He Leads Me Beside Still Waters- Part II

                                                        HE LEADS ME

                                              Beside Still Waters-Part II 

            Wilma and I love walking in the woods for most of the year. Wilma has been my guide whenever we hiked, knowing where and how to go through it. In one way, I was being led by Wilma. As a directionally challenged person, I realized I needed to walk closely with Wilma, trusting her navigation skills. Thank God, so far, we have never been lost in the woods.

            One hot summer day, we went on a trail at the Museum of American Bird Art in Canton! The trails wind through meadows, pine-oak upland, vernal pools, and a stream. We passed bird’s nests, tall green oak trees, deers, and turkeys that stopped by and gazed at us. It was so refreshing when we came by this gentle brook. Passing or sitting by a peaceful brook in the woods can be relaxing and reviving for someone who grew up in a hot and tropical country like India.

            When I read Psalm 23:2b, “He leads me beside still waters,” I thought about that gentle brook in the woods. For modern men and women who grew up in cities, Haddon Robinson says, “Understanding the Twenty-third Psalm can be difficult because of its imagery. In saying, The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want,” the psalmist compares God to a weather-driven shepherd. To appreciate this metaphor, we have to leave our air-conditioned houses and live for a while under the blazing hot Middle Eastern sun.

            It might be clearer if we paraphrased the Psalm, “The Lord is my mechanic and keeps me in repair.” That, of course, would ruin it. To an Israelite shepherd, sheep were not machines.” We value the 23^rd Psalm because it is personal. God demonstrates the same patient, tireless Care of His people that a good shepherd shows for his flock.”[1] We have been learning about the Five Ways The Good Shepherd Cares. Last week, we learned how the Good Shepherd feeds and gives rest to his sheep. We will explore how he cares for his sheep by leading them Beside Still Waters.

            David wrote Psalm 23 while fleeing Saul. He had been wandering from place to place, in exile from his own people, living among strangers and even enemies. David tenderly cared for the sheep entrusted to him as a shepherd boy. Now, he sees himself as a helpless sheep who needs a loving Good Shepherd who tenderly cares for and protects him. 

I. He Leads Me Beside Still Waters.

            Psalm 23:2b, “He leads me beside still waters.” David began this Psalm confidently, saying, “The Lord is my Shepherd. I lack nothing.” If you make the Lord Jehovah, the Lord God almighty, your Good Shepherd, you too will lack nothing. When you trust your Good Shepherd, He cares for you by feeding and giving you rest—another way he cares for his sheep is by leading them beside still waters to refresh and quench their thirst.

            The word for “still waters” may also be translated “stilled waters.” One thing we learn about sheep is that they have a deathly fear of moving water. Even after a long day in stifling heat, the sheep will not drink the cool, clear water when they come to a rushing brook. They will stand beside the stream and look but will not drink. Fear keeps them from refreshment.

            They know instinctively that if they should fall into the water, their coats will become water-logged, and they will drown. The Shepherd moves a few large stones and dams up a quiet place where his sheep may drink. Beside a rushing stream, he provides refreshment for the flock with the water he has stilled.”[2] How does this apply to people, God’s flock, in this life’s Journey?

 

 

II. The Good Shepherd Leads His People

            The acting verb in Vs. 2b,” He leads me beside still waters,” is leading. God has been leading His people back to Himself since banishing them from the Garden of Eden due to their sins. We saw how the Good Shepherd led Israel from Egypt to the promised land in the OT.

            After being made to wander in the wilderness of Sinai for forty years by God, the Israelites now camped at Mount Horeb before possessing Canan. Moses reminded them, saying, “Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.” Deuteronomy 8:2-3

            God leading his people as a shepherd has been a continuous theme in the OT. Jacob blessed Joseph, saying in Genesis 48:15, “May the God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked faithfully, the God who has been my Shepherd all my life to this day.” Ps 78, 80.        After proclaiming himself as the Good Shepherd, Jesus shared what a shepherd does. “He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.”John 10:3-5. God led His people in the OT, Jesus led his disciples in the NT, and who leads us now? The Holy Spirit.

