The Devotional Period

White Ribbon, Volume 31, Issue 3, 1 July 1959, Page 3

The Devotional Period

WJt Hymial, No. 118. Sciptura Reading: Psalm 23. Do.tiinion Convention Devotions '.<*ken at ChriMchurch b> Mr* K*tt < i Kaikorai, Dunedin.

We art very apt lo think of David writing this Psalm U ■{ youth, but it is quite possible that it was written In latei life, for there is a fulness of experience about it, a tone of quiet, subdued confidence, a faith made sober and sure by many trials. This Plata MM as it were, between the Cross and the Crown. The 22nd Psalm reveals the Lord as the good Shepherd giving His life for the sheep, while the 24th speaks of the Lord as the Chief Shepherd, leading His sheep homo Let us consider it briefly thus : 1. Pimiibn The Lord is MY SHEPHERD There is no "if", no "I hope so", but a clear claim that He IS We all know the difference between knowing aboit a thing and possessing a thing, such •M knowing a house or being able to say, "My house" We nay know much about a child but to be able to .ay, "My child" is a different thing altogether, so that from this Psalm we learn Of ll care, a care that we all mav potSCSI if we can claim Hint as OUR Shepherd

2 Provision : "I shall not want" Not because of money or property or business or profession and not because o' wisdom or skill to supply my wants Others may be richer or stronger or wiser, but 1 shall not wait because God, my God, hath bread enough and U, spare for body and soul, so we no longer lack, be:ause all things are provided for us 3, Position: "He maketh me to lie dewn in green What are these green pastures, but God'l Word, which is alw.. h, ever rich and never exhausted? When, by faith, we follow into tiii green pastures, are we not like sheep that have peace and prosinder. rest, refreshment, lecnrit) and satisfaction : 4. Progress: "He leadeth me Al in the Last, the Shepherd always precedes his sheep to find the belt JM stures >o the Lord ever keeps in front of His sheep to lead us into better and to richer fields.

5. Preservation: "He lesiureth my >oul." When ire sorrowful, He revives us; when weak, He strengthens us, when sinful, He cleanses us, when tray. He Meld 10 re>t<>re U from danger to safety, from misery to joy and from death to life

6 Presence: "Thou art with me" When we are in green pastures and all is prosperous with us and ours, we speak of Hnn as our Shepherd, but when danger threatens, the sky darkens, we hasten to His side and speak to Him as My Shepherd, ue have no more loneKncu and no falling beneath burdens

7. Plenty: "M> cup rut neth over." God is not mean in His giving, nor does He measure out His -ings drop by drop. God'< bounty and His goodness to us always overflow X. Prospect: "Surely goodnm and mercy." It is not goodness alone, tor as sinners we need forgiveness; not mercy alone, for as children, we need many things besides forgiveness. So goodness and mercy, like twin guardian angeis come forth from

God to minister to us and to escort us all our way Let us take this Psalm, this gospel in miniature, in this study and catch its spirit, follow its leading and we shall be able to look back upon the past with gratitude to God and to the future with sweet confidence and the assurance of dwelling with our Lord forever

Preyer : Onr Heaven!) lather, we thank Thee for the privilege of fellowship with Thee, for the victory ot faith and the power of prayer May we be ever conscious of the many blessings that enrich our lives. We know "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee". Help us, therefore, to put our whole trust in Thee and to abide in Thy love that Thy peace may ever dwell m air hearts. Be with us in our Unions and in all our work for Thee day by day Guide our Off.cers and may we seek to glorify Thy name in everything we do and every step we take. In the Name of Jesus Christ our Saviour and Lord we come to Thee Amen