EXALTATION AND WORSHIP OF GOD

This page has been revived. The terror of allegedly violating copyright by posting videos from the web made it impossible to determine when one was infringing, so I dropped the page. The legal language has been sorted out, so we can come back here to worship our Lord and glean from godly men such things as are becoming to Christ and his exaltation. I trust this page helps you in worship of out Lord.

 

THE LIFE OF ONE MAN OF GOD

 

 

 

THE SHEEP'S PSALM

Psalms 23:1
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

In Bible study the Rule of First Mention applies well here. Jacob speaks- Genesis 49:24 But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel:) The word shepherd is used at the earliest to speak of the Egyptians as shepherds, but the above verse is the first mention of God as a Shepherd.

AND......... If you came in faith to Jesus Christ, you are not alone EVER: 1 Peter 2:25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

Though the most treacherous conspiracies rage in this world, and though we feel weak and helpless, the God of the universe is our personal Shepherd. Why do we tremble so? Read Gen. 49:24 again. Jacob says that essentially God's hands are on your hands. The strength available to you is enough for ANY occasion, and it is Almighty strength.

 

Psalms 23:2
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

Survivalists will tell you that there are three top priorities in times of crisis- Water, food, and security. Without these all other survival preparation is worthless, AND no one will be able to rest.

As to leading sheep, they do best with gentle guidance, not driving them harshly. The Hebrew word of "leadeth" is not talking about a stampede.

The Hebrew again speaks not of placid waters, as with a swamp or a stagnant pools-- these are literally waters of restfulness-- a cool shaded rippling brook.

Dad and Mom-- Does this describe your home? If not, when will you repent and model your parenting after the Chief Shepherd? Some of you are too busy trying to figure out how soon you can beat the sheep.

Does this describe your local church? If not, when will you get out of there and find the restful waters and safety of a strong and gentle under-shepherd?

 

Psalms 23:3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

The Hebrew word for "restoreth" is the same as the Hebrew word for "converteth." This is the converting of a saved Jew, not an unsaved Gentile.

We Bible believers need this "converting" by the Word of God, as in Psalms 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

Correction is a strong theme in this Psalm. It is often used in funeral homes and wicked places to give comfort, but the ungodly will NOT take correction-- will you?

"The paths of righteousness" are not passive paths. They "straight" and "narrow" paths in the exact same context of Christ's command Matthew 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. This means the sheep will not have the easiest path, but it will be the safe path.

If this was the path to Heaven, and Christ said, "Follow me," "for my name's sake," would you? The easy believeism of our modern 7/11 store Christianity is the wide smooth road the hell.

 

Psalms 23:4 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.

David is not speaking of his departure to heaven-- he is talking about the gloom and danger all of us sheep experience on our way through life. Israel is known for wide open spaces, often green and peaceful, but interrupted over and over by deep ravines in which wild animals lurked hoping to catch the unwary. David would have, as a young shepherd himself, have taken his sheep safely through such places. Our Lord can be trusted to see us through life's dark and deadly places also.

Fear no evil? Evil is all we have these days for a diet of conversation topics. Are we showing the frightened of this life that we fear no evil, or have we joined the panic party?

The rod is a weapon to defend the sheep, and the rod is the staff to guide sheep that wander off the path. There is NOTHING in either that speaks of hitting the bad sheep. This invention is made by pastors who like to beat sheep and want Jesus to be the example.

So, the theme in this verse is that danger is there, it is real, but it is all known and avoided for us by the Good Shepherd.

 

Psalms 23:5
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Verse 4 spoke of the valley of the shadow of death and protection passing through it. Now, we see that this Shepherd is able to even serve dinner to us while we literally sit with our enemies. Indeed, the enemy may well be induced to provide the dinner.

The story is told of the Arab Sheik whose son was killed by a man who was being careless. The Sheik swore to kill the man. The man arranged to secretly be invited to dinner at the Sheik's table, and after the meal, the targeted man revealed his real identity. The Sheik observed a custom in the Middle East to never harm anyone whom you invited to your table. The man was then safe. We are safe even when our enemy knows who we are, for our Shepherd is greater than our enemy.

The anointing with oil in olden times in Israel was a perfumed oil which was poured on the head of the guest where it remained during a feast. The fragrance remained through the evening. And, the cup runs over because the host is generous. Our Shepherd Savior is an abundant host to his sheep.

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

 

Psalms 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 for ever.

Goodness, in the very physical and earthy imagery of this Psalm, would be mainly life's needs for physical survival, and more. It speaks of abundance. We think then of Christ's words:

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Mercy then goes on to speak of the love of God, and the forgiving spirit of God, to his sheep. This in no way is meant to give comfort to any rebel sinner who thinks he can invoke the mercy of "the good Lord." Mercy here is for YOU, only if you have confessed Christ as Lord.

Forever, in the Hebrew, is not so interested in eternity, though that is the destiny of the saint. Forever here speaks of length of days. There is a notion out there that God will be good to us in eternity, but for now he lets us suffer, and he actually holds back the good thing until later. That is heresy. He is your Shepherd now.

So, what you may claim as a promise of God is a whole life of special tender attention to every detail in your life by Almighty God. So, what else do you need?

 

 

 

 

Go here to sing along to over 450 hymns.

 

SMALL QUIET TRIPS IN OUR LITTLE DARK STUDY

1. QUIET IN THE BIG CITY

2. QUIET KANSAS STYLE

3. QUIET OTHER PLACES IN THIS JOURNAL

4. A LITTLE QUIET TALK WITH UNCLE STEVE

5. QUIET BIBLE TIME

6. QUIET WHIPPED PREACHERS-- DON'T GIVE UP

7. QUIET PRAYER CORNER

8. QUIET WITH JOY HARDIN ON THE PIANO

9. NEVER GIVE UP

10. QUIETNESS WITH WHOLE SCREEN PICTURES
OF GOD'S CREATION
-- Long Load-- Graphic intensive.

11. QUIETNESS IN BLACK AND WHITE

12. QUIET IN THE HOLY LAND

13. QUIET OF THE HEAVENS

14. HEAVENLY SONLIGHT

15. DELIVERANCE FROM GUILT AND GUILT MONGERS
For some reason, many readers find this page in the evening.

16. QUIET REST

17. HEAVEN

18. THE GOOD SHEPHERD-- Very Special Page by Mary Van Nattan

19. LOOKING BACK-- This is a time when it is OK

20. QUIET IN THE GARDEN

21. A QUIET PLACE TO EXALT THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

22. THE SHIPS THAT WON'T GO DOWN- By Henry Lawson

23. THE SOP OR THE SAVIOR OF THE SOP?

24. NO GREATER LOVE

25. QUIET DIVERSION

26. WORSHIP AND EXALTATION OF GOD

27. THE PRESENT DISTRESS- WORLD CHAOS - NEW

 

 


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