, You have disciplined me, and I was disciplined like an untrained calf; bring me back that I may be restored”, He had wandered away.  God disciplines because he acts as a Father who loves us. He disciplines us for our good. God does not punish us for our sins in a legal sense, He done that at Calvary. The chastisements he brings upon His people are to be understood as loving corrections of a loving and tender hearted father. “He restoreth my soul”  there are two Hebrew words in the text.  The word for soul, nephesh the soul, and the word for restore, shuwb breath or wind and describe the spirit.  The two words describe our life.  That living personality, you and me.

When Do You Need Restored?

“He restoreth my soul” It is the individual person that first need revived. There are two Hebrew words in the text.  The word for soul, nephesh the soul, and the word for restore, shuwb breath or wind and describe the spirit.  The two words describe our life.  That living personality, you and me.

You need restored when you backslide.  When you loose your first love. You follow your own ways. The one who stops walking with the Lord feels the absence most keenly. You tend to follow a far way off and that leaves the sheep in greater danger  than those who stay close to the shepherd. You loose your joy, you do not want to talk about Jesus. You can fall into a snare or be attacked by enemies.

Your need restored when you “…conform to the pattern of this world” then you need to be “transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Rom. 12:2).  That is when you model your thinking upon the culture of the world around you.  You slip into the worlds thinking, ideas, philosophies. Your mind needs renewed, not by thinking about religious thing or Christian subjects but by thinking the way God thinks.

Your need restored when you when you turn to secular thinking or humanism and its philosophies for your answer. When you chase success and position rather than pursuing the things of the Spirit. .

You need restored when your hope goes and your conscience accuses you. You need revived.

You need restored when your when you become cold and start complaining and you stop meeting with the Lords people, you start complaining about the Church, about others, you become restless and unhappy, dissatisfied and discontented. You find fault with everybody.

You need restored when your when you live for materialism. You become a material girl or man. You live for things. You want all that this world can give. You stop seeking first the kingdom of heaven.

Your need restored when you when something or someone else takes the place of the Lord. Your need restored when you when things like material possessions, people, hobbies, job, education or anything that take you away from the Good Shepherd, you need restored.

When you neglect the Word of God and prayer. You begin to think the way the world thinks, you take on their philosophies. You stop thinking like God. You frequent places you shouldn’t and live like the unsaved. The soul becomes weak, confused and agitated.

Your need restored when you when pleasures, sport, music, movies, TV,  and entertainment come before God and the assembling together with the Church.

He Restores My Soul

He – refers to the Lord God almighty who restore the soul.

Restores

Everyone knows the meaning of restoration. Sometime marriages need restored, relationships with other people need restored. You can restore an old dilapidated house, or a car, or a piece of furniture a broken down bike to their former glory. After a serious illness or surgery and the pain subsides and the body healed we are fully restored. It is a wonderful thing.  You were restored to health. When the soul is not functioning right, when we are sick in the soul, God restores the souls of His people.  He restored the soul to spiritual life when you get right with Him. But because we are not yet perfect and we fail and sin it affects the soul in a negative way Only God knows what our souls need for restoration.

The verb “restores” (used about 1,060 times in the Old Testament) can mean “converting,” Psalm 19:7 “law of Jehovah”, “reviving” or “transforming. The soul (life) is “refreshed” by God. It is a movement back to the point of departure to its former condition. In Hosea 14:4, the Lord promises: “I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for my anger is turned away from him”, it implies a healing. The soul is damaged, the emotions, the mental well-being, the state of mind.   It can bring frustration, sadness, regret, mental unrest, worry, guilt, fear. There is worry, guilt, regret, sadness, unrest, frustration, and fear, sin has many children. The soul is damaged by sin, the mind and the emotions are damaged and need healing, or restored.  God can restore us, renew us, make us whole again, he is the Good Shepherd (cf. John 10:11, 14).  He can give back “the years the canker worm has eaten.”

Soul

In the Hebrew Bible the term “soul” is nephesh (756 times). The word can refer to “life” (Genesis 1:30), or simply the “person” (Deuteronomy 10:22).  It’s the immaterial part of a human that is more precious than gold or silver or the whole world Jesus said. Human beings have a sprit but it is dead towards God. When a person is regenerated, or born again, they become spiritually alive towards God. They can now fellowship with Him, commune with Him, understand His word, enjoy Him and sin forgiven. When they sin they are temporarily out of fellowship with God. That’s when they need restored or refreshed or revived.  Materialists, atheists, deny man has a soul.  “Jehovah’s Witnesses.” Say it is an illustration.

The body is made of “dust” (Genesis 2:7); the soul resides inside the body and is very precious (Matthew 10:28) man is made in the image of God himself (Genesis 1:26-27).

King David’s Responses to His Sin and His Restoration Ps 51

David’s Responses to His Sin

Psalm 51 and 32 David strayed from the path. He sinned with Bathsheba he had deep inner guilt. He became depressed, in mental turmoil, physically ill. and could not live with himself and went away from the Lord. He could not go on in his life until he confessed it. He became depressed, in mental turmoil, physically ill. Then he could ask for the joy to be restored to his soul. He cried in another place, “Why art thy cast down within me O my soul? Awake ye and praise the Lord”. The soul, the psyche the real person was affected by sin, it also had a psychosomatic effect upon his body, he became ill. The Christian today confesses his sin, “If we confess our sin He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin” 1 John 1:9. Christians deal with sin.

