27 Apr 2009 02:53 AM An Odyssey in the Psalms: Ps23 (Conclusion)A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.
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.
During our earthly pilgrimage, sooner or later we must cross this valley where joy seems to have disappeared.
Perhaps right now you are compelled to be there because you yourself or one of your loved ones has received some terrible news: an incurable illness has been diagnosed, a financial loss is inevitable, the loss of your job is confirmed by your employer, your partner abandons you.
All your great plans are wiped out. All that remains is a grey veil of sadness that covers up what is dear to you. Even the most beautiful summer sunshine doesn’t shine as brightly.
Without warning, you find yourself in this valley. Stunned by the news, a cry of anguish rises up in your soul. Faltering, you trip on the dead branches, your hope shattered.
Your heart is beating wildly. You must face a battle in which the outcome will be ruinous for you or one of your loved ones. The loss, whatever it is, will be sorrowful. The enemy of your soul seems to have the upper hand. With his cold hands, he is trying to snuff out your faith in God. He is chasing you into a trench where the mire of despair clings to your skin.
Nevertheless, like David, take hold of the rod and the staff of your Shepherd. He will get you out of this catastrophe. If He did it for David, He will do it for you as well.
Jesus, despite this terrible test, will lead you into moments of extraordinary peace.
In spite of these terrible times you’re going through, strength will come from your God. His consolation will fill your heart. His joy will sprout anew there, both for those who remain and for those who must depart because of an irreversible situation. It is our privilege as heirs of His Kingdom.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over.
If a conflict situation bursts forth, God calls us to be seated at a table prepared specially by Him, in front of our adversaries.
What will we find on this table?
His Word to guide us, encourage us, His anointing oil that covers our souls, our thoughts, in order that they be conformed to His will.
Despite the hatred demonstrated, the wounding words received, our cup will overflow with this joy that comes from an intimate relationship with our Redeemer, built day by day.
Surely, goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
This Psalm ends on a certitude: happiness and grace can accompany us all the days of our lives.
This isn’t a utopia. It’s a reality, a promise to claim.
We must not let any circumstances rob us of this promised grace and goodness.
We cannot control the dramas that can befall our lives. They often come upon us, looking like an army of soldiers, laden with afflictions, seeking to tear down the fortress of our faith in God.
But if we have taken the time, day by day, to build a profound and intimate relationship with our God, He will dig a deep trench in which will freely flow the living waters of His love and His grace, which we may freely drink in order to be restored. This moat, full of mercy, will thus become an impregnable bulwark.
Despite this terrible attack, we will have strength to resist.
Finally, since the Spirit of God has made our soul His temple, we have the privilege, at any hour of day or night, to come into the Presence of the Everlasting.
David had to walk and go into the temple to have the great fortune to share a special moment with his God. We, through Jesus Christ, can instantly enter into this spiritual sanctuary, which is not made with human hands, freely access the throne room of grace, and commune with our God.
Our home, if we desire it, can become the house of the Everlasting !
Isn’t this marvellous?
David hoped to live all his days in the house of the Lord. Because of the work of Jesus Christ, we have this privilege, today; to make our lodging the house of the Lord to such a point that Jesus himself said that He and His Father will come live with us.
Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.» John 14 :23
Realize the power of this extraordinary promise! God the Creator of the universe and our Redeemer Jesus Christ desire to live in each of our homes! Isn’t that fantastic?
Only one condition is imposed: Love the Word of God and keep it!
If we live according to the fullness of this promise, marvellous things will manifest themselves. Chains will fall, lives will be restored, and salvation would spread out in a flash throughout the country.
The enemy loves to hide these marvellous promises of our God. He does everything in his power to make us quickly forget them.
I wish that everyone who reads these lines would take the time to meditate on this promise, make the necessary corrections in their lives, with the goal that this promise come alive within their families, that the unbelievers of this age may see the Glory of the Living God, freely manifested in every home of the adventurers of the Psalms.
This would be a good beginning of an awakening, wouldn’t it?
Since acquiring our salvation, have we continued to be sensitive to this continual Presence of the Father and the Son in our homes?
Do they still have their place with us?
Have they had to shrink into a corner of our living room because they no longer feel welcome among our family, or do they still have the place of honour, happy to share with us the graces in store for our family?
Let’s be determined to make our home the house of the Lord! We will never be disappointed in Him!
Prayer:
«My God of love, today, as I have just finished these lines, I want to renew my relationship with You.
By Your grace and mercy, make my home a temple where You would have complete freedom to act.
Come take the first place with us, if by the folly of my judgment, by poor life choices, I’ve neglected my relationship with You.
I want to keep Your Word active in my life, for it is what gives me the freedom to serve You. With all my love, God of glory, with thanksgiving, Jesus my King, I welcome you again into my family.
Take the king’s place, You are deserving of it! Amen! »
May Jesus the King of glory bless our homes by His marvellous presence !
Jacques Brouillard Send this to a friend David, valley of the shadow of death
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