            One of the roles of the Holy Spirit is to lead individual believers and the Church into all Truth. John 16:13 and Romans 8:14-16, “All those who the Holy Spirit leads are called the children of God. The significant difference between the devil and the Good Shepherd is that the devil pushes, frightens, and tempts you, but the Good Shepherd gently leads you.

            One day, we were walking in the hills in Hyderabad. I held Joanna and Jemimah’s hands, and Wilma carried Tara in a sling close to her heart. God brought this scripture to my mind. “He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.” Isaiah 40:11 made me realize that God wanted me to be a shepherd to my family first, eventually leading me to be a shepherd of God’s flock.

 

III. The Good Shepherd Leads His Sheep by Rushing Stream

            Our Good Shepherd not only leads us to the waters that He has stilled, but He also leads us beside the rushing stream. On most occasions, the life of a child of God goes smoothly and peacefully. They are refreshed by drinking from the stilled waters. They sometimes face rushing waters, either by their choice, the devil’s temptation, or, more often, being led by the Good Shepherd himself. He will do that deliberately to test what is in our hearts.

            When facing rushing streams, where will the Good Shepherd be? Will he abandon us when we need him the most? We get a picture of where the Good Shepherd is during such challenging times in Isaiah 43:1-3, “But now, this is what the Lord says—he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;” Isaiah 43:1-3

            This passage refers to God helping His people literally through rivers and fiery flames. Metaphorically speaking, rivers and fire represent situations that are uncontrollable to us, such as a cancer diagnosis, a marital crisis, working through a divorce, children turning away from their Christian faith, or financial challenges. The Good Shepherd will be with you right in the midst of them, walking with you and providing you with the strength to overcome problems.

             As I prepared this sermon, I was aware of the challenges faced by several of my friends and members of Hope Church. Some of you are tired and weary and want to quit. Our Good Shepherd, Jesus, knows your situation. He will come to save, heal, and provide for all your needs. He will lead you beside still waters to refresh your body, mind, and soul.

           

           

 

           

             

           

 

             

 

             

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[1] Haddon W. Robinson, Trusting the Shepherd: Insights from Psalm 23, Pages 10-11

[2] Haddon W. Robinson, Trusting the Shepherd: Insights from Psalm 23, Page 43-44

Five Ways The Good Shepherd Cares # Part I

                                            FIVE WAYS THE GOOD SHEPHERD CARES

PART I:  Psalm 23:1-2a

 

This past week, we have come through one of the most historic elections in years. The party whose candidate won celebrates with joy whenever elections are over, and the party that loses is upset, worried, and even angered. After the elections, I attended two clergy groups, and the mood in those groups was vastly different. One group was proud and joyful, and the other was fearful and uncertain. If you are joyful over the victory, don't be overconfident. If you are afraid and uncertain about the future, don't lose heart.

No matter the outcome of the elections, no one person or group can bring about the change you are looking for and offer a better future and trouble-free life. Where can we find hope and rest during challenging times? In moments of uncertainty, our faith becomes our anchor, providing us with the strength and reassurance we need to navigate through life's storms.

During my doctoral studies, I learned a few things about shepherding and the beautiful relationship between the Shepherd and his sheep. When a sheep learns to trust the Shepherd, stays closer to him, and follows his lead, it will remain safe and secure. When it rebels against the Shepherd and wanders away seeking freedom, it can be attacked and even get killed. In Psalm 23, we find five ways The Good Shepherd Cares, and we will look at one of them.

