2020-05-10 Psalm 23:4 THE SHEPHERD’S REFUGE

THE SHEPHERD’S REFUGE (Psalm 23:4) May 10, 2020 Read Psalm 23:1-4 – Life is no picnic, is it? There are peaks and valleys. It’s like the guy who took 5-year-old Annie to the doc for booster shots. The doc held the syringe and asked kindly, “Now, which arm, Annie?” With a quivering voice she said, “Yours!” We’d all like to shift life’s hard things to someone else. But it doesn’t work that way. Shadows lurk for all of us. But David says when that happened to him, “I will fear no evil.” How could he say that? He found the Shepherd’s refuge. And it was very personal to David. Prior to v 4, David has been talking about the Shepherd in the 3rd person (he), but now, he uses the 2nd person of direct contact. You are with me. It’s your rod and staff that comfort me. The closeness of the Shepherd takes on added meaning as the times get tough. David shows 2 perspectives: I. The Presence of the Shadow, but then II. The Presence of the Shepherd. I. The Presence of the Shadow – There are two types of shadow. A. The Shadow of Danger – “The valley of the shadow of death,” some think he’s talking deathbed. Death is closing in. That’s part of it, but the phrase is broader than that. “Shadow of death” is a single Heb word, “deep darkness.” When a sheep went thru the valley of deep darkness, it might not die, but it was in danger. The path to good pasture often led thru rugged canyons and deep ravines where the risk was high. A flash flood, or wild animals sheltered in the caves and wadis meant danger anytime they moved locations. As a shepherd David had “struck down both lions and bears” (I Sam 17:36). He knew the valleys of deepest darkness where danger lurks. These are the adversities of life. Trouble is inevitable. You can’t hit a homerun every time up. Job 5:7: “But man is born to trouble as the sparks fly upward.” Every Bible character had the peaks and valleys of real life. One way to deal with adversity is to realize – it’s coming! As long as life is with us, trouble will be with us. There will be varying degrees of darkness, but we will all go through valleys, and some of them will be very dark. David knew darkness –fighting Philistines, chased by Saul, betrayed by a wife, daughter raped, 2 sons murdered and 2 others attempting coups. It was a blessed life; but it was not an easy life. Which reminds us, the valleys are just as much on the Shepherd’s right path as the green grass and quiet waters. 1 That’s a stunning realization! That’s why James 1:2: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds.” The Shepherd takes us in dark valleys to get us to something good on the other side. Dark valleys happen for a lot of reasons. Often, it’s discipline to prompt changes in us. And, almost every valley represents a test intended to grow us. Tests are a part of life -- for our good. Job 23:10; “But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.” That’s what God is looking for – gold. Remove the dross – get the gold! When Israel entered Canaan, the 1st city was easy – Jericho. March around it, the walls fall and in you go. But taking the rest of the country required serious fighting. Why? Judges 3:1: “Now these are the nations that the Lord left, [Why?] to test Israel by them.” God’s finding out: who’s in and who’s not! Who trust; who doesn’t! A CW re-enactment was taking place on a sweltering hot day. Before a single shot had been fired, one of the “Rebel” actors threw down his gun; pulled off his wool shirt and headed for the refreshment stand grumbling, “I quit. We’re not going to win anyway.” That’s where we have the advantage, Beloved. We know we are going to win in the end. The outcome is already decided, so as we go thru the valleys of deep darkness, we must keep the faith, pass the test. B. The Shadow of Death So, the valley of darkness speaks of life’s adversities. But it also goes deeper. After many valleys of deep darkness, we inevitably arrive at the valley of deepest darkness – death itself – not just the shadow, the reality. It’s going to happen – just a matter of when, right? When asked what epitaph he wanted on his gravestone, Dustin Hoffman replied, “I knew this was going to happen!” Clever, but true, isn’t it? Johnny Carson said he’d like, “I’ll be right back.” But, of course, he wasn’t. None of us will be. Death is a frightening prospect. We’ve never been there. So we don’t talk about it much; don’t think about it. But we should think about it. Like it not, it’s coming. There’s a legend of a merchant who sent his servant to market. He returned trembling with fear. His master asked, “What’s wrong?” The man replied, “At the market I was jostled by a man in the crowd; when I turned, I saw Death. He made a threatening gesture. So, please, Master, lend me your horse. I will ride to Samarra and hide so Death will not find me.” The merchant gave him the horse and off he went. Later the merchant saw Death down in the market. He asked, “Why did you frighten my servant this morning, with a threatening gesture?” Death replied, “That wasn’t a threatening gesture. It was surprise. I was startled to 2 see him in Bagdad since I have an appointment with him -- tonight -- in Samarra.” And so each of us has an appointment in Samarra – the valley of deepest darkness. And it will not pay to ignore the fact. Jesus told of a man who retired with so many riches he had to build bigger barns to hold it all. His attitude: Lu 12:19: “And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ 20) But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” Jesus isn’t against riches. He’s teaching against the folly of living like they last forever. He’s speaking against not preparing NOW for what is coming LATER. Most people ignore death. They’ve never been there. It’s scary, so they just don’t think about it. But this would be a good day to think about it. Who would want to be called a fool by God? David didn’t fear the valley of the shadow of death. Why? II. The Presence of the Shepherd David could look death square in the face and say, “I will fear no evil.” Why? Bc he saw not only saw the Presence of the Shadow; David also saw the Presence of the Shepherd. And the Shepherd overshadowed the Shadow. Isn’t that great? It’s like a playground bully saying, “I’m going to pound your ugly face in the sand.” Your knees shake; you know he can do it. But just then your friend ambles by. You say to the bully, “Hey, I’d like you to meet my friend – Arnold Schwarzenegger.” All of a sudden – no fear, right? That is David’s point. The presence of the Shepherd makes all the difference. A. His Person – First, and most important, He takes comfort in the shepherd’s presence – “for you are with me.” That phrase is smack dab in the middle of this psalm. 