• He Turns to God
• He Prays for Cleansing
• He Confesses the Seriousness of His Sin 3-5,
• He Pleads for Renewal 6-12

There are times when a believer will be disciplined. David “slid” backwards on occasions, and when he did, his soul was plunged into distress (cf. Psalm 32; 51). He needed restored, or “converted,” “revived” or “transformed” or “healed.” Unconfessed sin is a terrible burden to bear and God loves His children too much to allow unconfessed sin in their lives. The hand that disciplines is the same hand that forgives and protects. Confess it now and thank God for His forgiveness and protecting hand of grace.

King David’s life was multiplied with trouble after he sinned with Bathsheba. He faced many dark and difficult times in his life. Many of his problems came from his enemies but some came from himself. The Psalms can be a source of encouragement when we are depressed, discouraged, tired, weary, whatever the dark time may be. The men and women of Bible times give us many examples of restoration.

Sin, trials, pressures, discouragement and tribulation can have a detrimental effect on the soul. David sinned and lost the joy,  “restore unto me the joy of my salvation,” the word restore is that of Psalm 23:3, “He restores my soul.” How can God restore your soul?

When you sin you lose your peace of mind and have a guilty conscience this can have a psychosomatic effect and cause physical suffering. So it affects our physical health. The body “soma” (bodily) is affected by the soul.

Sin can cause some illnesses. There are numerous reasons for illness, birth defects, diseases and physical defects that are not from personal sin. The blind man who Jesus had not sinned nor his parents, Timothy had not sinned, Job had not sinned. We must be careful of passing judgment. Davids physical and mental condition were clearly an effect of his personal sin.

1. He Turns to God

Vs 1-2 The first thing David stared with was God, who He was, how He revealed Himself, His revelation of man, the world and sin. He cried for mercy based upon God’s loving kindness and tender mercies and ability to forgive. He starts thinking right. He knew he needed to be washed and cleansed because sin it was destroying his soul and his relationship with God and it will destroy yours. It will affect the child of God spiritually and will make him feel dirty and unclean. Sin deserves judgment asks for mercy and needs cleansing.

2. He Prays for Cleansing

“Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.” Wash me. The child of God is like a sheep they may fall into mud puddle but will get out as soon as possible. A child of the devil loves the mud and he will roll about in it and wants to stay there. David took responsibility for his own actions. He did not blame Bathsheba, he did not blame his upbringing, he did not blame his environment, he did not blame Satan. He took another man’s wife and made her pregnant and sent the husband to the front of the battle to be killed. It was a heinous sin.  He was a hypocrite and had the audacity to give the man a military funeral and then marry his pregnant wife. His sin dogged him, he was obsessed with it and had no peace and lost his joy, it would affect him the rest of his life. He can’t get it out of his mind. He can’t get it out of the thoughts that run through his head night and day. His mental, psychological and physical state was in a mess. Sin has made him dirty, and he asks to be clean. Guilt has made him physically sick, and he asks to be healed.

3. He can’t get his sin out of his mind and confesses it.

Vs 3 Psychosomatic effects. It Affects Us Mentally.

It troubles you mentally and you cannot get it out of your mind. It affects your thinking process, causes mental problems, put you on edge, you loose your peace and thought life. Before you were a Christian you could sin all day and it did not affect you.  For the a child of God says, “My sin is ever before me”.  To let it continue un-confessed will bring turmoil and misery, few people want to be around you. I’ve done it against You, the only God. I have sinned.

It Affects Our Conscience v4

Vs 4 “Against you you only have I sinned.” David is conscience stricken. He realized that his sin was against God, then his wife, Bathsheba, Uriah, himself, his kingdom. His relationship with God was broken His sin has created a barrier between he and God.  God saw his sin, “in thy sight.”

Vs. 5 He knows he was born a sinner.

Vs. 6. “Behold, Thou desirest truth in the inward parts. And in the hidden.” God is interested with what goes on in our hearts. Scripture says, “The heart of man is deceitful and above  all things desperately wicked.”

4. He Pleads for Renewal

Gods Power to Cleanse

Vs 7 “Wash me with hyssop and I shall be clean, wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.

Sin Affects Us Physically v8

verse 8. “Make me hear joy and gladness, that the bones which Thou hast broken may rejoice.” Shepherds used to break the legs of wayward sheep to teach them not to wander then he would set it, and then he’d have to carry that little sheep, and it would learn to trust him. When the leg healed he’d set the little sheep on the ground and it followed the shepherd everywhere.

David was an unhappy man. He couldn’t lose his salvation but he could and did lose the joy of his salvation. Christians today who have no joy in their lives have hearts that have been saddened by sin. Sin and lack of joy are inseparable just as purity and joy are inseparable.

God’s hand was so heavily upon David that he felt crushed, it affected his body. Many people suffer physically because of sin. Psychosomatic illness – means that the mind can make the body sick. (1 Cor 11:30) “For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.”. The cause was SIN!

Sin will cause us to suffer it will dry your spirit up, Proverbs 17:22, “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine but a broken spirit drieth the bones”

Vs 9 Sin blots out the face of God. You set up a barrier between you and Him.

Sin Affects Our Hearts vs 10

verse 10. “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” His desire is a new start. I want a new attitude, new heart.”  It affects the mind, the thinking. When you sin you loose your peace of mind and have a guilty conscience this can have a psychosomatic effect and cause physical suffering. So it effects our physical health. The body “soma” (bodily) is affected by the soul.

