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Topic: He Gathers The Lambs
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practicalbibleteaching
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Member # 7755
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posted
Great post Betty, Thanks!
Psalm 23
23:1 The Lord is my shepherd - David knew what a shepherd was because he was one. A shepherd is a provider and a protector of the sheep. David had risked his life protecting his father's sheep on at least two occasions. In calling God his shepherd he was recognizing God as his provider and protector. We should do the same. In calling God his shepherd David also realized himself a sheep. Sheep are helpless animals, totally dependant on the shepherd. Sheep are inoffensive, meek, and silent before the shearers. They are also useful in providing wool and good at unity, staying together as a flock. We also should be totally dependant on God, humble, not intintionally inoffensive to others, and silent in persecution, trusting in God. We should be useful to others and in unity with God's people.
I shall not want - If we look to God as our provider and protector, if we delight ourselves in Him, we shall not lack any good thing. PS 34:9-10 O fear the Lord, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him. The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.
23:2 lie down in green pastures - The person who looks to God as their provider and protector is in a place of nourishment. PS 1:1-3 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. Jer 17:5-8 Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord. For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited. Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.
beside the still waters - In the Hebrew this means waters of quietness. The meaning here is peace. John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Peace is ours by inheritance. Rom 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
23:3 He restoreth my soul - God saves us, keeps us, feeds us, guides us, and comforts us. Many times as his child he has to help us when we stumble. Prov 24:16 ...a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief. Why is it that a just man can so easily get up when he has fallen? Ps 73:23 ...thou hast holden me by my right hand. Because God has a hold of him.
he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness - Righteousness meaning rightness, justice, virtue, and prosperity. Rom 8:12-14 ...brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. John 10:27-30 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one.
23:4 I will fear no evil - To those who look to God as there provider and protector physical death is only a valley and and shadow through which God will bring them safely. God does not wish for His people to fear death. 1 Cor 15:56-57 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Ps 116:15 Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.
23:5 Thou preparest a table before me - God is our provider. He provides for us openly before the eyes of our enemies. He supplies our needs to the point that His goodness to us will also benefit others. God gives to us that we may give also.
23:6 goodness and mercy shall follow me - Goodness and mercy is upon those who look to God as their provider and protector. The same can not be said for the unsaved. John 3:36 ...he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever - The house of the Lord is where the Lord is. It is also recognized as the place where God's people meet. One of the most blessed promises to the believer is the promise of always being with Jesus. At present He resides with us, our body is His temple. One day He will take us to Himself and we will forever be with Him. 1 Thess 4:16-18 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
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The Church of Jesus Christ is perfect for those who are not!
Posts: 53 | From: Tennessee | Registered: Jun 2009
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MentorsRiddle
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Member # 2108
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posted
That's such a cute picture ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
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With you I rise,
In you I sleep,
kneeling down I kiss your feet,
Grace abounds upon me now,
I once was lost
but now I'm found.
The gift of God dwells within,
To this love I now give in.
Posts: 1337 | From: Arkansas | Registered: Sep 2003
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MentorsRiddle
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Member # 2108
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posted
quote:
They will leave their own safe yard for a bite of a plant that looks good across the street. We, Christians can be like that.
This is so true. Sometimes when you think about it from that perspective -- how much like children we appear like. ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
God Bless
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With you I rise,
In you I sleep,
kneeling down I kiss your feet,
Grace abounds upon me now,
I once was lost
but now I'm found.
The gift of God dwells within,
To this love I now give in.
Posts: 1337 | From: Arkansas | Registered: Sep 2003
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Carol Swenson
Admin
Member # 6929
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posted
I love Charles Spurgeon! Thank you so much Betty!
Posts: 6787 | From: Colorado | Registered: Dec 2007
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Betty Louise
Advanced Member
Member # 7175
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posted
MR,
You are welcome. I have heard a person who studied lambs say they are prone to wander. They will leave their own safe yard for a bite of a plant that looks good across the street. We, Christians can be like that. I have known Christians who are Church hoppers always looking for that perfect Church and that perfect Pastor. Of course we should leave a Church when the Pastor is watering down the Gospel,but when we are in a good Bible preaching Church, we should not be constantly looking for something new or fancier.
betty
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Luk 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
Posts: 5051 | From: Houston, Texas | Registered: May 2008
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MentorsRiddle
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Member # 2108
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posted
quote:
With what effectual grace did He compel me to come to Himself! Since my first conversion, how frequently has He restored me from my wanderings, and once again folded me within the circle of His everlasting arm!
I loved this part of the post.
I've often wondered if lambs are truly like they are discribed in religious poems and such. If they are it is most amazing how similar they are to us and how much we relate to them, and God to the shepard.
This was a moving post -- thank you for taking time to post it and brightening our day a bit.
God Bless
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With you I rise,
In you I sleep,
kneeling down I kiss your feet,
Grace abounds upon me now,
I once was lost
but now I'm found.
The gift of God dwells within,
To this love I now give in.
Posts: 1337 | From: Arkansas | Registered: Sep 2003
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Betty Louise
Advanced Member
Member # 7175
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posted
Today's Study from Bible Study Planet
He Gathers The Lambs
Posted: 18 Jun 2009 06:32 PM PDT
“He shall gather the lambs with His arm.”
-Isaiah 40:11
Our good Shepherd has in His flock a variety of experiences, some are strong in the Lord, and others are weak in faith, but He is impartial in His care for all His sheep, and the weakest lamb is as dear to Him as the most advanced of the flock.
Lambs are wont to lag behind, prone to wander, and apt to grow weary, but from all the danger of these infirmities the Shepherd protects them with His arm of power.
He finds newborn souls, like young lambs, ready to perish - He nourishes them till life becomes vigorous; He finds weak minds ready to faint and die - He consoles them and renews their strength.
All the little ones He gathers, for it is not the will of our heavenly Father that one of them should perish. What a quick eye He must have to see them all! What a tender heart to care for them all! What a far reaching and potent arm, to gather them all!
In His lifetime on earth He was a great gatherer of the weaker sort, and now that He dwells in heaven, His loving heart yearns towards the meek and contrite, the timid and feeble, the fearful and fainting here below. How gently did He gather me to Himself, to His truth, to His blood, to His love, to His church!
With what effectual grace did He compel me to come to Himself! Since my first conversion, how frequently has He restored me from my wanderings, and once again folded me within the circle of His everlasting arm!
The best of all is, that He does it all Himself personally, not delegating the task of love, but condescending Himself to rescue and preserve His most unworthy servant.
How shall I love Him enough or serve Him worthily? I would love to make His name great unto the ends of the earth, but what can my feebleness do for Him? Great Shepherd, add to Your mercies this one other, a heart to love you more as I should.
- Charles Spurgeon
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Luk 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
Posts: 5051 | From: Houston, Texas | Registered: May 2008
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