From the Sheep Pen To The King's Palace

What do we know about David, the author of Psalm 23? David was the youngest of seven sons of Jesse. He was glowing with health, had a fine appearance, and was handsome when the prophet Samuel spotted him (I Sam 16:12). As the youngest of the family; he was assigned to take care of the family sheep while his brothers fought in Saul's army. As a shepherd boy, he was faithful in tending to the sheep. He fought against a lion and a bear with bare hands and rescued his sheep. He learned to rely on his simple yet effective tools to care for his sheep.

Despite his older brother Eliab's angry rebuke, David volunteers to join Saul's army in God's providence. After killing Goliath with a sling and stone, Saul keeps David with him in the palace. David was successful on whatever mission he was sent, so Saul gave him a high rank in the army, and eventually, his daughter Michal in marriage, who was in love with David.

David wrote Psalm 23 while he was fleeing from Saul. He had been wandering from place to place, in exile from his own people, and constantly living among strangers, even enemies. His life was continually being threatened. This Psalm is a testimony of David's confidence in the Lord's care for him in every moment of his life, even unto his death.

The rich imagery in this Psalm shows how David secured himself by thinking of his younger days as a shepherd who totally cared for his sheep and in whom his sheep had complete trust. What a comforting thought for him to see the Lord as his Shepherd. David saw himself not as a shepherd but as a fearful, hungry, and vulnerable sheep who needed the care of a Good Shepherd. Let us also see ourselves as sheep desperately needing the Good Shepherd's care. Here is one way in which the God Shepherd cares for his flock.

 

I. The Good Shepherd Feeds His Sheep (Vs. 1-2a)

            Vs. 1-2a: "The Lord is my Shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures." This Psalm begins with "The LORD." Who is this, Lord? What is His character? David was referring to Jehovah, the Lord God of Israel. His statement was confirmed by Jesus Christ when he declared emphatically, "I am the good Shepherd."

            By calling the Lord my Shepherd, David saw God as His Lord and a Shepherd with abundant resources to care for him in times of trouble. Similarly, when we make Jesus the Lord of our lives, He will care for us. David uses this vivid imagery of a sheep lying down in green pastures. When does a sheep lie down in green pastures?

            Philip Keller, a shepherd himself, notes in his book The Shepherd Trilogy, "The strange thing about sheep is that because of their very make-up, it is almost impossible for them to be made to lie down unless four requirements are met. Owing to their timidity, they refuse to lie down unless they are free of all fear, free from friction from other sheep, free from parasites, and must be free from hunger."[1]

            Only a good shepherd can provide such a safe and peaceful environment for his sheep to rest. It is no accident that God has chosen to call us sheep. "We all, like sheep, have gone astray; each of us has turned to our own way. Isaiah 53:6. Jesus used the same sheep analogy in Matthew 9:36, "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd."

            The behavior of sheep and human beings is similar in many ways. Our mass mind (or mob instincts), fears, timidity, stubbornness, stupidity, and rebellion are all similar to sheep's nature. For instance, what are the two biggest fears that drove millions of Americans to choose the kind of leader they chose in recent elections? Fear of the crumbling economy and lack of safety from the enemies within and without. These two fears keep people awake at night.

            The elected leaders may address these fears temporarily, but ultimately, we must look to our Good Shepherd to care for us. If you fear how to put food on the table, fear not. Jehovah God cared for over 600,000 people with food and clothing daily for forty years in the wilderness. Jesus, our Good Shepherd, turned small portions of bread and fish several times and fed thousands of people. If God could do that then, he can do that now. An early 20^th-century researcher found that Bedouin tribes in the Sinai knew the attributes of over one hundred plants.[2]

            A good shepherd who cares for his sheep knows which plants are helpful and which are harmful. For that reason, he takes them to green pastures. Besides providing food for our physical bodies, Jesus the Good Shepherd is also concerned about nourishing our souls. In the wilderness, God humbled Isreal for 40 years, feeding them when they were hungry and providing Manna from heaven to teach them that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Deut 8:3.

