Tony Graveside
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Let’s look at Psalm’s 23 a familiar set of Scripture at a time like this but let’s look at it a little in depth for just a quick moment.
1 The Lord is my shepherd,
I shall not want.
As David wrote this psalm he states that the Lord is his shepherd, David as a young man was a shepherd of his father’s sheep, and he knew what it was to be a shepherd, he knew what it took to take care of sheep.
Therefore, David states the Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. David was recognizing that God cared for him the same way that he had taken care of every need of his Father’s sheep.
By saying I shall not want, he was literally saying, I have no lack. God’s loving, protective care is perfect; His sheep, His people need nothing else.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.
By saying that God lets him lie down in green pastures, this is a picture of complete peacefulness and rest. The Good Shepherd - Jesus - leads his beloved people to a place of sustenance and rest.
3 He restores my soul;
He guides me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
We as humans need soul restoration because of spiritual carelessness, difficult circumstances, secret sin, and the world’s influences.
The Creator of heaven and earth desires intimate involvement with His people, wanting to lead them, not just point the way.
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.
When we find ourselves in the valley of the shadow of death, of deep darkness, we need not fear. The Lord is with us and will protect us.
The rod and staff are the shepherd’s equipment to protect the sheep in such situations.
David was comforted by the Lord’s presence and protection.
If you are a believer there is never a situation that the Lord is not aware of, for He never leaves or forsakes His people.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You have anointed my head with oil;
My cup overflows.
The enemy pursues, but the Lord’s people are safe in the shelter of the Shepherd’s tent.
Yahweh prepares the table while the enemy is just outside the tent’s door.
The Good Shepherd literally feeds His children in the presence of their enemies.
The image of anointing the head with oil, which was refreshing and soothing, harmonizes with the concept of a gracious host welcoming into his home.
David knew that his life because of the Lord was abundantly blessed.
6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
David looks beyond the pasture, that is this earthly life and is overwhelmed with the thoughts of dwelling in the presence of the house of the Lord forever.
That is living in heaven with Jesus Christ for eternity.
Tony is now in the presence of Jesus for eternity, and wishes that everyone here will one day make there way to heaven to meet him there also. To dwell in the presence of the Lord.
I want to close with a poem that I pray brings comfort to you this morning.
The Poem is from Francis J Crosby, called Safe in the Arms of Jesus.
Safe in the arms of Jesus,
safe on his gentle breast,
there by His love o’ershaded,
sweetly my soul shall rest.
Hark! Tis the voice of angels borne in a song to me,
over the fields of glory,
over the jasper sea.
Safe in the arms of Jesus,
safe from corroding care,
safe from the world’s temptation sin cannot harm me there.
Free from the blight of sorrow,
free from my doubt and fears;
only a few more trials,
only a few more tears!
Jesus my heart’s dear refuge,
Jesus has died for me;
firm on the rock of ages ever my trust shall be.
Here let me wait with patience,
wait till the night is o’er;
wait till I see the morning break on the golden shore.
Tony is safe in the arms of Jesus, there in Paradise with Jesus now.
He is patiently waiting for each of us to come and see him there.
Pray