Not far from the city of Guelph, in the valley of the Eramosa River, nestles a neat little hamlet of rough hewn houses. By Ontario standards, this pretty little place is quite old. Although there is no need for me to do so, I occasionally drive through this sleepy place on my way to or from our local major highway.

Who were the first settlers? What was their life like? What were their aspirations and hopes, joys and sorrows? To try to find an answer to these and other intriguing questions, I decided one day, a few summers ago, to explore the necropolis that surrounds the hamlet's only church. I found that the mortal remains of several generations of Presbyterians lie awaiting the resurrection morning beneath the cold clay. Well kept tomb stones declare their names, and in some cases their faith in the Saviour of sinners. A few of the head stones record something of their long forgotten lives and exploits.

One old block of granite records that the two interred beneath were born in the north of Ireland in the last century, married there and emigrated to this part of the world. Underneath the descriptive words, a verse of Scripture is quoted:

As I read this inscription a lump seemed to form in my throat and a wee tear appeared in the corner of my eye.

Probably I shall never know this side of eternity what this couple suffered. The heartaches they felt, the broken dreams, sadness, pain or penury they endured as they struggled on in a new land are now veiled in history. The vicissitudes experienced in a harsh environment are not etched in the dark grave stone. The words "came out of great tribulation" can only point back to excessive trial and hardship; to dark days and desperation.

When the Psalmist said: "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death" (Psalm 23:4), he must have had some awful tribulation in mind. Days of dark despair and drowning disappointment had been his lot.

The old Jewish Targum interprets Psalm 23:4 to be a prophetic reference to the horrors of the Jewish captivity in Babylon, while Aben Ezra says it speaks of grievous calamities.

John Gill, in his commentary, explains it this way: "Afflictions attend the people of God in this life; there is a continued series of them, so that they may be said to walk in them; these are the way in which they walk to heaven, and through which they enter the kingdom; for though they continue long, and one affliction comes after another, yet there will be an end at last; they will walk and wade through them, and come out of great tribulations."

Perhaps you, my friend, are experiencing great tribulation. Do you see yourself as captive to circumstances? Do you know what it is to suffer deep affliction? Do you feel deserted and alone? Does trouble come upon trouble like the rolling of mighty waves at high tide against a storm tossed ship, near a rocky shore. Then the rest of this verse is meant for you if you are one of the sheep of the Lord's flock:

If we know the Good Shepherd; the one who gave His life for the sheep, we need not fear the evils of time and circumstance. He is Sovereign in all His ways. He knows our every need. He has experienced while walking as a Man among men the heartache, sorrow and trials common to humankind. If we understand His Sovereign power as God Eternal, and His sympathy as our High Priest, we will be enabled to declare with King Solomon, "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe." (Proverbs 18:10 NKJV).

There is an old much loved hymn based on Psalm 31:15:

My Times Are in Thy Hand
(Click to hear music)
 
 
Author:  William F. Lloyd, 1791-1853
Musician:  Joan J. Pinkston, b. 1947

Yes, He is with us all the way, not only in the coveted "Mountain top experiences" but also in the dark and dismal valleys of despair and death.

Our dear Shepherd is always armed with two implements: "His rod and His staff". In old times the rod was used to defend the flock from wild animals and thieves, and one day He will use that rod on the enemies of truth and Zion's King will be seen to reign in righteousness. We who are His elect own His royal rule in time. In eternity His Kingship and glory will also be manifested to those who hate Him. They, too, will recognize Him but, oh, too late! Even now He uses the rod to defend His believing people from dangers both seen and uncomprehended.

The second implement He carries is the staff, the purpose of which was to direct the sheep. Sometimes the sheep would rather go their own way but have to be forced to travel in paths that lead them safely home. Their path of choice would lead to places of danger and ruin, but the path of the shepherd's choosing leads to the peace and security of green pastures and the still waters.

Well may we with David pray, "Uphold my steps in Your paths, That my footsteps may not slip." (Psalm 17:5 NKJV).

Let's retrace our steps to the old grave yard and take one more look at the stone which held our attention. Let's read the last part of the inscription once more "and have washed their robes and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb". Only those on the pilgrimage of life who have washed their robes in the blood of Calvary's Lamb will come safely through. None of those who are "blood washed" will ever perish. That is why they can say "I will fear no evil".

Have you been to Calvary's fountain and have you by faith been cleansed of your sin? If the answer is "Yes", then you have the Royal right to appropriate the words of Psalm 23:4 "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. If you are His by sovereign grace, then God, the Holy Spirit inspired the Psalmist to write these words for your blessing, reassurance and comfort.

