As David’s song of the sheep concludes, he suddenly drops the analogy to consider his own experience of God, both as a simple man in need of a Savior and as a king in need of divine guidance. Verse 5 No sheep ever ate at a literal “table” prepared for it. Abruptly, we are transported from the green pastures, the valley, and the rugged mountainside to “a table” in the enemy’s presence.
Read MoreCategory Archives: Encouragement & Healing
The Shepherd Restores
As a former shepherd keeping watch over flocks in the wilderness, the composer of Psalm 23 understood the nature of sheep, including their bad habit of wandering. When one is attracted to a clump of grass away from the flock, off it goes, and sometimes it’s followed by several other woolly wanderers. Soon, night falls. Lurking in the darkness are hungry wolves, four-legged savages, looking for a supper of mutton!
Read MoreIn the Shepherd’s Care
Like many of the songs found in the Bible, Psalm 23 states its case in the first verse and simply verifies it in the remainder of the song. The key thought is this: Because the Lord is my Shepherd, I shall lack nothing! No uncertainty should frighten me. Here is the way the theme of Psalm 23 is played out in the balance of David’s famous song:
Read MoreGod’s Shield against Discouragement
Sometimes we suffer discouragement because of difficult circumstances caused by no one in particular: natural disasters, disease, economic downturns, injury. Frequently, however, we suffer because enemies cause us harm and refuse to stop. That was David’s lament in Psalm 5. He knew discouragement can easily escalate into resentment, bitterness, hatred, and finally retaliation.
Read MoreThe Faith to Hope Again
In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. All power to him forever! Amen. 1 Peter 5:10–11 The ink from Peter’s pen […]
Read MoreLife as a Pilgrim
For this world is not our permanent home; We are looking forward to a home yet to come. Hebrews 13:14 As Christians we live in a world that is not our home. We live as pilgrims on a journey in another land. If you want to know how to live the life of an alien, […]
Read MoreResisting the Devil
Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are. 1 Peter 5:8–9 […]
Read MoreHang On to Christ
In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. 1 Peter 5:10 Will there be suffering in resisting Satan? Yes. Will it be […]
Read MoreGod Will Exalt You at the Proper Time
So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 1 Peter 5:6–7 In the Old Testament, God’s hand symbolizes two things. The first is discipline (Exodus 3:20, Job 30:21, Psalm […]
Read MoreDirection, Discipline, and Discernment
Give your burdens to the LORD, And he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall. Psalm 55:22 To grasp what true success really is and how to obtain it, we need to tune out the seductive messages from the world and tune in to the instructive messages […]
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