Psalm 23Trusting The Creator In A Coronavirus Crisis (3)
Notes
Transcript
6 Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
as long as I live.
Trusting The Creator In A Coronavirus Crisis
Trusting The Creator In A Coronavirus Crisis
Part 7 Psalm 23:6
Part 7 Psalm 23:6
The Lord Is In Front Of Us, With Us, And Behind Us
The Lord Is In Front Of Us, With Us, And Behind Us
Intro:
Intro:
As the shepherd lay each night at the door of the sheepfold, he looked back over the day and gave thanks that the Lord had blessed them with goodness and mercy.
As the shepherd lay each night at the door of the sheepfold, he looked back over the day and gave thanks that the Lord had blessed them with goodness and mercy.
Illustration. The Good Shepherd at the gate. At night sheep were kept in an enclosure with a single opening, the gate. The shepherd slept in the doorway so that no wild beast could attack, except over his own body. Jesus as the “Gate for the sheep” interposes His own body between us and sin and Satan. He actually gave His life that we might have life. He truly is the Good Shepherd.
The Context of verse 6:
The Context of verse 6:
David declares, ‘I will return to the house’, i.e. when earth’s paths (2, 3), valleys and threats (5) are over, there comes the real return home.
David declares, ‘I will return to the house’, i.e. when earth’s paths (2, 3), valleys and threats (5) are over, there comes the real return home.
1. Surely “Only”—That's Certainty
1. Surely “Only”—That's Certainty
David says, "Surely or without a doubt"
David says, "Surely or without a doubt"
As an old man, David looked back over his long life and came to the same conclusion. In spite of his sins and failures, he had been followed by goodness and mercy, which is the Old Testament equivalent of Romans 8:28. “Surely” means “only.” As David looked ahead, he knew he would be in heaven—the Father’s house—forever. This isn’t a reference to the temple, because the king didn’t live in the temple. Furthermore, nobody could live there or anywhere else forever. Jesus used this vocabulary to speak about heaven 1 “Your heart must not be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if not, I would have told you. I am going away to prepare a place for you. 3 If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come back and receive you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also. 4 You know the way to where I am going.” 5 “Lord,” Thomas said, “we don’t know where You’re going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Jn 14:1–6.
As an old man, David looked back over his long life and came to the same conclusion. In spite of his sins and failures, he had been followed by goodness and mercy, which is the Old Testament equivalent of Romans 8:28. “Surely” means “only.” As David looked ahead, he knew he would be in heaven—the Father’s house—forever. This isn’t a reference to the temple, because the king didn’t live in the temple. Furthermore, nobody could live there or anywhere else forever. Jesus used this vocabulary to speak about heaven 1 “Your heart must not be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if not, I would have told you. I am going away to prepare a place for you. 3 If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come back and receive you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also. 4 You know the way to where I am going.” 5 “Lord,” Thomas said, “we don’t know where You’re going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Jn 14:1–6.
Life Application:
Life Application:
The things that perplex and disturb us today will all be clear when we get to heaven. We will look back and see “only goodness and mercy.” Under the old covenant, the sheep died for the shepherd, but under the new covenant, the Shepherd died for the sheep—and we shall meet our Shepherd in heaven! “For the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. For the Lamb who is at the center of the throne will shepherd them; He will guide them to springs of living waters, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Re 7:17–8:1.
The things that perplex and disturb us today will all be clear when we get to heaven. We will look back and see “only goodness and mercy.” Under the old covenant, the sheep died for the shepherd, but under the new covenant, the Shepherd died for the sheep—and we shall meet our Shepherd in heaven! “For the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. For the Lamb who is at the center of the throne will shepherd them; He will guide them to springs of living waters, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Re 7:17–8:1.
God has never failed in the past and He cannot fail in the future. If He loved us as sinners how much more does He love us as His children. If He saved us as sinners how much more shall He save us as His own sons and daughters?
God has never failed in the past and He cannot fail in the future. If He loved us as sinners how much more does He love us as His children. If He saved us as sinners how much more shall He save us as His own sons and daughters?