            When Jesus called Peter to feed my sheep, he called Peter to express his love for him by providing spiritual food. The connection between caring for people as sheep and nourishing them with God's word is visible in the story of the feeding of the five thousand. Before he fed them physically, he taught them many things. Mark 6:34.

            Our divine Shepherd, Jesus, fed people physically and spiritually. He referred to himself as bread from heaven in John 6:33-35. "For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." "Sir," they said, "always give us this bread." Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." What does this mean to us today?

            In this world, we may face many uncertainties and troubles. We may be genuinely afraid of a depleting economy and a lack of security and protection. Who do we turn to during such situations? We turn not to our elected officials but to our divine leader, the Good Shepherd.

            You may have heard this teaching about Jesus being our Good Shepherd, but have you made him your Lord? This means surrendering your whole life to the Lord; trust Him with your life so that he will take care of your life no matter what happens. Making Jesus Lord of your life means giving up your rebellious ways and following him closely. Then we can say, "The Lord is my Shepherd, and I shall not want him. He makes me lie down in green pastures."

             

 

 

 

 

 

 

           

             

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[1] Philip Keller, The Shepherd Trilogy, Page 29

[2] Timothy S, Laniak, “While Shepherds Watch Their Flocks, page 55

 

Pray For The Persecuted Christians

                                      PRAY FOR THE PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS

Hold your Bible up High! If you are converted from Islam to Christianity and hold a Bible, you might be imprisoned and tortured in Iran. In 52 countries, the Bible is illegal to have, and Christians are severely persecuted. [1] Look around the beautiful sanctuary where we gather to worship freely and without threat. Have you considered the cost of following Christ?

A German Lutheran pastor, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, wrote in 1937: "When Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die." How could he have known that he would be hanged in a Nazi concentration camp? His only crime, he was a Christian. The persecution of Christians around the World is more severe than ever. The 20^th century saw more martyrs than in the previous 19 centuries combined. Here is how widespread the persecution of Christians has been.

·       In Sudan, Christians are enslaved. In Iran, they are assassinated. In Cuba, they are imprisoned. In China and India, they are persecuted and even beaten to death.

·       In more than 60 countries worldwide, Christians are harassed, abused, arrested, tortured, or executed. Their only crime is that they follow Christ.

·       It is estimated that every 5 minutes, a Christian is killed for their faith.

·       An average of 105,000 believers are killed each year for simply being Christian.

·       That means in the past ten years, we've seen more than 1 million martyrs.[2]

These are not just rumors; they are our brothers and sisters in the Lord. Jesus himself reminded His followers of the cost of following Him. If the World hates you, remember that it hated me first… Remember what I told you: A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also." John 15:8-20.

Jesus told his disciples,  “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this World, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the World.” John 16:33. Today is the International Day Of Prayer for the Persecuted Christians, and we will join our voices with those who are Praying for the Persecuted Christians around the World.

I. The Blood of the Martyrs is the Seed of the Church!

Tertullian, one of the 2nd-century ecclesiastical writers, wrote, "The blood of martyrs is the seed of the Church," implying that a martyr's willing sacrifice of their lives leads to the conversion of others.[3] The underlying message of this famous quote is that the Church grew whenever there was intense persecution against Christians. This was the case in the early Church, which is still true in the 21^st century. Let's see how the early Church grew under persecution.

Before Jesus ascended to heaven, He met with his faithful disciples one last time and said, "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8).

According to the promise, a group of 120 disciples kept meeting, praying, and waiting for the arrival of the Holy Spirit. As promised, the Holy Spirit fell on this group of 120 disciples. With the bold witnessing of the Apostle Peter, the Holy Spirit convicted 3000 people who joined the Church, which grew to 5000. They kept meeting in homes and assembling at the synagogue. Their faith practice and witnessing were limited to Jerusalem, the temple town.

