8^th May 2014

In a strange but fascinating way Psalm 23 begins with a picture found in Psalm 78: Verse 4. The Psalmist speaks of "the glorious deeds of the Lord and his might and the wonders he has done". We might ask, "What has he done and how did he do it?"

Now we know in Old Testament history that God delivered his people from Egypt. How did he do it? Well, Moses was chosen/destined to learn how to shepherd sheep for Jethro in the desert of Midian. Then in Psalm 78 verse 52 it says: --- not Moses but-"He,--(the Lord-Jehovah) led out his people like sheep and guided them in the wilderness like a flock". The metaphor of God as the Shepherd and the people as sheep is bold and very personal. If we accept Psalm 23 as a Psalm of David it tells us that the "real Shepherd" who was behind the shepherd Moses, was the same Shepherd who was behind the shepherd David --- so David says:
"THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD".

A writer by the name of Beecher has written: "Psalm 23 has flown up and down the earth singing the sweetest song ever heard. It has charmed more grief to rest than all the philosophies of the world. It will go on singing to your children, to my children and to their children until the end of time".

From the outset it needs to be said the words and lyrics of Psalm 23 are much more than mere emotional sentiment. Psalm 23 is more than a historical poem. What we have here is much more than ancient literature. It is more than an ancient song suitable for a choral occasion or a church choir. Here we have the preserved personal testimony of the Psalmist who, as a finite person is defining his relationship with an infinite Lord God who is a Shepherd who can be personally known. The Psalmist lives his life with the consciousness of another presence.

This Psalm can certainly speaks to our grief and the grief of our children when we come to know the Shepherd as the Psalmist does.

It used to be said that a person could be so heavenly minded that they were of no earthly use. In the secular cultural context of our time the exact opposite is true. We have become so earthly minded that many have no consciousness of a spiritual dimension or presence beyond superficial material things that we can see and feel.

The Psalmist immediately confronts our materialistic mind-set, our narrow perception of life and points to the reality of another consciousness. An awareness of a personal infinite Living God who he knows and personally relates too. The Psalmist says:
"THOUGH I WALK THROUGH THE (alternate translation), DARKEST VALLEY --- the valley of the shadow of death". Verse 4.The Psalmist knows the Shepherd as the "Shepherd-Protector" whether the darkest valley be the shadow of death or some other sombre place.

Some scholars say the valley of the shadow of death was actually a valley covered with dense under-growth. Under the carpet of growth were cliffs, crevasses and deep ravines. It was a place of danger and terror associated with fear and death. Friends whether we live in a fantasy world of our own making or not, in reality, like the Psalmist, we live our life time in what we might call the valley of the shadow of death.

Yet the Psalmist says, "I FEAR NO EVIL" verse 4.
It is natural for us to live life as if we are going to live for ever. The certainty of our own death should help us to face our mortality but in a strange way it doesn't do that. Why doesn't it? ----Because unlike the Psalmist we fear evil-(death). The Writer of Hebrews describes it as a life-long bondage. Hebrews: 4:14. This is not just a fear of the evil around us. The Bible points to an inner fear we feel as the consequences of our own evil and failure.-this is a deep suppressed fear the constantly presses in on us. The only hope that saves us from the consequences of the "valley of our own evil" is found in the Shepherd.

The Psalmist says, "YOU ARE WITH ME". Verse 4.
He knows his security is not found in his environment,--in green valleys, still waters or dark valleys---but in the SHEPHERD, in His presence there is no want, dissatisfaction or fear.

The Christian cannot read or sing this Psalm without thinking of Jesus Christ who dared to use this Old Testament metaphor of Jehovah to describe himself. Jesus said, "I am the Good Shepherd---and I lay down my life for the sheep. --- no one takes it from me I lay it down of my own accord". John 10:14 and 18. No one else in history has made that universal claim or been in a position to willingly take all that is misguided and wrong about our lives and to make it his own. No one else has embraced our death or has ever been able to say, "I lay down my life, and I have power to take it again". Jesus Christ alone destroys the fear of death with resurrection.

To those who know him as Saviour he says, "Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me. I go to prepare a place for you that where I am you may be also".
The Late Malcolm Muggeridge asks: "Is there a God?---I myself should be very happy to answer with an emphatic negative! -I have never wanted God or feared God. ---but I am driven to the conclusion that God wants me." Most of us are like sheep, awkwardly, dependently, but most of us like Muggeridge try to live like lions, striving, proud, self sufficient, unleadable.
We may not want the Shepherd of the 23rd Psalm or the Christ of the resurrection-but as the God of all Creation He lays claim to us and invites us to experience the reality of His presence with us -now and always. (Finish).

IN VERSES 5 and 6 THE SCENE CHANGES.
We are no longer outside but inside.
We are no longer sheep in a flock but guests at a banquet.
The Divine Host has prepared a table before us. It is not a secret feast but it is enjoyed in the presence of our enemies. --- because when we know the Shepherd we know we are forgiven people, made whole, so our soul is satisfied and it cannot be hidden from the world. The provision is so lavish, the table is laden, the cup overflows, and we are anointed in a way that restores our dignity and worth---so that with David the Psalmist we are able to cry out,

"SURELY GOODNESS AND MERCY WILL FOLLOW ME".
God's Goodness and Mercy always goes together.
In God's Mercy --- the Shepherd has shared in our humanity.
In God's Mercy the Shepherd bares the weight of our sin and shame.
In God's Mercy the Shepherd destroys our death in His death
In God's Goodness He forgives, cleanses us and makes us whole.

Life is not an accident or a co-incidence, a jumble of events without rhyme or reason. - As the Psalmist reflects on life, he knows the Shepherd has not only been his Protector, He is also his Provider, and the one who Restores the soul so that "all the days of his life" are taken care of. In Jesus resurrection there is a certain future. The Father's House has many rooms and mansions and there is one dwelling especially arranged and prepared for the Psalmist and for you and me. (Finish).

Rev EA (Ted) Curnow May 2014