2. Goodness and Mercy —That's Company
2. Goodness and Mercy —That's Company
Goodness and mercy are the divine perfections of the Almighty. Goodness is the perfection of His Mind. Mercy is the perfection of His Heart. Goodness works in both heaven and on earth but it is on earth that mercy has its sphere. Where sin is, mercy is required. Unfallen Adam had goodness in Paradise. Fallen Adam had mercy in Paradise Lost that made it Paradise Regained.
Goodness and mercy are the divine perfections of the Almighty. Goodness is the perfection of His Mind. Mercy is the perfection of His Heart. Goodness works in both heaven and on earth but it is on earth that mercy has its sphere. Where sin is, mercy is required. Unfallen Adam had goodness in Paradise. Fallen Adam had mercy in Paradise Lost that made it Paradise Regained.
Goodness and mercy are the sheep dogs in our lives to keep us moving forward for Christ. Goodness can also be rendered good things, prosperity, happiness, or bounty. Mercy can also be translated "loving kindness or faithfulness." God's goodness takes care of my steps and His mercy takes care of my stumbles. His goodness meets our needs and His mercy forgives all our faults. His goodness leads to repentance and His mercy leads to regeneration. Goodness caused the prodigal son to come back home and mercy ran to meet the son. Goodness is God's hand and mercy is God's heart. God has made it clear that His sheep will never be deserted.
Let me illustrate. An old lady who had been living by herself became frightened because two men were following her. However, they would vanish when the police showed up. She told her pastor about it. The reverend said, "Oh I know those fellows. Psalm 23:6 calls them goodness and mercy, the angels that God has assigned to keep watch over you."
Goodness and mercy are the sheep dogs in our lives to keep us moving forward for Christ. Goodness can also be rendered good things, prosperity, happiness, or bounty. Mercy can also be translated "loving kindness or faithfulness." God's goodness takes care of my steps and His mercy takes care of my stumbles. His goodness meets our needs and His mercy forgives all our faults. His goodness leads to repentance and His mercy leads to regeneration. Goodness caused the prodigal son to come back home and mercy ran to meet the son. Goodness is God's hand and mercy is God's heart. God has made it clear that His sheep will never be deserted.
Let me illustrate. An old lady who had been living by herself became frightened because two men were following her. However, they would vanish when the police showed up. She told her pastor about it. The reverend said, "Oh I know those fellows. Psalm 23:6 calls them goodness and mercy, the angels that God has assigned to keep watch over you."
3. Follow Me or will Pursue Me—That's Constancy
3. Follow Me or will Pursue Me—That's Constancy
They "shall follow" us. The word "follow" is from the Hebrew word radaph {raw-daf'} which means "to pursue, persecute, to run after, to put to flight or chase." This word is usually used in a hostile sense of an animal pursuing its prey, but here it is used in a benevolent way. These graces seek us out when we walk with the Lord and make Him the shepherd of our lives.
They "shall follow" us. The word "follow" is from the Hebrew word radaph {raw-daf'} which means "to pursue, persecute, to run after, to put to flight or chase." This word is usually used in a hostile sense of an animal pursuing its prey, but here it is used in a benevolent way. These graces seek us out when we walk with the Lord and make Him the shepherd of our lives.
Goodness and mercy will follow me. Goodness and mercy will surely follow us because God does not fail us. We may fail Him, but He never fails to bless us. He finishes what He starts in our lives.
Goodness and mercy will follow me. Goodness and mercy will surely follow us because God does not fail us. We may fail Him, but He never fails to bless us. He finishes what He starts in our lives.
Goodness and mercy never give me up. They stick with me. They follow closely behind me at all times and in all circumstances.
Goodness and mercy never give me up. They stick with me. They follow closely behind me at all times and in all circumstances.
4. All the Days of My Life—That's Capacity
4. All the Days of My Life—That's Capacity
David had experienced enough of life to know that God is good all of the time. In every circumstance God’s goodness had flowed out to him: in battles, false accusations, his life as a fugitive, the death of his child, and heart-rending problems within his family. Even in David’s time of horrific sin—adultery and murder—God displayed His goodness to him. In times of distress, David had repeatedly called out for God’s mercy (chesed) to preserve him and God had shown him steadfast, covenant love. The Lord had proven true to His character and His Word. David expected God’s goodness to continue throughout the rest of his life, and he knew that Jehovah would be unfailingly true to His great name.