God knows our lives, he knows everything about us, so he knows when we need restoration.

God’s Word can restore our soul and giving us hope in times of distress.  We read of forgiveness there, of comfort and renewal. It is only the soul of the Christian that can be restored to its former relationship with God.

God restores even when there seems no way out of your situation or the mess you have gotten into.

The word hints of the damage that sin can do to the soul, or as we might express it, to the “psyche,” the emotions, one’s mental state of well-being. In this regard we cannot but think of such mental turbulence as worry, guilt, regret, sadness, unrest, frustration, and fear.

When you sin you lose your peace of mind and have a guilty conscience this can have a psychosomatic effect and cause physical suffering. So it affects our physical health. The body “soma” (bodily) is affected by the soul.

Sin can cause some illnesses. Jesus healed a crippled man and implied that his condition had been a result of sin in his life. “Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, Behold, you are made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.” John 5:14 Again, in 1Cor 11:30 speaking of people taking communion unworthily, not taking the time to examine ourselves and truly repent of our sins first … “For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.” (sleep = die).

There are numerous reasons for illness, birth defects, diseases and physical defects that are not from personal sin. The blind man who Jesus had not sinned nor his parents, Timothy had not sinned, Job had not sinned. We must be careful of passing judgment.

The Joy Restored.

“Verse 12: “Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.”  “What happiness for those whose guilt has been forgiven! What joys when sins are covered over! What relief for those who have confessed their sins and God has cleared their record. Ps. 32:1.

When we do what David done then we thank God again for the Cross, for the wonders of heaven and for the Gospel. In the midst of a world of suffering and pain we can have an inner joy. All around us people have heartache. There is much illness and death. Christians need inner joy in the midst of such sorrow. In the midst of the pain we can know the joy of God and have the assurance that He is in control. We know that Jesus is coming for his own and we will receive a new body and live with him forever, pain free. We have a balanced mind and are thoughtful to the suffering, and grieve but not without hope. We thank God for a bright future. For the Cross, for the wonders of heaven and for the Gospel. The blessing of God’s joy (32:10-11). He prays for the joy of God’s salvation and for a spirit that is joyfully willing to follow God’s word and be kind with people. It is like heaven again.

Vs 13. “…then will I teach transgressors Your ways; and sinners shall be converted to You.” He begins to witness again.  Most Christians don’t witness because of sin in their lives.

14. “Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, God of my salvation; and my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness.”

Vs 15 “O Lord, open my lips; and my mouth shall show forth Your praise.

Then you have the joy back and can speak of His salvation. The Lord renews and refreshes you. He fellowships with you. Your relationship is restored. You remember your first love.  You witness again.

16. “O Lord, open my lips; and my mouth shall show forth Your praise. For You do not desire sacrifice, else would I give it; You do not delight in burnt-offering.”

He Makes Me Lie Down in Green Pastures Psalm 23

The shepherd leads his sheep out from the fold and maybe before too long he has them lay down in green pastures. The may be impatient, eager to move on, want to be active, they may not even want to rest.  But the shepherd knows what is ahead, what kind of terrain it is.  There may be no water ahead, there may be dangers that only he knows about, maybe a ravine or a narrow mountain track were they could slip if they are too tired or it may be too late in the day and they may slip and fall.  The climb ahead may too tough for them at the moment, or there may be a place ahead were robbers are or caves with wild animals, predators,  hiding in them, ready to pounce on them and devour them. If the listen to him and rest they will be reinvigorated for the journey ahead. The shepherd is wise, kind and thoughtful, interested in their welfare. The grass may look greener on the other side, you may want to change church, go to a different place only to find it was better were you were. He is a good shepherd and interested in the sheep of his pasture. He has your safety, your comfort our care in mind. He can see much further than ahead than you, you may not know what is happening but He knows the end from the beginning, He is Alpha and Omega. He plans the way ahead for us, knows the steps we should take. He wants to bring us to green pastures, the place of rest and security.

When a hurricane or storm comes it can alarm us. Particularly if the electricity, water or gas is cut off. We are left in the dark and outside the trees are snapping in half or uprooted like matchsticks, roofs are blown off, the windows and doors of our house creek, cars blown of the road, homes flooded, it can be devastating. things are cast miles away, we looe things even loved ones.

Some people’s lives are like this in the midst of a storm or discouraging circumstances the loss is great. The storm rages all around them. They can hear the sounds of the crashes, see the devastation and wonder will their spiritual house fall down? Or how much damage they will sustain. Life is horrible for them. They wonder will they ever recover?  Peter says the Lord continually protects you 1 Pet. 1:5.

The Good Shepherd knows and cares for his flock?  Did he not suffer? Did he not face the storm? Did he not cry out to the Father? Did He not trust the Father in obedience and faith Did He not win over the circumstances?   He knows how to suffer and how to cast or throw his care upon God. He is our example follow the Shepherd.