Some years ago, I was hiking alone in England. The trail (or as the English say, the "footpath")—was isolated and very poorly marked. This is a rare situation in England, known to hikers as the land of well marked trails. At one point, as I later discovered, only a couple of miles from the end, I became disoriented. I was tired and lonely and hungry. There seemed to be no other humans for miles. What should I do now? I longed to meet another hiker, or a local resident; even a friendly dog would have been a relief. No one suddenly or miraculously appeared. No laughing border collie wagged its welcoming tail.

What would you have done in similar circumstances? Well, I found a comfortable rock, slipped off my rucksack and sat down. Then I ate the lunch I should have eaten about two hours earlier and drank a half of a liter of water. My energy returned. Using my map and compass, I figured out my location and with a spring in my step, walked to the bus stop in the little town that marked the end of my hike.

As we move on to verse three of Psalm 23 and meditate upon it, we see the wonderful promises it contains for life's journey. "He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake" (Psalm 23:3) The words are overflowing with comfort and encouragement for all the members of the Good Shepherd's flock. No believer is left out and it is applied on an individual basis. The lovely truths of this psalm are not mere generalities. We do not read: "He restores our souls" Such a statement would be welcome encouragement for God's people, but how grandly greater is the assurance "He restores my soul". He cares about me! He loves the world but, praise His name He loves me. Yes, my friend, if you are His you can personally claim this blessing of restoration, no matter how withered and drooping you feel.

Day by day we all move along, sometimes reluctantly on the journey of life. At times our happy feet march to the triumphant music of success. At other times we drag ourselves weary and worn, and perhaps even broken along the ruggedly steep paths of life—over rocks and ridges and along precipices dangerous and frightful. This lies in the nature of being human. Sometimes we have cheerful and supportive companions on this great trail of life. These may include a spouse, family, friends or fellow Christians. But at times we plod on not only tired but seemingly alone and perhaps unwanted. The way seems miserable, the going is rough and the shadows are lengthening.

When the traveling is wearisome and lonely, and our minds are stretched, elastic like, to their limits the awful ghosts of past sins and desires are inclined to haunt us. Regrets dart from the dark recesses of the mind and mingle with the cares of today and the fears of tomorrow. Like a delicate flower on a dry and windswept hillside we begin to wither, and the serene look gives place to frowns and wrinkles.

When our spiritual pilgrimage becomes unbearable, we need to take time out. We must take time to rest in God's presence. As the Bible enjoins us we must be "Be still and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10)

If we take time to rest in His presence we can refresh our spirits as we enjoy the sustenance of God's word and drink deeply at the "wells of Salvation". Then using the compass of God's truth, we can set our course towards home in the eternal City, just as our great spiritual forefather Abraham did. "By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God." (Hebrews 11:8-10).

If our own foolish misconduct, our own sin and rebellion is the root of our withered and miserable condition, restoration is, bless God, still available. "And who among us has not sinned over and over again in the years since first we trusted Christ? God calls us to confession and repentance and provides cleansing for the sinning hart. The gospel for the sinning saint is found in I John 1:6-9, "If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us, If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." And believing this we can humbly say amen to the words, "He restoreth my soul".

King David cried out to God in anguish of soul "Hide Your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways and sinners shall be converted to You." (Psalm 51:9-13).

God heard his heart rending wail "Hide thyself from my sins and blot out all my iniquities." God graciously restored David to fellowship with Himself and gave him back the joy of salvation.

David and every other repentant, sinning believer can claim with joy overflowing: "He restoreth my soul." Only the forgiven can appreciate the warmth of His tender love.

Perhaps one of my friends will confess in his or her own heart. "I have repented oh, so often; but I keep falling on the rocks of temptation and sliding on the slippery scree of evil desire. What can I do? I’ve tried to gain the mastery over a particular weakness and failed again and again. I think I am doomed—sin is in my very nature". Like David, you cry out "Behold I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me." (Psalm 51:5)

There is good news in the verse before us for those who are in such a predicament. Look at Psalm 23:3, "He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake."

God’s children have yearned over the centuries for power to break the binding habits of sin. The Lord Jesus taught His own disciples to pray, "Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil." Does God answer this prayer? Yes, if we obey His command in Jeremiah 6:16, "Thus says the Lord: 'Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is. And walk in it: Then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it'."

We are to ask after the old way, and upon finding it we are to walk therein. Many professing Christians, like Jeremiah’s hearers, sadly refuse to walk in the old paths; they are doomed to keep on repeating the same old sins, and living the same old life of spiritual mediocrity. The path can be found where the Lord Jesus is. After the resurrection, two of His disciples made a journey to Emmaus. These two disciples don’t appear to have been any of the twelve apostles, and it seems probably that they were a married couple. In any case, they were sad and discouraged. Their hopes had been dashed—the one they thought would deliver their nation from the iron yoke of Roman bondage was dead and buried. There was something however, that they didn’t know about. Christ had risen from the dead in triumph over sin and the grave.

