THE MARVELLOUS FAITH OF GOD’S TRUSTING ‘SHEEP’ (Part 2)
Psalms 23:3-6 “He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of Righteousness for His Name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.
Your rod and Your staff they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil, my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Focus: God wants to build a relationship with us, which will cause us to have steadfast Faith and Confidence in Him
We were truly blessed by the first two verses of this Psalm. David further tells us that God restored his soul, and led him in the paths of Righteousness for His Name’s sake. He understood that nothing could separate him from the Love of his God. David knew that God was committed to leading him in the path of Righteousness, because Righteousness is God’s Name. (Jeremiah 23:6) God’s Name is a reflection of His Character. He daily leads all of His children in the paths of Righteousness to perfect their characters. So David knew that even when he failed, his God would not give up on him. He RESTED in FULL ASSURANCE, that he would be FORGIVEN and RESTORED to sweet FELLOWSHIP with his beloved Shepherd. God invites us to DO the SAME when we fail Him.
David truly had a restful experience with God, which caused him to boldly proclaim, I will fear no evil. The continual awareness that God was ALWAYS with him, set him TOTALLY FREE from ALL FEAR. Thank God for FREEDOM from ALL FEARS. David knew that God was not only his PROVIDER, but He was also his PROTECTOR and COMFORTER. He also knew that when he needed the ‘ROD’ of correction, God would be his CHASTISER.
God’s relationship with David caused him to become a man of Great Faith. He was fully confident that his enemies could not prevent him from receiving the Blessings of God. David’s mind was continually anointed with the Presence, Power, Promises, and marvellous Performance of God in his daily life. The Bible says, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” (Romans 10:17) David was in constant communion with the LIVING WORD, which caused him to receive an OVERFLOWING CUP OF FAITH.
Finally, David concludes with unshakable conviction and certainty, that God’s Goodness and Mercy would SURELY follow him to the end of his days on this Earth. David’s belief in God’s Commitment to him, also caused him to be fully assured, that he would one day dwell in God’s House. By Faith, he looked forward to being a member of God’s Heavenly Household. Oh! What a SWEET, SATISFYING, and SANCTIFYING relationship David had with his Divine Shepherd.
God’s Presence in David’s life was truly remarkable. He wants to have this same kind of relationship with us. He wants us to get to know Him as Delightful and Dependable. God wants to Reveal to all of us that He is Real, Rich, and Reliable. He desires to develop in us the same Precious, Positive attitude, about His Presence, Power, Promises and marvellous Performances in our daily lives. Just as David did, God wants us to TESTIFY to the world; that God is EXCEEDINGLY ABLE, to meet ALL peoples needs, even as He daily meets our own, from His UNLIMITED Supplies. God is asking us to DECLARE to ALL men, that He Loves them, and has provided for them a dwelling Place in His Heavenly House. Today, GOD INVITES YOU to be His ‘sheep’, because He wants to be your Loving, and Faithful SHEPHERD, Forever.