God's plan for the early Church was Acts 1:8, which was to be witnesses not only in Jerusalem but also in all Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Contrary to God's plan, the early Church had a good time of learning, worshipping, and fellowshipping in Jerusalem only.

They failed God's command in Acts 1:8. That failure resulted in great persecution of the Church in Acts 8:1, "On that day a great persecution broke out against the Church in Jerusalem, and all except the Apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria… "Those who had been scattered preached the Word wherever they went." The Gospel was spreading everywhere.

            The seed of the Church kept growing by the blood of the Martyrs. Those scattered by the persecution traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch. At Antioch, the disciples were called Christians for the first time. In Acts 12:1-18, we read about Peter's Miraculous Escape from Prison. Let's see how it all unfolded. King Herod arrested some who belonged to the Church, intending to persecute them. He had James, the brother of John, put to death.

When he saw that act met with approval among the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter, also. After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover.

What was the Church doing in the meantime? The Church began to pray to God on behalf of Peter. As a result of the Church's earnest Prayers, God sent an angel to free Peter from imprisonment. Once freed from the prison, Peter returned to the house of Mary, the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people gathered and prayed. After briefly rejoining the brothers and sisters, Peter left for another place. What can we learn from this story?

II. Pray For The Persecuted Christians.

We can learn from this story how God intervenes when the Church prays earnestly. The early Christians taught us to pray as they modeled their Lord Jesus Christ, the Great Intercessor. Knowing his time on earth was ending, Jesus offered this prayer on behalf of His disciples, who were to remain and carry His word throughout the World.  ^"I will remain in the World no longer, but they are still in the World, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name..While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. "I am coming to you now...I have given them your word, and the World has hated them, for they are not of the World any more than I am of the World. My prayer is not that you take them out of the World but that you protect them from the evil one." John 17: 11-19.

While remaining at the Father's right hand in heaven, He is still interceding for His brothers and sisters, His Church (Romans 8:34). Jesus modeled prayer for the persecuted followers so we, too, can pray. Let us pray scriptures over the Persecuted Christians. These were shared with the Open Door Ministries by those who were persecuted in various places.

Psalm 91:4, “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”  “This was my scripture when my husband was imprisoned for his faith. I had great faith in the Lord to keep him safe. I was confident he would be fine because he had God in his life. I believe in God’s promise.” —Bouapha, Laos.

Matthew 7:7: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” “We like this verse because it reminds us that when we pray, our needs are fulfilled by God. We had to leave our house with nothing but the clothes on our backs because of our faith. We always prayed, claiming this verse. Gradually, God made provisions for us through His people. We have income sources now.” Chendo and Kamala, Nepal.
  

Romans 8:38-39: “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

 “I had to move from more than three villages because villagers and anti-Christians opposed me. I faced false accusations and have been imprisoned and interrogated. Yet wherever I went, I never stopped serving the Lord. I was able to gather people and pray. These verses always remind me that nothing can separate me from God's love; God’s love empowers me to face trials and opposition. With my family, I will continue to serve the Lord all the days of my life.” —Shekhar*, northern India.

 

For those of us living in relative peace and comfort, the least we can do for our persecuted brothers and sisters is to uphold them in prayer and support them where we can. I encourage you to support ministries such as Open Doors and The Voice of the Martyrs.

Read books such as Tortured For Christ: The Story of Richard Wurmbrand. If I Die, by Vernon Brewer. Let’s be informed about the plight of our persecuted brothers and sisters and support them in prayer. After watching this six-minute video of the Martinez family ministering to the Cartels in Columbia, we will pray for the persecuted Christians in the World. As you go home, please take a Prayer Guide and continue to Pray for the Persecuted Christians. Amen!

 

 

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[1] https://lovepackages.org/bibles-dangerous-illegal-covert/

[2] Vernon Brewer, If I Die, Page 14,15

[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_martyr#:~:text=Tertullian%2C%20one%20of%20the%202nd,to%20the%20conversion%20of%20others.