David had experienced enough of life to know that God is good all of the time. In every circumstance God’s goodness had flowed out to him: in battles, false accusations, his life as a fugitive, the death of his child, and heart-rending problems within his family. Even in David’s time of horrific sin—adultery and murder—God displayed His goodness to him. In times of distress, David had repeatedly called out for God’s mercy (chesed) to preserve him and God had shown him steadfast, covenant love. The Lord had proven true to His character and His Word. David expected God’s goodness to continue throughout the rest of his life, and he knew that Jehovah would be unfailingly true to His great name.
Life Application:
Life Application:
Here is the total capacity of my life on earth. All my spring days, all my summer days, all my autumn days and all my winter days, are included. Yes and some days are the four seasons in one. But my Shepherd is with me every day and all the days. Jesus for my soul is caring, nought can harm the Father's child.
Here is the total capacity of my life on earth. All my spring days, all my summer days, all my autumn days and all my winter days, are included. Yes and some days are the four seasons in one. But my Shepherd is with me every day and all the days. Jesus for my soul is caring, nought can harm the Father's child.
5. Dwell- That’s Continuously
This is the climax of the psalm. It is the eternal destiny of all those who have Jesus Christ as their Savior/Shepherd. "Dwelling in the house of Jehovah does not mean frequenting his sanctuary, but being a member of his household and an inmate of his family, enjoying his protection, holding communion with him, and subsisting on his bounty" (Alexander). This great climax of blessing comes when the "Lord is my shepherd." You will never experience these blessings unless He is your Shepherd.
5. Dwell- That’s Continuously
This is the climax of the psalm. It is the eternal destiny of all those who have Jesus Christ as their Savior/Shepherd. "Dwelling in the house of Jehovah does not mean frequenting his sanctuary, but being a member of his household and an inmate of his family, enjoying his protection, holding communion with him, and subsisting on his bounty" (Alexander). This great climax of blessing comes when the "Lord is my shepherd." You will never experience these blessings unless He is your Shepherd.
Life Application.
Everything We Need The sufficiency of Christ in the life of any believer is astounding, a matter of great comfort and encouragement. Whenever a person has Christ in his life, he has everything he needs because Christ is everything. Christ is able to meet every need. He is the Alpha and Omega, the Creator and sustainer of all, the infinite God who can meet whatever needs we may have. This is the central theme of this psalm, which is a source of grace to every believer. Because of the indwelling of Christ in believers' lives, they will never lack anything they truly need within the will of God. Christ is their peace and protection in every situation, their guard and guide in all they do. What a blessing it is for every believer, pictured here as a weak sheep and weary traveler, to know that Christ, the Good Shepherd and gracious host, is sufficient to meet every need. Christ is the full source and abundant supply for meeting every need we have.
Life Application.
Everything We Need The sufficiency of Christ in the life of any believer is astounding, a matter of great comfort and encouragement. Whenever a person has Christ in his life, he has everything he needs because Christ is everything. Christ is able to meet every need. He is the Alpha and Omega, the Creator and sustainer of all, the infinite God who can meet whatever needs we may have. This is the central theme of this psalm, which is a source of grace to every believer. Because of the indwelling of Christ in believers' lives, they will never lack anything they truly need within the will of God. Christ is their peace and protection in every situation, their guard and guide in all they do. What a blessing it is for every believer, pictured here as a weak sheep and weary traveler, to know that Christ, the Good Shepherd and gracious host, is sufficient to meet every need. Christ is the full source and abundant supply for meeting every need we have.
Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Worshipful, 1st ed., “Be” Commentary Series (Colorado Springs, CO: Cook Communications Ministries, 2004), 97–98.
Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Worshipful, 1st ed., “Be” Commentary Series (Colorado Springs, CO: Cook Communications Ministries, 2004), 97–98.
Lawrence O. Richards, The Bible Reader’s Companion, electronic ed. (Wheaton: Victor Books, 1991), 687.
Lawrence O. Richards, The Bible Reader’s Companion, electronic ed. (Wheaton: Victor Books, 1991), 687.
J. A. Motyer, “The Psalms,” in New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition, ed. D. A. Carson et al., 4th ed. (Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 1994), 501.
J. A. Motyer, “The Psalms,” in New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition, ed. D. A. Carson et al., 4th ed. (Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 1994), 501.
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