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I Will Dwell in the House of the Lord Forever

Here is a sheep so utterly satisfied with its lot in life, so fully contented with the care it receives, so much "at home" with the shepherd that there is not a shred of desire for a change.

Surely Goodness and Love Shall Follow Me . . .

He looks on my life in tenderness, for He loves me deeply. He sees the long years during which His goodness and mercy have followed me without slackening. He longs to see some measure of that same goodness and mercy not only passed on to others by me but also passed back to Him with joy.

You Annoint My Head With Oil. . .

It is this daily annointing of God's gracious Spirit upon my mind, which produces in my life such personality traits as joy, contentment, love, patience, gentleness, and peace. What a contrast this is to the tempers, frustration, and irritableness that mar the daily conduct of so many of God's children.

You Prepare a Table Before Me . . .

Jesus told us Himself that He had come that we might have life and have it more abundantly. Just as the sheepman is thrilled beyond words to see his sheep thriving on the high, rich summer range (it is one of the highlights of his whole year), so my Shepherd is immensely pleased when He sees me flourish on the tablelands of a noble, lofty life that He has made possible for me.

Your Rod and Your Staff, They Comfort Me. . .

Just as the rod of God is emblematic of the Word of God, so the staff of God is symbolic of the Spirit of God. In Christ's dealings with us as individuals, there is the essence of the sweetness, the comfort and consolation, the gentle correction brought about by the work of His gracious Spirit.

Even Though I Walk Through the Valley. . .

It is a most reassuring and reinforcing experience to the child of God to discover that there is, even in the dark valley, a source of strength and courage to be found in God. It is when he can look back over life and see how the Shepherd's hand has guided and sustained him in the darkest hours that renewed faith is engendered.

He Leads Me in Paths of Righteousness for His Name's Sake

The difficult point is that most of us don't want to come. We don't want to follow. We don't want to be led in the paths of righteousness. Somehow it goes against our grain. We actually prefer to turn to our own way even though it may take us straight into trouble.

He Restores My Soul

When I read the life story of Jesus Christ and examine carefully His conduct in coping with human need, I see Him again and again as the Good Shepherd picking up cast sheep. The tenderness, the love, the patience that He used to restore Peter's soul after the terrible tragedy of his temptations is a classic picture of the Christ coming to restore one of His own.

He Leads Me Beside Quiet Waters

He [The Holy Spirit] would make us see that the life in Christ was the only truly satisfying life. We would discover the delight of having our souls satisfied with His presence. It would be He who would become to us very meat and drink--that at His resurrection, overcoming life was imparted to me by His Spirit each day I would be refreshed and satisfied.

He Makes Me Lie Down in Green Pastures

This life of quiet overcoming, of happy repose, of rest in His presence, of confidence in His management is something few Christians ever fully enjoy. . . But the Good Shepherd has supplied green pastures for those who care to move in onto them and there find peace and plenty.

I Shall Not Be In Want

Contentment should be the hallmark of the man or woman who has put his or her affairs in the hands of God. This especially applies in our affluent age. But the outstanding paradox is the intense fever of discontent among people who are ever speaking of security.

The Lord is my Shepherd

For the man or woman who recognizes the claim of Christ and gives allegiance to His absolute ownership, there comes the question of bearing His mark. The mark of the cross is that which should identify us with Him for all time. The question is--does it?

Jesus: God Is With Us

When God says "I am with you," He really can be, because He satisfied the debt that separated us with His own blood. This doesn't mean we'll always be happy, or never face difficulty--Jesus was always in close communion with the Father but still felt sorrow and still suffered. But it does mean that we will never, ever be alone. Jesus is the presence of God. Immanuel.

Elijah's Discouragement

Elijah was never actually alone, but God was sensitive to his irrational fears and needs as a human vessel. He equipped Elijah to go on both physically and spiritually. Elijah overcame his isolation and despair, going boldly into situations that could have cost him his life. And don't forget--he never really died.

Joshua's Obedience

They were surrounded by doubters who allowed their fear to drown out the promises of God Almighty had made to the people. It took repeated acts of courage, over many decades, before the victory Joshua and Caleb believed in actually came to be. May we also be ready to hear--and follow--the One Voice that matters--buoyed by His Command: "Be strong and courageous."

