by Lenore Buth
New warnings and new rules shout at us from all sides, variations on, “Be afraid. Be very afraid!”
As believers in Jesus Christ we know our Lord watches over us. Yet even the strongest among us admit we occasionally give in to fear. Many people say that considering the circumstances that’s the only reasonable response,
So how do we stay balanced? How are we to live when the news seldom gives us reason to smile?
Here at St. Matthew, we absolutely know it is God who has the last word in every situation. That is never in doubt. Because God speaks to us through his Word, we know we can find reassurances in the Bible—and we do, over and over, from beginning to end. Think of Jesus speaking to his disciples in Matthew 28:20: “And behold, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
We are never left to struggle on our own. He is always, always with us, whatever comes.
Sometimes God speaks peace to our hearts from unexpected sources
Sometimes a timeless story travels around on the Internet and reinforces what we know. This one came through on my feed awhile back. It’s a true story from the 1920s, an era when people would travel great distances to hear dramatic actors and orators recite poems and speeches, even ones the audience knew by heart.
In your imagination, settle back into your front-row seat as the houselights dim. The performance is about to begin.
Around you sit more than a hundred guests, all dressed in their best finery. Each one feels privileged to be invited to this lavish event, scheduled to showcase a much-acclaimed stage actor and orator. This man travels extensively and draws large (paying) crowds wherever he goes.
After reciting several poems and dramatic readings, each one received with applause, the great man called for requests. One guest asked, "Would you kindly favor us with your rendering of the Twenty-third Psalm?"
At once the celebrity in his designer tuxedo and multiple gold rings launched into a dramatic rendition, complete with well-practiced flourishes and gestures. At the end the audience gave the speaker a prolonged standing ovation.
Then came a voice from the back of the great room. An older man dressed in a wrinkled, well-worn suit stood and asked, "Might I also speak this Psalm?"
Permission was given so the white-haired man slowly, carefully made his way to the front of the room. The audience sat politely, each one prepared to be unimpressed. Yet as soon as the old man began to speak in his quavering voice a hush fell over the room. Listeners sat in rapt attention, many with tears streaming. Some began weeping loudly.
When the older gentleman finished speaking, the roomful of listeners sat without moving for several minutes.
At the reception afterward, someone asked the famous orator why each man spoke the words of the same Psalm but the audience showed such different responses. The actor answered, "I have known that old man personally for years, so I do know the reason.
"I think it comes down to this. I have every word and every gesture memorized perfectly. But that man, he knows the Shepherd."
Let’s take a thoughtful look at Psalm 23
In that time the older man would have quoted the King James Version, so that is what appears below. In the early days of this Nation the KJV often served as a textbook for grammar and for teaching proper English usage in many of our public schools.
Let’s take time to drink in these beautiful words. They are true for you and for me, as much now as from the beginning--and forever. As Jesus said in Mark 13:30: "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away."
Psalm 23
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
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.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Where could we find a better antidote to fear?
Any time we’re worried about the “What ifs,” reading this Psalm aloud-- even just to ourselves--will quiet our inner fears, On those nights when sleep won’t come or we wake with a racing heart, try whispering the words of Psalm 23 into that fear as a reminder that our Good Shepherd is with us every step of the way.
It’s as the beautiful worship song, “No Longer Slaves” puts it. In Christ we are no longer “slaves to fear.” We are the children of God, gathered together in this faith family to encourage and comfort each other. The Holy Spirit lives within us and lifts us out of the pit of fear.
How can this be true? It’s as the Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:7:
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
No matter how many people around us and in the media echo the talk of fear, we are safe in the loving arms of our Good Shepherd. Safe whatever may come into our lives because HE cares for us.
Let’s resolve to be the voices of calm and peace to the people around us, especially our families and friends. Especially now, in these unsettled times, how better can we push back the darkness (as Pastor Brad puts it) and shine forth the light of Jesus?