Trusting in God

MEMORY SELECTION: “The Lord is my light and salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of life; of whom shall I be afraid?” —Psalm 27:1

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: Psalm 23

THE beautiful 23rd Psalm is one of the most familiar passages in the Bible. It has, as well, been a source of comfort and courage to all who have put their trust in God down through the ages. David, who was the author, was a shepherd and therefore was intimately acquainted with the life of a shepherd and also, of course, with the unusual traits of the sheep.

The first verse states, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” There is here a recognition of the love and power and wisdom of God. The statement reflects the willingness of the individual to trust and to be completely submissive under God’s care, trusting that no experience or temptation will be permitted unless it be for one’s eternal welfare. (I Cor. 10:13; Rom. 8:31) This reflects the attitude of the sheep of the fold toward the shepherd. They seem to realize that the shepherd will provide for their every need and protect them from all harm.

In verse 2 David states, “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.” The shepherd, in caring for his sheep, searches out the lush pasturage where their need for food is more than supplied and they can rest. And so with us who have accepted the Lord as our Shepherd: he has provided abundantly for all our spiritual needs so that we are able to rest from our own works and enter into God’s rest if we will.—Heb. 4:9,10

The phrase “beside the still waters” is spoken of in another translation as “waters by resting places.” In God’s Word water is a symbol of truth. Turbulent water would seem to picture conflict and disarray, while on the other hand, still waters, or waters by resting places, would seem to picture truth as provided through enlightenment of the mind of those who are truly resting in the Lord.

In verse 3 the psalmist says, “He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” The sheep, when they have eaten and drunk their fill and rested by the still waters, are revived. And so with us when we have been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and the Word of God: we are revived, our soul is restored, we are given a living hope.

The shepherd leads the sheep from one feeding ground to another, sometimes over tortuous, rocky, and narrow paths. But his leading is sure and dependable. The paths of righteousness to us are straight paths that lead to glory. The Heavenly Father will guide us and correct us; and if we will be sheeplike, he will lead us to glory. Our Lord said, “Straight is the gate, and narrow is the way, and few there be that find it.”

The 4th verse of the psalm reads, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” As the shepherd leads the flock through places of danger, using his rod as a weapon of offense and his staff as the instrument of guidance, and brings his sheep to safety, so does the Heavenly Father guide and protect his people.

The Apostle Peter warns of the difficulties of the narrow way, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the Devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.”—I Pet. 5:8-10

Verses 5 and 6 of the psalm read: “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely [only] goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

In these verses we have the concluding thoughts of the psalm. The good shepherd has brought his flock to their final haven of rest. The table, we believe, represents all of the benefits and blessings provided by the Lord; and we are the recipients of these blessings even in spite of, and while in, the presence of our enemies. The anointing, we believe, is a picture of sonship; then follows the blessing of peace that results from this relationship with God.

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