Psalm 23:2
The day is coming when we will not be able to buy or sell, because we refuse to take the mark of the beast. We will then be faced with starvation. Yet the child of God will with David be able to say of Jehovah, "He maketh me to lie down in green pastures He leadeth me beside the still waters", Psalm 23:2.
Now a sheep lies down when it has eaten sufficiently. And to lie down in green pastures means that there is still an abundance of food far beyond the present needs. Still waters represent peace, tranquility, complete freedom from fear of any harm.
And although such a wonderful life seems impossible, and we can only wonder how David, a man with such a troubled life, could say this. And in v.3 he goes on to say that God restores his soul. How can he speak that way? How can we sing this truth? Well, remember that David says that Jehovah is his Shepherd. And we do well to write that truth in our souls and daily sing (PRC Psalter):
The Lord's my shepherd, I'll not want;
He makes me down to lie
In pastures green: He leadeth me
The quiet waters by.
Yes, all that which we need will be supplied. All is well, and all will be well every step of our way, because Jehovah is our Shepherd.
Just glance ahead a few verses and note that in the last verse David says, "And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." Keep that in mind all day and every day. Come what may, even in the days of the antichrist, we will be supplied by our Shepherd with all that we need to reach and enter into that house of God. Remember that it is to that house that He is leading us, and is supplying us with that which is necessary for us to reach glory.
What terrible agony His Son suffered to earn a place for us in that house! But it brought Him there and gave Him power over all our enemies. Behold Him there and put your trust in Him. At God's appointed time He will return and take you out of this vale of tears and into that house.
Read Ezekiel 34:11-31
Psalter versification: #53:1
Words and Music of the Psalter
Daily Meditations on the Heidelberg Catechism
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Through the Bible in One Year
Read today:
Genesis 39 ; Genesis 40 ; Genesis 41:1-16
Matthew 12:46-50 ; Matthew 13:1-23
Psalm 17:1-15
Proverbs 3:33-35
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Quote for Reflection:
… Since we are expressly forewarned that we must always watch, lest he come upon us when asleep, and we be swallowed up with the ungodly, there is no excuse for our indolence; more especially since there is reason to dread not only a breach of the wall, and a loss of our property, but a deadly wound to ruin our soul, unless we are on our guard. The tendency of these words therefore is, that the warning of Christ should arouse us; for, though the last judgment be delayed for a long time, yet it hangs over us every hour; and, therefore, when there is ground for alarm, and when danger is near, it is unreasonable that we should be sluggish. – John Calvin
Additional Info
- Date: 19-January
Heys, John A.
Rev. John A. Heys was born on March 16, 1910 in Grand Rapids, MI. He was ordained and installed into the ministry at Hope, Walker, MI in 1941. He later served at Hull, Iowa beginning in 1955. In 1959 he accepted the call to serve the South Holland, IL Protestant Reformed Church. He received and accepted the call to Holland, Michigan Protestant Reformed Church in 1967. He retired from the active ministry in 1980. He entered into glory on February 16, 1998.