Dan Eakin/Baptist minister
Someone said there are more than 7,000 promises in the Bible and the Lord has kept every one of them but one. That promise yet to be kept is, “If I go, I will come again.”
II Peter 1:4: “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises, that by these ye may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”
The 23rd Psalm is probably the best known passage in the Old Testament and, of course, John 3:16 is the best known in the New Testament.
Before there were so many different versions of the Bible, a few decades ago, most active church members could quote the 23rd Psalm, or at least a part of it.
Looking at that precious scripture through a microscope, we see that it speaks to several of the promises of God.
Psalm 23:1a: The Lord is my Shepherd. This speaks to the promise of the Lord’s affection. David was a shepherd boy and he knew of the closeness between the shepherd and the sheep. Jesus, in the Good Shepherd chapter in John 10, said, “He calleth his own sheep by name….”Most sheep look a lot alike. But a good shepherd can tell them apart. The Lord knows our names. He knows us and loves us.
Psalm 23:1b: “I shall not want.” This speaks to the promise of the Lord’s provision. “I shall not be needy.” Philippians 4:19: “But my God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
The sheep needed green pastures and still, or quiet waters.
We should remember that the promises of God are reserved for his obedient children. We cannot wallow in the cesspools of sin and expect to claim all of the promises of God. The promises are reserved for those who seek first the kingdom of God. Matthew 6:33. David said, “I have been young, and now am old. Yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken nor his seed begging bread.” When we live in a right relationship with God, we can claim his promises.
Psalm 23:2b, Psalm 23:3: He leadeth me beside the still waters, he restoreth my soul. He leadeth me in paths of righteousness for his name sake.” This passage speaks to the promise of the Lord’s direction. That he promises to lead us, to direct us. Proverbs 3:5,6: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct that paths.”
Someone said, the big question is not, will the Lord lead us? The big question is, will we follow?
Psalm 23:4,5: “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. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies. My cup runneth over.” This speaks to the promise of the Lord’s protection. Psalm 91:1 says, “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most high shall abide under the shadow of the almighty. That chapter goes on to tell us, There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling….” The secret is to dwell in the secret place of the Almighty. That must mean we must abide in the center of God’s will. “When we walk with the Lord in the light of His love, what a glory he sheds on our way. While we do his good will, he abides with us still, and with all who will trust and obey.”
Psalm 23:6: “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 verse speaks of the promise of Salvation. When David spoke of dwelling in th house of the Lord forever, he must have been speaking of that eternal home. Jesus said, in John 142: In my father’s house are many mansions…I go and prepare a place for you.”
Of course, the promise of salvation is reserved for those who accept Jesus Christ, the Son of God, as their Lord and Savior. Someone said, “Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people.” The way to prepare for Heaven is to lay the foundation, Jesus Christ, and then build that foundation gold, silver and precious stones. Read I Corinthians 3:11-15.