Today our world is so busy, we are living in an age of rush and turmoil. Life is hectic and we are much too busy to rest. The demands of daily life are severe. Many of us are exhausted mentally stressed and physically ill. We run here and there, children to school, then on to work, then collect the children from school, then home, after dinner we rush them off to church organisations, to a club, to practice, a telephone call from a family member or person seeking help, it is endless. On the other hand some of us think we are indispensable and the work will fall apart without us, wrong! Sometimes it is just as hard to hold some folk back as it is to persuade others to go forward.  Sometimes young people want to move or change things too quick only later to find out older people had a good point. Sometimes we want to run ahead without good sound advice.  We need to come aside and rest a while in his green pastures. We need to take time out to be with the Lord. He wants us to rest physically, spiritually mentally and emotionally. Come ye apart before you come apart. Isaiah said, “In quietness shall be thy strength.”  He also says “Be still and know that I am God.”

The Real Restoration Movement

First, “He maketh” that is by gentle persuasion. He gently persuades you or else he will have to touch you in “the hollow of your thigh”, so to speak, to hinder you from running headstrong in your own way.

Second, they are green pastures not barren places.  He brings us to places of rest and quietness. He wants to have communion with him and listen to him and enjoy his presence.

Third.  “He makes me lie down in green pastures.” “Wait on the Lord be of good courage and He shall strengthen thine heart; wait, I say on the Lord.” Ps. 27:14.  Submit to him. You need lie down and rest.  This world is full of pressure, of troubles, of people who want to use you and abuse you who are wolves and other wild animals trying to influence you and feed on you even kill you spiritually. Society is rushing headlong to destruction. God knows best.  “He makes me liedown…” when I need to.  God has my best interest in mind. When we lie down the Shepherd gives us security and protection. We must not stray away from the shepherd, he keeps an eye on us. If we do wander off we may get into danger, or trouble and get hurt, or lost and he will have to leave the ninety nine and seek the one that was lost.

Fourth. Resting give you strength. “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint” Isa. 40

Fifth , it is here “he restoreth my soul.”  It can mean converting the soul, “The law of the Lord is perfect converting the soul” the faint hearts and tired bodies, restoring the one who has gotten too far from him, David prayed the Lord would “restore unto him the joy of my salvation.” Ps 51:12, it can mean restoring from disorder and decay Ps. 80:19, restoring from sorrow and affliction Ruth 4:15, and restoration from death as Elijah restored the life of the child  1 Kings 17:21-22.

Sixth. Green pastures. Sheep need to graze. God provided a pasture with rich grass for the sheep to eat, and grow strong. God made David lie down in the green pasture, in the rich pasture he rested and revived. God gave David the best possible place to rest that there was.

God cares about each of us and wants us to rest. He wants us to stop rushing around, stop panicking, and enjoy communion and fellowship with him. He wants to come in and fellowship with us, we need to open the door. Who is pushing you? What is driving you? Let him lead you. We need to take time out and rest in the Lord. God really want us to rest.

“He (the Lord) makes me to lie down in green pastures,” the “green pastures” are the spiritual places we live and move if “the Lord is our Shepherd.” When Jesus is our Shepherd, he provides for us physically and spiritually. He searches out green pastures in the barren hills and valleys and dry terrain.

“He makes me to lie down in green pastures,” He wants us to rest “He makes me to LIE DOWN……” He wants to lie down so that He can feed us in a place of peace and rest. Because the predators wish to attack us and we are defenceless and at their mercy the Shepherd protects us and we can lay down in confidence.

The sheep are nervous and aware there are dangers but they are not thinking about the enemy all the time. So it is with the Christian who is in a spiritual battle daily. He watches and is careful, but does not worry, he casts all his care on the Lord. The enemy is always looking for a chink in the armour, a time and place to attack us. Satan’s attack, theologically with false doctrine, church problems, physically, mentally with worry and fears, accusations, condemnation, emotionally with guilt. However we have a Shepherd who can deal with all of these and he can keep us in peace, safety and security. He is the awesome Warrior, the King of the Ages, the Lord God Almighty.  We must have faith in his promises: “I will never leave you or forsake you.”  “When you go through the waters I will be with you…”  “When thou lie down, thou shall not be afraid: yea, thou shall lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.” (Prov. 3:24). “I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makes me dwell in safety. (Psalm 4:8). “And Sharon shall be a fold of flocks, and the valley of Achor a place for the herds to lie down in, for my people that have sought me.” (Isaiah 65:10). “For thus says the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out.”

The shepherd lives with the sheep every day. He watches over us, supplies our daily needs, comes after the one that was lost, seeks out the one who fell down a ditch.  If they are scattered he will go after them and bring them together again. He will feed them on the best. He binds them up when they are wounded. (Ezek. 34:11-16)

       The Good Shepherd of Isaiah 40

       Isaiah 40:1-2 –The Good Shepherd is the Great Comforter, “Comfort!” Isaiah opens with a cry of “Comfort, comfort my people.” This is a deeply emotional word meaning ‘console,’ concern and pity. He has been talking from chapters 1-35, about Israel’s spiritual decline, the disobedient sheep, and the consequences.  God as a Shepherd of Israel, Judah, and Jerusalem still loves them deeply. The people went into exile and captivity because of their spiritual adultery. But God heard their cry out in exile and was gracious to them as here in Isaiah 40:1-2 (Ezra 9:6-8; Neh. 1:5-10; 9; Daniel 9). Here Isaiah is speaking to the remnant, those who survived the awful ordeal of captivity. He wants to comfort and console them, to announce to them their forgiveness. Comfort is repeated twice (40:1) to balance the double punishment for sin. God is the one who shows mercy (40:2).