Noah's Patience

We can learn from Noah that it is possible to stand up for the truth when no one else will, if we do as he did: trust in God's call, obey even when we look foolish, hold to the hope set before us, and remember the cross.

Nehemiah's Wisdom

Nehemiah didn't shy away from difficult assignments, and his story reminds us that we are all prone to wander--even after genuine spiritual revival. So while Nehemiah's repeated attempts to restore the Jewish people's spiritual connection with God were likely never finished, the One who would come centuries later would finally restore the people's hearts to God once and for all. . .

Daniel's Integrity

Daniel found a home in Babylon because he knew that security and integrity come not from a physical place but from a heavenly Father.

We, too, are strangers in a land that is not our home. May we be willing to stand firm in uncomfortable situations, knowing our heavenly Father is on the journey with us--one that will eventually take us home to Him.

Jonah's Anger

God had thrown the Ninevites a lifeline. In Jonah's day, and despite his attitude, they humbled themselves and turned to Him. But subsequent generations' return to evil would ultimately be their downfall. That's why the story of redemption will never be over until God makes all things new. Until then, He'll keep calling for Johahs to go to the Ninevehs of the world. Let's plan on saying yes.

Joseph's Family Trauma

Joseph's story is a powerful picture of Jesus, the ultimate Saviour to come. They both served their fathers faithfully, watching over their sheep. They were both subjected to false accusations and condemned as criminals. After a time of suffering, each was exalted. And that resulted in them being in a position to save others.

Peter's Fear

Indeed, the same grace that covered and restored Peter is available today to all who will believe in Christ and His sacrifice. Despite Peter's impulsive, reckless decisions and failures, he was always part of God's bigger plan. No matter how much you and I may feel like we have failed, God is waiting to renew and rescue us. He promises to meet us there and ultimately turn it to His glory.

Moses's Social Anxiety

Moses began the story of God's journey to rescue and redeem us--he prophesied the importance of the sacrificial lamb and gave us the "words" that revealed God's plan of salvation. Jesus will write the final chapter, be the final Lamb, and be the final "Word" that "became flesh." (John 1:14)

Gideon's Imposter Syndrome

Just like in Gideon's case, God works through imperfect vessels even now. The glory is all His, but what a gift that we get to partner with Him here on earth. Truly, the pressure is off when God invites us to attempt the impossible, because only He can achieve it.

Certainly it seems to me that from having had to reach what is really the Voice of God in the cursing Psalms through all the horrible distortions of the human medium, I have gained something I might not have gained from a flawless, ethical exposition. The shadows have indicated (at least to my heart) something more about the light.

What I see (so to speak) in the faces of these old poets tells me more about the God whom they and we adore. ~ C.S. Lewis

Chapter 10 - Healing of Sin: Intimacy with God

As the Westminster Confession of Faith puts it, "As there is no sin so small but it deserves damnation; so there is no sin so great that it can bring damnation upon those who truly repent." In response to that, how can we not say with David,
"My tongue will sing of your righteousness, O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise." (Psalm 51:14-15)

Chapter 9-Healing of Sin: True Repentance
We follow Jesus because he's the One who taught us that the repenting sould is the tirumphant soul, that to lose our lives is to find our lives, that we behold his grace and glory in the dark valley, not on the moutaintop. Let us find his light in our darkness, his joy in our sorrow, his grace in our sin, and his riches in our poverty. This is the way to be healed of our sin.

Chapter 8: Sin as Slavery

The only way that fire can burn in your heart is through worship. Worship, worship, worship. That's what creates the appetite. As Psalm 34:8 says, "Taste and see that the Lord is good," . . . the tolerance effect is reversed. Don't you know his mercies are new every morning and nobody else's are?Everything else gets old. . . But the Lord gives more than enough each and every day.

Chapter 7: Sin as Leprosy (Part 2)

A lot of us are crying and wondering why God let terrible things happen to us. Perhaps he does it to make our hearts long for him. Our suffering can give us the chance to pay the price of usefulness. We can let our troubles move us closer to the world . . . or we can let our troubles create a great heart in us. We can be deeper in bondage, or we can be free.

Chapter 6: Sin as Leprosy (Part 1)

If we believe in grace and follow Jesus, our pride will be dissolved and the leprosy of our hearts will be cured. We will feel concern for others, give to them, and serve them so that they may know the wonderful truth we've discovered through the gospel. We will point them to the very salvation we have received ourselves.