VERSE:
Psalm 23 (King James Version)
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
COMMENTARY:
The Lord is my shepherd. In these words, the believer is taught to express his satisfaction in the care of the great Pastor of the universe, Christ Jesus, the Redeemer and Preserver of men. With joy he reflects that he has a shepherd, and that shepherd is Jehovah. A flock of sheep, gentle and harmless, feeding in verdant pastures, under the care of a skilful, watchful, and tender shepherd, forms an emblem of believers brought back to the Shepherd of their souls. The greatest abundance is but a dry pasture to a wicked man, who relishes in it only what pleases the senses; but to a Godly man, who by faith tastes the goodness of God in all his enjoyments, though he has but little of the world, it is a green pasture. The Lord, Christ Jesus gives quiet and contentment in the mind, whatever the lot is. Are we Blessed with the green pastures of the ordinances, let us not think it enough to pass through them, but let us abide in them. The consolations of the Holy Spirit are the still waters by which the Saints are led; the streams which flow from the Fountain of Living Waters. Those only are led by the still waters of comfort, who walk in the paths of Righteousness. The way of duty is the truly pleasant way. The work of Righteousness in peace. In these paths we cannot walk, unless. God lead us into them, and lead us on in them. Discontent and distrust proceed from unbelief; an unsteady walk is the consequence: let us then simply trust our Shepherd's care, and hearken to His voice. The valley of the shadow of death may denote the most severe and terrible affliction, or dark dispensation of providence, that the psalmist ever could come under. Between the part of the flock on earth and that which is gone to Heaven, death lies like a dark valley that must be passed in going from one to the other. But even in this there are words which lessen the terror. It is but the shadow of death: the shadow of a serpent will not sting, nor the shadow of a sword kill. It is a valley, deep indeed, and dark, and miry; but valleys are often fruitful, and so is death itself fruitful of comforts to God's people. It is a walk through it: they shall not be lost in this valley, but get safe to the mountain on the other side. Death is a king of terrors, but not to the sheep of Christ Jesus. When they come to die, God, our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus, will rebuke the enemy; He will guide them with His rod, and sustain them with His staff. There is enough in the gospel to comfort the saints when dying, and underneath them are the everlasting arms, of Christ Jesus. The Lord's people feast at His table, upon the provisions of His love. satan and wicked men are not able to destroy their comforts, while they are anointed with the Holy Spirit, and drink of the cup of salvation which is ever full. Past experience teaches believers to trust that the goodness and mercy of God will follow them all the days of their lives, and it is their desire and determination, to seek their happiness in the service of God here, and they hope to enjoy His love for ever in Heaven. While here, the Lord can make any situation pleasant, by the anointing of His Holy Spirit and the joys of His salvation. But those that would be satisfied with the Blessings of His house, must keep close to the duties of it.
PRAYER:
Most Holy Father, our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus. we come before You this morning, not with vain words, or pretense, but with a pure heart and in praise unto Your Holy name. Thank You Lord, Christ Jesus, that You have once again seen fit to bring us to another day. Thank You Lord Christ Jesus. we Pray that You will pour out Your guidance on all the homes of the world. Heal the wounds that bleed because of disobedience and disloyalty, and fear. Bind up the hearts of those who think they have been forsaken and forgotten. Forgive the sins of those who have not followed Your will. Keep all families safe from satan's attacks, and finally join us all in the family of Heaven. Thank You Lord, Thank You. Lord Christ Jesus, the maker of Heaven and Earth, we pray for your protection and Blessing. we don't deserve it, but we trust that You will answer our Prayer because You, Christ Jesus is our Savior and You have paid for our sins. Thank You Lord, Thank You. O' Bless that wonderful name of Christ Jesus, the only name by which any man can be saved. Thank You Lord. Blessed Lord, only You, Savior, can satisfy our hunger and thirst for righteousness. Come and spread before us the feast of salvation. Dress us to meet You our God, in spotless garments, so that we come into Your presence with singing. Through You alone, Lord Christ, we receive the great gifts You, our Father desires to give us. In Your Holy name Christ Jesus, we bow before You in Prayer asking Your Blessing on us, Your servants. Dear Lord, You have ordained that Your Holy and saving Word should be preached from the pulpits of our land by those You have called to this vital and wonderful service. You Yourself know from experience Christ Jesus, all that this ministry entails, from its highest joys to its deepest heartaches, from the days when everything seems to be working so well to the days when it all seems a complete frustration. Lord, we Thank You for calling us to Your service and we have accepted both the joy and the burden, and we Pray, and Thank You that You will, forever keep us in Your loving care. Thank You Lord Christ Jesus, Thank You. Use us, Your people, Your servants, to do Your will. Thank You Lord Christ Jesus. Lord, give us strength, as we use the Word, to bring souls to You. Thank You Lord, Thank You. Lord, let none of us, ever neglect our duties in preaching and teaching, but whenever we are called, let us go gladly. Thank You Lord. Thank You Lord, that we don't have to worry about the needs of our families, or anything else, for You have already went before us, making every crooked road straight, and nothing will interfere with our diligent desire to serve You and the flock You have bought with Your own blood. Thank You Lord Christ Jesus, Thank You. Lord we Pray that You keep us faithful and true to Your Word and our Calling, and keep us true to their Biblical teaching. May the truths that we proclaim, take root in hearts, that they may bring forth the fruits of Christian Faith, joy, hope and service. Thank You Lord, Thank You. Precious Lord Christ Jesus, Thank You that You have given to us the joy and satisfaction of knowing that the work we do is Your work, and that You will truly be with us always, even to the end of the world. Dear Jesus, Bless pastors everywhere that they may preach Your true Word to the congregation, to the glory of Your name and for the salvation of souls. Thank You, Lord and Savior Christ Jesus. Lord, You have told us through You Holy Word; Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory, I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you, Prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was, He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep, God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Christ Jesus, our Lord, Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass. O' Bless that Wonderful name of Christ Jesus, Thank You Lord, Thank You, Lord and Savior Christ Jesus.
Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Who has by the shading of Your Blood on the Cross, and raising from the grave, has proven Himself, to be more then able to keep us, until the day of Your coming. Today and everyday, for the rest of our lives, we give Thanks unto You, most Beloved Christ Jesus. we demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. Father, i in the Holy and Blessed name of Christ Jesus, who is Lord of my life, proclaim that our Prayer, and all we ask is already done, for we ask in Your most Precious Holy name, and i commend each and everyone of Your children's bodies and souls into Your loving, mighty hands, our Beloved Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus, Who is Lord Of Our Lives.
Amen.
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