Sin can shake us up and destroy our lives and relationship with God. We need to hear the comforting words of the Good Shepherd “comfort, comfort, ye my people.” When you lie down in the comfort of the green pastures, when life is difficult, when things go wrong, when the road is too rough we need Christ our shepherd to bring comfort. He wants to forgive us, to protect us, to provide for us. We are to comfort others (2 Corinthians 1:3-5).

      40:3-5 – The Good Shepherd Provides a Highway in the Desert. The Lord can make a way in the wilderness that we may be going through (40:3). It is here we return to His leadership as Israel in the wilderness. He will come to our rescue, He will  smooth road for us (40:4, 35:8-10). His presence brings God’s glory (40:5).

Life can bring many trials, dangers, snares, heartaches, and difficulties. They are like deserts in our lives. We can end up in the desolate place of the desert. When we get our lives right with Him He provides a smooth road out. It is the Messiah’s Highway of Holiness Himself (35:8).

Sometimes the Lord places you in the desert to test your faith and give you strength to go on. He is bringing you to something better. He wants you to glorify him in it. “Through it all, through it all, I have learned to trust in Jesus , learned to trust his word.” He is testing you like preious gold heated up seven times to get the dross off. You will be a better person after the testing. When the desert times come get lose to the shepherd. Fix your eyes on him. Ask him what he wants you to learn.

     40:6-9 – The Shepherd and the Word. God’s word is sure the “Word of our God stands” as utterly reliable (40:8; 25:1). It has eternal value. We can be sure the gospel when believed will bring salvation (40:9). The people of God were they custodians of the message(Genesis 28:14; John 4:22), when the Messiah finished the work on the Cross (“It is finished”), He commissioned His Church to deliver the message to the whole world (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15).

      There are battles to be fought against those who corrupt or deny the Bible those who say it has errors in it. If we cannot trust the Word of God, then we cannot trust its message of salvation through Christ. It is fully inspired, and inerrant no error in it.

     40:10-11 – The Shepherd is the Sovereign Lord. Sovereign Lord is ‘adonay YHWH,’ Master or Lord is used only of God, and it emphasizes his greatness, ultimate power, and rule (a strong, muscular man (Exodus 6:6; Psalm 79:11). YHWH is the personal name of God, it links his Power and Love, transcendence and intimacy. What a mighty God we serve, angels adore him, bow down before him, what a mighty God we serve.” His glory fills the universe. He is the tender and loving shepherd. He pursues us for a close relationship. (Psalm 23; John 10:11).

Our Shepherd is unique, he stands alone. No other can give you the green pastures, the comfort, the peace and contentment He can give. He is almighty and allpowerful, the mountains melt at his powerful Word. The demons flee from him, the heaven’s sake at his command. Trust him to kill the giants before you, to melt that mountain you face, to deal with your enemies.

The Shepherd Creator Gives us Comfort. Isa 40: 12-26

         40:12-17 – He is the great Strongman Shepherd (40:12-17; Job 38-39). He reveals the wonders of His creation.  Consider the universe, its immensity and its complexity. The galaxies, the wonder of creation, the laws of nature, the many species of fish, animals, insects, birds, the variety and colour it is immense! They all speak of him “The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of his hands. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night reveals knowledge” (Psalm 19:1-2). If you look, listen and think you will see his power and wisdom. That’s our Shepherd. God wants to reason with us, to teach us, instruct and guide us. (Proverbs 1:1-7).

     40:15-20 – The Shepherd is Incomparable.” To whom shall ye liken me.” The nations are a drop in a bucket they are small compared to the greatness of God (40:15, 17). There are not enough magnificent cedars of  sufficient to burn an offering the size the Lord deserves (40:16). Twice we are asked, “To whom or to what will you compare Him?” (40:18, 25). We have nothing as awesome to compare him with. Our mind cannot comprehend his greatness, we have no adequate words to describe him. When men make an image of God is futile and ridiculous, he is too awesome, no one knows what he looks like (40:19-20). Idol makers make fragile gods that can fall and break or if made of wood can be burnt but our God is a consuming fire.  Our god weighs out the heavens and He is so huge they only fit in the palm of his hand. (40:21-22). Idolatry, or trust in men and governments, will not save us but the God of creation can. (40:26; Romans 1:20).

     40:21-26 – The Shepherd is the Creator. Isaiah says creation demonstrates God’s greatness. He “made all things, sustains all things, rules all things (v. 21-25). God did create “bara” means “make something out of nothing,” or “to bring it into being, into existence.” (Genesis 1-2), Only God can manufacture the material universe and set natural process in motion, its laws, the complex mathematical calculations, the life on earth and rule it (Col. 1:16-20). He alone shapes the baby in the womb “Ps 139.” Only he creates a soul. Only he sets in motion the galaxies, to give time, and our season, our oxygen, our food. Acts 14 Only he can give eternal life. Only he is sinless and can provide forgiveness for us, through  the sacrifice of his Son on the Cross at Calvary. Only he can raise the dead back to life. (John 10). Only he can create a new heaven and earth. .

      He controls everything. You do not. You don’t know what a day will bring forth. You can’t stop the rain or make the sun to shine. You are too small, just a sheep. You need him to handle everything life throws at you. You are a helpless sheep. Stop wandering, stop relying on yourself for every responsibility and expectation that is before you? When are you going to run to the Lord and cast your cares on him (1 Peter 5:8)?