26 Heb words to the right. 26 to the left. David spotlights the Shepherd, not the Shadow! He’s focused on the solution, not the problem. The Shadow, mighty as it is, is nothing compared to the power of the Shepherd. The deepest darkness must give way to the light of the Shepherd. That took a lot of faith in David’s day. Why? Bc the Shepherd hadn’t defeated death yet at that point in history. He hadn’t seen Yahweh take on human flesh and be born in a manger. He didn’t yet know of the perfect life Jesus would live in his place or the death Jesus would die to cover his sins – sins that included adultery and murder. He didn’t know about the resurrection. He didn’t know: I Cor 15:20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For as by a man came death, 3 by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.” He didn’t know how the writer of Hebrews would describe all this: Heb 2: 14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.” David didn’t know how it would all play out! But he didn’t fear? Bc He knew the Shepherd; and that was all he needed to know. We’ve got it easy by comparison. We can look back to a risen Savior, a glorified Lord and a Good shepherd who could say Jn 11: “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.” He said it and then He did it. Our hope is this: Our shepherd has been there and back! Calvin Miller attended seminary with a man who later abandoned his faith – became an atheistic prof of philosophy. One day Miller visited a dying woman in the hospital and then met his friend for coffee. Miller asked, “What would you, now an atheist, have said to this dying woman?” The prof said, “Well, I probably would have told her she must count on the love of Jesus, look to Him for hope.” Miller said, “But you don’t believe that.” The man replied, “No, but what I believe would be of no help to her in her time of need.” Beloved, I would do anything to keep you from going through the valley of the shadow of death with a faith that gives you no hope. The only answer – Jesus. By His death, He defeated our death! Put your faith in a sure thing. He told Moses as he left Egypt: Exod 33:14: “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” He was there for Moses, and He’s there for you, too. B. His Protection – In addition to the Lord’s presence, David said, “Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” The Shepherd is armed and ready. “Rod” was a cudgel often used to discipline the flock, but here it speaks of its value to ward off predators. In speaking of how he fought lions and bears in defense of his sheep David says, I Sam 17:35: “I went after him (lion or bear) and struck him and delivered it (the sheep) out of his mouth. And if he arose against me, I caught him by his beard and struck him and killed him.” The rod was a seriously danger weapon when wielded by skilled hands. The staff, with its curved end was also a weapon of defense – as when the Lord speaks of protecting Israel when Assyria “lift up their staff again you” (Isa 10:14b). But it was also used to direct the sheep, to pull them away from 4 danger, and to remove impediments from their path. David’s shepherd is fully equipped to meet any danger in the valley of the shadow of death. So is our Shepherd. Our greatest enemy is Satan. He ”accuses [believers] night and day before our God” (Rev 12:10). But – I Jn 2:1b: “But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” Our champion pleads His own righteousness in place of our failure. That is the rod and staff he earned on the cross enabling Him to protect us in this life and beyond. So Rom 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Nothing and no one is a match for our Shepherd. Conc – I hope you can also say, “The Lord is My Shepherd”? If you can’t, why not invite Him to be right now. Rev 3:20: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him.” He won’t be there forever. But He’s there now, if you will open the door, take His hand and put your trust in Him, eternal life can be yours. If He is your Shepherd, here’s His promise to you: Isa 43:1b-3: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are MINE. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. 3) For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” What a promise. Let me make it real for you. About 2 weeks ago I got a call from a brother telling me that our sister, Becky (Janie to me from when she was a kid), her husband -- a hearty, healthy guy, suddenly had a serious lung condition. Ed has the greatest servant’s heart of any of us – a wonderful man. Our family (10 bros and sisters, and some nieces and nephews) arranged a Zoom call a week ago Wednesday to pray for them as they seek further insight into a serious, serious situation. A couple days later I sent a text telling them they were now at the top of my “when I’m awake in the middle of the night” prayer list (which many of you are on as well) and that Isa 43:1-3 had come to mind. Perhaps it would help 5 when they wake at night and it hits them all over again. Janie sent back, “Oh, Dave . . . God is good to affirm His presence again and again isn’t He? Look what my phone screensaver is.” She sent a screen shot of it. It was this verse in large letters: “I have called you by name, you are mine!” Now we don’t know exactly where this valley of deep darkness will lead. But here’s what we do know. We know the Presence of the Shepherd absolutely overshadows the Darkness. We know the Shepherd has already taken our deepest darkness on Himself on the cross so we don’t have to. We know that He is alive and well and with us. We know He knows our name; He knows where we live; He knows our darkness; and He is going through it with us. We know we are His. And that’s all we need to know. Let’s pray. Song: In Christ Alone 6