Readings for today: Psalms 23-24, Acts 20:1-16
I love Psalm 23. It’s always been one of my favorite passages of Scriptures. It was one of the first I memorized and I find myself coming back to it over and over again when I am anxious or afraid. The words are deeply comforting. This is true not just for me. I cannot tell you the number of people who turn to these verses when they are hurting or in pain or grieving the loss of a loved ones. There’s a reason it’s a favorite at funerals even for those who have only a casual relationship with the church. There’s just something about it that speaks to the deepest places of our souls.
Several years ago, I had the privilege of spending time with the widow of one of my mentors. A man by the name of Bud Sparling. Bud and Carol were some of the most amazing people I have ever met. Their love for Jesus and for each other was legendary. They dedicated their lives to serving the Lord and His people. They traveled the world bringing encouragement and hope to missionaries. They served the church I currently pastor with great faithfulness and devotion. One day I got a call from Carol. She had a terminal illness and asked me to come by to discuss her funeral arrangements. I was happy to go and spend such precious, sacred time with her. As we talked, she told me about a recent dream God had given her. In her dream, she saw her husband Bud lying, eyes closed, smile on his face, in a lush, green meadow. Beside him ran a small river filled with the clearest water you could ever see. The sky was a deep, divine blue. As she walked towards him, Bud opened his eyes and said, “Honey, it’s better than we ever imagined.” Then he patted the grass next to him and said, “There’s plenty of room for the both of us.” Tears come to my eyes even now as I think about Carol sharing this dream with me. It was a precious gift.
This is the picture I have in my mind when I think of heaven. Lush mountain meadows. Clear mountain streams. Not a cloud in the sky. Plenty of room for all those who follow the Good Shepherd. Plenty of room for all those who hear and know His voice. But life this side of heaven is lived in the valley of the shadow. Here we are constantly haunted by the specter of death. Fear and anxiety threaten us on every side. The only hope we have is that the Good Shepherd never leaves our side. He walks with us in the valley of the shadow of death just as he once walked with us in the cool of the day in the Garden of Eden. He is always with us. His rod and staff are there to comfort us and protect us. He prepares a feast for us in the presence of our enemies. A feast of victory. A feast of celebration for death and evil and sin have been overcome! It’s a feast honoring the Good Shepherd who lays His life down for His sheep.
Friends, the key to walking this road is to keep our eyes on the Good Shepherd. Don’t lose sight of Him! Don’t let the noise of this world drown out His voice! Don’t give His enemy a foothold! If you take your eyes off the Good Shepherd, you will find yourself jumping at every shadow. You’ll find yourself trembling at every strange sound. You’ll look for enemies around every corner. The devil under every rock. Don’t let fear, anxiety, doubts, insecurities, or a sense of scarcity rob you of the hope and confidence you have in Christ! These things are real to be sure but don’t give them more power than they deserve! It is Christ who has won the victory! It is Christ who secures your place in His eternal Kingdom! It is Christ who prepares a place for you even now in His eternal home! It is Christ who offers you goodness and mercy all the days of your life! Christ does all these things and more for those He calls His own. Place your trust in Him today!
Readings for tomorrow: Psalms 25-27, Acts 20:17-38