The Comforting Shepherd Saviour 27-31

      This great shepherd has time for you and me our way is not hid from Him. (40:27).  God is  the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is wearynever weary (40:28).

Vs 29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Trust Him and He will give you  strength to go on in spite of the difficulties. (40:29-31; 2 Corinthians 3:17-18).

     Resting in the Great Shepherd

      As you live in him, He enables you to be strengthened and go on by his power. You have access to divine ultimate power and strength found only in Christ Jesus. Colossians 2:6-7, 9-10.  We rest in the finished work of Christ as Lord and Saviour. He gives us strength for today. Some of the Lords people go through very difficult times, times of testing of their faith. Others may Have little trouble or sickness in life. Others have doubts and find it difficult to trust the Lord. Others lean on our own understanding, instead of in Jesus Himself.  Faith is simply trusting it rests on the object or person outside ourselves. Faith believes what Jesus says. When we rest in him we believe he is in control. To lie down in green pastures is to rest in him. You  “Cast all your care on him because he careth for you.”  You may be tossed about by your emotions, or be going through a storm in life, you may have struggles, but you continue to rest in him and believe he will make it turn out or your good. (Rom. 8:28). He is your shepherd, you belong to him. Life and circumstance may change and fluctuate but “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” (Heb. 13:8). He is the faithful Shepherd. You can rest on him, depend upon him.  He loves you so much he gave his life for you.

“The Lord is my Shepherd I Shall Not Want, He leadeth me” Psalm 23

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“The Lord is my shepherd.” Our heavenly Father loves and cares for us. David wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit; about gods care for us. He reflects his own personal experiences and assurance of Jehovah’s care for his people.

“I shall not want.” Jesus has plenty, he is the source and supply. Every good and every perfect gift cometh from above. God promised to supply the Jews needs as they stayed in obedience to him. He was faithful to his promise. He promised to supply every need according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus” I shall not want because the lord supplies every provision. He will not supply our greed, he will not supply if we neglet him or his word. He is no respecter of persons and will supply for each of his sheep. The sheep were first to do as Jesus said, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness,” and concerning material necessities he added that his Heavenly Father knew we have need of these. (Matt. 6:33).  The material needs of the Christian were in a position of secondary importance.  The prodigal son found himself in want because he went away from the father. It was not the fathers fault. He wandered from the fold and the fathers care. He got further and further away from the father but the father still loved him and went out every to see if he was returning. The rich young man found himself in want of salvation. He could have entered the fold and been saved, but would not.  Sometimes we do not get our needs met because of unbelief, disobedience because we lack in some way. God will give the same patient and attentive care of his followers as the shepherd of his flock and because of this the shepherd provided for all “wants.” is the present tense; as in a habitual experience. David is saying my LORD will supply all my needs in life. It says about the prodigal, “And when he began to be in want.” He wasn’t aware he was in so great need until this moment. He was disobedient and selfish and wandered away fro his fathers fold and care. He wanted to do his own thing and got further and further away from God and the fold. The Father love had not changed, he went out every day to see if he could see his son coming home. He loved him and longed for him to come home so that he could bless him. But the son lay there in with the pig  in a far country in want. If you are that way say, “I will arise and go to my Father.”

THE Apostle Paul wrote: “My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:19). David knew he would not be in want or lacking that which is needful. He was confident in Jehovah, Paul was also confident that God, our Heavenly Father, would supply all our needs, “by Christ Jesus.” They both see Jehovah as the Great Shepherd, and Jesus is the Good Shepherd. Paul knew the Father, would supply by, or through, the Son.—1 Cor. 8:6. “And God [is] able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all [things], may abound to every good work:” 9 Cor. 9:8. It is all of grace it is trusting God to supply all your need.

“I shall not want.” Provision for now and eternity.

Great men have influenced history and lead us into all sorts of places, through science, knowledge, philosophy, politic knowledge. Men like Einstein,  Copernicus, Hitler, Churchill with their theories and we find ourselves not in places of “still waters and rest and refreshment“ but in a world of greed, of wars, of tears, of unhappiness, of fear, of unrest of endless searching for the utopia they look for.

Our Good shepherd is leading us to “an inheritance, incorruptible, and undefiled that fadeth not away, reserved for us” 1 Pet. 1:4.

I am rich beyond description, God made me his beneficiary. He leads me to divine benefits, our future inheritance is “incorruptible and undefiled.”

Peter is encouraging the suffering saints, giving them hope.

Our Shepherd is leading us , we have not yet arrived.

He provides for us in time, he gives us joy amidst the sorrow, hope when things look grim, laughter amidst the tears, forgiveness instead of judgement, eternal life now, sonship, favour, a plan for our lives, food , clothing, shelter.

Our shepherd blesses us now with gifts, pleasures, the armour of God, abilities to serve him.

Our shepherd leads us into the future To a place beyond description where there “pleasure forever more.”  “Eye hath not seen nor ear heard the thing that God has prepared for them who love him.” To a place beyond description provide. We run out of thoughts and ides. He leads us to limitless infinite joy.

Our shepherd bestows upon us riches in the future, he owns everything and we share it with him, “we are co-hers with Christ.”

Our shepherd has future plans for you to rule with him.

The good Shepherd says, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust corrupt, and thieves break in and steal.”

We have a bright future beyond the grave.

Led by the wrong things

Some of the Lords people are led by feelings, emotions, providences, circumstances, dreams or visions.   These are not the leading of the Spirit.  He will always lead us into truth and lead us to glorify Christ.