A marvelous thing happened as they trod the weary Emmaus Road that day. "So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them." (Luke 24:15) These two dear people didn’t recognize their beloved master until later but something should have tipped them off--the presence of the Man of Calvary made a great difference to their walk that day, "And they said to one another, 'Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?'." (Luke 24:32).

If we walk in His company and seek to know Him in the scriptures, our hearts too will burn within us. They will burn with love to Him and with a strong desire to obey His commandments. Then shall we understand in a spiritual sense the words of Isaiah 35:1, "The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them." And they shall walk in "the Way of Holiness" (Isaiah 35:8) and we will experience the promise of Psalm 23:3, "He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake".

Jack Scott loved his Lord! He passed away on January 10, 2001 after a lengthy illness.
He is missed greatly by his family.

Perhaps you can imagine the scene. In the far distance, the sun shines over the misty blue mountains. Below them lie the upland moors covered with deep rich purple heather and golden yellow gorse. Immediately in front of us, and just beyond the field gate on which you and I are leaning, is a beautiful verdant pasture.

The grass is lush and wild flowers grow in colorful array. If we stand quietly, we can hear above the soft rustle of the wind, the musical drone of the honey bees as they gather nectar from delicate blooms.

About five hundred yards away, the cool, clear waters of a river flow serenely and silently towards the distant sea.

A little flock of sheep, some with lambs, lie peacefully undisturbed near the river's edge. If we were to look at them through our binoculars, we would see them gently chewing their cud as they draw nourishment from the abundant provision of fresh food. They surely are the picture of contentment and tranquillity. This is something like the picture that Psalm 23 calls to my mind.

"He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters." (Psalm 23:2) Why are the sheep in our little scene so peaceful, so content, so unruffled as they enjoy the warmth of the afternoon sun?

I think my shepherd friend, Johnny Crawford, would tell us that a flock such as we have described are free from fear, have enough to eat and are not plagued with parasites. If we remove any one of these conditions the sheep will not be at peace.

Has not God given us a lovely picture in Psalm 23 of the condition of His believing people? In Psalm 95:7, we read "For He is our God; and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand." Every good shepherd will care for his flock, removing the sheep from danger, providing medical treatment to prevent parasites and ensure sufficient food to keep them strong and healthy.

Our "Good Shepherd" has done so much more for His flock than the best of earthly shepherds. To start with He says to us in John 10:11, "I am the Good Shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep". He paid the ultimate price to purchase His flock and to deliver them from the fear of eternal death. "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" (Romans 8:32).

In Christ our shepherd we have all we need for eternity. When we realize that "I am His and He is mine", fears quickly diminish and should fade away. When the Shepherd is present the wolf will seek some other prey. We need not fear man or devil, even if they kill us we shall live with Him.

If we are aware of His divine presence we will find food abundant for our souls and our spirits will rejoice in the Bread of Life, for He feeds us with food sufficient for our requirements. This He does as we seek to feed on His word and to find Him there. We can, with the Shulamite maiden experience the bounty of His hand. Listen to her words, "He brought me into the banqueting house, and His banner over me was love." (Song of Solomon 2:4) My friends let us feat on the good things of His word as we bask in the sunshine of His love.

"He leadeth me beside the still waters." Sheep like human beings need more than food to live; both need water if they are to survive. In Revelation 21:6, we read, "And He said to me, 'It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts'."

What is the water of life? The Lord Jesus when speaking to the woman of Samaria told her of "living water" which if a person drank he or she would never thirst again. "But whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life." (John 4:14).

The Old Testament prophet Isaiah talks about that water in Isaiah 12:2,3 "Many people shall come and say, 'Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths." And the Lord Jesus Christ explains its meaning for us in John 7:37-39, "On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, 'If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.' But this He spoke concerning the Spirit whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified."

We see then that the water is the Holy Spirit whom we receive by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ the Great Shepherd. The Holy Spirit is needed to give life to those who are dead in sin. He is God's agent in the new birth as we are told in John 3:8 "The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit". And it is His presence that sustains eternal life in all those who come by faith to the Lord Jesus for Salvation. It is He who enables us to become true disciples of the one who loved us unto death; the good shepherd who gave His life for the sheep.

If you and I are truly united by faith to the great Shepherd we can enjoy peace greater and more beautiful than any earthly scene. No matter what our material blessings or lack of them we have a peace that passes all understanding, food that nourishes for eternity and water that quenches the thirst for satisfaction in a way the broken cisterns of earth cannot satisfy.

To know this Shepherd is to love Him, and to love Him is to know Him in a way that can only be experienced by His flock. We will close this part of our studies with His gracious invitation as it is found in Isaiah 55:1-3a "Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance. Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live."

Can you afford to reject this lovely overture of love and mercy? If you are one of His sheep, does not the knowledge of His love thrill your heart and cheer your spirit?