Led by The Love of Money

“I shall not want”. God will supply all your need.  The following is a quote from Rev. Johnston Hamilton Road Bangor “Godliness with contentment is great gain.  1  Timothy 6 Paul warning for those who want to be rich and says this is the mark of true godliness. He says in vs 9-10 that those want to be rich vs 9 and those who are eager for by the love of money vs 10 are in great peril it will lead to because the love of money will lead to temptation, it leads to harmful desire, destruction, abandonment from them the faith and ultimately estrangement from God. The love of money springs from our sinful heart. 6:10 “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.  The love of money  leas us instead of God. We love things and are lead by things not from the good shepherd. We become discontented with his leading. It is a problem of the heart.

Sinful affections for money are strengthened by false teachers and shepherds leading us away from God, “If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmising’s, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.” 6:3-5. They were in it for the money. It’s not just the Tele evangelists there is a glut of Christian novelties and trinkets, Jesus jewellery, wristbands, T shirts, prayer and praise pots, Jesus bible belt buckles, bumper stickers, Christians soap, Christian dolls, a small toy called a scapegoat that Christians who are annoyed or angry can take  can take out their pent up frustrations. But its Christian merchandise, its about making money. To make money central. People in the world think Christianity is all about money.

Sinful affections lead to ruin and destruction. People who are eager for money temptation  vs 9-10. Notice the progression first there is the desire, then there is the temptation to get rich by some improper means, ten it leads to ruin and destruction. Notice its not the people who are rich but people whom have a love affair with money makes them want to be richer than what they already are. The wander away from the faith and impaled themselves on a thorn. Ananias and Saphira whose love of money lead them into the sin of hypocrisy. Or Demas who fell in love with this present world, or Judas a follower of Jesus who sold the Lord for thirty pieces of silver and was he not pierced with bitter grief and took his own life. It cannot only lead you to mess up your marriage or business. Paul says flee covetousness.    When you are driven to run after more money, a bigger house a bigger car, to get rich quick, by investing for quick returns.

Let the good Shepherd lead you. Keep eternity in view. “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” 6:6. “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” Vs 7. Two real truths we bring nothing in to this life and we take nothing out. Job the richest man on earth said, we come in with nothing and we leave with nothing. Food, clothing shelter should make us content. Our good Shepherd will satisfy all our needs keep your eyes on him. Phillipians 4:9-13 “ Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest,  whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.  Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

The God the good shepherd who richly provides will keep you from sinful affections for money stay with humble hope in God. Those who are rich must hope in God.  “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. Vs 17-19. Money produces power and pride, do you not find pride when you have saved something, it gives poer and pride. Paul says don’t let it happen.  Share your wealth with others, Use it to lay up treasures for heaven , Jesus said use your money for Gods glory. Only this will be rewarded in eternity.” End quote. We live in a very rich society let us thank God for what we have.  We are still among the richest people in the world. People are living on rubbish dumps, in card board homes, some live on the streets on Delhi. Millions have not enough food. We are rich in this present world. We have the best health care, food, homes, affluence, shopping malls. But the more money we have the less we trust in God. Use what God has given you wisely. Be content with the simple necessities of life. Trust God to provide. Bless others generously.

“He leadeth me”. 

Each day the shepherd would stand at the sheep fold if his sheep were there He would call them and they would come the sheep belonging to the other shepherd would not respond. They would gather round his feet and he would lead them out. They know the shepherds voice “and a stranger they will not follow: but will flee from him, for they know not the voice of a stranger” (John 10:4-5). “He goes before them.. He gently leads those that are with young.” They follow him. He will not force you or drive you but encourage you to willingly follow him.

Our Leader

“HE leadeth me.”  He leads him through the fields and meadows to feed, through the dangerous places to get to better pasture land, to trees or large rocks to shelter from the noonday sun. “The Lord is my rock” my fortress, my place of protection. He leads me back into the fold when it gets dark and lies at the door and protects me. He will encourage us when we straggle or get behind or lift us if we fall into a ditch or get caught up in a thorn bush of sin. He is our Divine leader and protector. Our Heavenly Father assures us he will lead and protect us. He watches over us. He is the Great Shepherd caring for his sheep.

He supply’s our food and clothing, the material things, when in trouble when things are well. (Phil. 4:12). He leads me to Still Waters – The paths of peace. He give me a peace that the world cannot know.

 

The ones he leads. “he leadeth ME”.  It is personal. He is interested in me and were I am going in life. That’s why I pray and ask him to show me his will. He leads me because I am willing to follow. I keep my eyes on him.

Where he leads me. “in the paths of righteousness.”  It is plural. He will make a way when there is no other way. He will lead me in the right paths. Sometimes we follow the advice of people and it can be wrong but he is always right.

“He leads me.”

Sometimes he leads me to still waters, sometimes he leads me through the valley of the shadows of death. Sometimes he lead me to give sometimes he leads me to receive.  I wish to illustrate this with a true story of a pastor friend and myself. I was invited to speak at my wonderful friends Pastor Neville Gritt at the Tabernacle Sarasota Florida.  I was staying with a beautiful couples home and when it came time for me to leave they wanted to run me to the airport. However Neville wanted to run me to the airport which was north of Orlando, miles away. He said “Come to the church office at 10 in the morning and we would go up and have lunch on the way. I arrived at 10 but Neville was held back as a couple had come for marriage counsel. Neville said “I won’t be long Robert” I waited almost two hours. He apologized and we got in the car and began to make our way up the highway towards Tampa.  We got caught in a tailback that was 15 miles long south of Tampa. I could see Neville grip the steering wheel tighter and his leg began to get more rapid as he fidgeted.  He decided we should take a detour and of to the west of Tampa and makes our way up on other roads. After an hour of passing villages he had never seen before, Indian communities, black communities, we were lost. I suggested we stop and get something to eat and buy a map. It was now 1.15 pm I had to be in the airport at 12 noon as it was an international flight. We bought food and a map and found we were too far west and we began correcting our journey. I got to the plane which was to leave at 3.00 pm, but all the gates at the airport were shut, it was 3.15. We implored a lady security officer to let us in or get in touch with the Pilate. The large plane was late but ready to roll on to the tarmac.  The Pilate was descent enough to let me on. Phew! I got to my destination. If we had not bought that map I would have missed my flight. God has provided a map for us, His Word that will show us were we are in life and were we can move to. The Holy Spirit is our guide who will lead us and guide us if we consult him Oh, by the way, Neville and I have been in some funny and weird situations in USA, Mexico, Belfast, Donegal, etc.

He may lead you to green pastures, or to a place of peace and security, He may lead you through rough terrain to along a mountain side.  Some times he will lead you to a place of rest. You may say I don’t want to rest, I am too busy, I have too much to do. However He can see further ahead, he may see a mountain path and know you wont make it unless you rest, He can see further ahead than the sheep, he knows what is ahead of you. Keep yur eyesm on the Shepherd He know what is ahead of you, listen to his voice.

The Leading of the Spirit

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.”-ROM. viii. 14.

The “leading of the Holy Spirit.” ” Luke’s account of our Lord’s temptation that He was “led by the Spirit in the wilderness during forty days, being tempted of the devil,” where our own term is used Our Lord said, “when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He shall guide you into all the truth.” he wanted to leave words of comfort to His disciples” It would be “guidance into truth” by the Holy Spirit is something very different from the “leading of the Spirit” The only other passage which speaks of the “leading of the Spirit” is in Gal. v. i8, Paul says, “But if ye are led by the Spirit, ye are not under the law.” The Spirits leading is not some mystical experience, not a feeling, not a hit and miss thing. Some people have made a mess of other peoples lives by telling them the Spirit led them to say a thing or do a thing.

“As many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” The leading of the Spirit of God is for every child of God not just some special people. They are different from those who are no Christians. They live their lives according to the Spirit of God, for they are the sons of God and are led by the Spirit of God. “But if any one hath not the Spirit of Christ, that one is not His.”  It is for the common needs of Gods people who can cry, Abba, Father.

The Spirit is our shepherd who leads us through difficulties, dangers, trials or sufferings of this life, He also feeds aus and leads us into all truth but specifically to enable us to conquer sin.

The presence of the Spirit within us breaks us from the bondage of sin and by him we are emancipated from sin and are no longer debtors to live according to the flesh.

He leads us into a deeper walk with God. He enable s us to fight the good fight of faith. He helps us daily. The “leading of the Holy Spirit” makes us better Christians, he sanctifies us. He conforms us into the image of His Son.

The leading of the Holy Spirit is for spiritual and eternal good. He helps to work all things out for good for those who love God. He makes all our troubles, pressures, circumstances work out for good. He leads us through the trials, the sufferings, the depressing times, the losses, the despair and guides through them. He has eternity in view. He even takes our weakness, our failure, our weaknesses and makes it work together for good. He leads us in the paths of righteousness, holiness and truth.

He guides us in our daily lives. We are not left to drift aimlessly through life He directs our paths. We are not left to wander, in this world the Spirit s leading us in the right paths. We must not go our own way or be lead by feelings or emotions or men. We are sons of God and are “led by the Spirit of God.” He will not lead us into sin, or places we should not be or do things we should not do, or lead us against what scriptures say. He will lead us in truth.

He leads us to renewal, to refreshment of soul. He leads us to overcome. He leads us to Jesus. He is to control our activities.  Spiritual men are led by the Spirit carnal men are led by the flesh.

The one who is led by the Spirit should do and should goes as He directs.  We must obey Him. Those who are led by the Spirit of God are under the control of the Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit leads, governs, controls us, guides us.

The Spirit of God directs our paths. He can see ahead and knows in advance what to do. He knows the pitfalls, the ravines, the rough road ahead. He is aware of the dangers.  He can lead s through. He has the power to defeat any enemy, Satan and death included. He leads the sons of God. He leads them on the right paths and keeps them on the right paths, “Kept by the power of God.”
He continues to influence us to stay on the right paths. He causes us to progress and advance. He gives us great fire of hope and confidence because we know he is in us.

All who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God; and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs With Christ Jesus. This power is the Spirit of the most high God. “If God be for us who can be against us?” Let our hearts repeat this cry of victory to-day.

We live and go forward in hope and triumph in Christ. We are to keep on fighting the fight of faith. The victory is assured. The Holy Spirit within us cannot fail us. The way may be rough; circumstances may be against us, the path may have pitfalls, but the Holy Spirit is leading us. This gives us triumph and strength to go forward. He is the Spirit whose fruit is “ But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” Gal. 5:22-23. This is true health and wealth.