Sunday, July 6, 1997 In Your Absence:
In this week's lesson, which came from Psalms 23, we learned about God's constant care for us. He has His eyes on us at all times, whether we have a particular need or not. When we do have needs, He is faithful to meet those needs. He is present when we are in the midst of a stressful or fearful situation, and through His fellowship, He renews our confidence. Some important conclusions of this lesson were that He is with us during good times and bad. He always has our best interests at heart, and He comforts us so that we can, in turn, comfort others.
From our study, we learned that God is our Shepherd and that He watches over us. We saw that His watch care over us is constant and without flaw. He makes us to lie down in green pastures for rest, and He leads us beside still waters where we can have all our needs met and draw from Him in a peaceful environment. Through His goodness to us, He teaches us that we can count on Him, but He is also there when we are in a stressful or fearful situation. He is our constant companion and also our Guide through the trials and tribulations of this life. As we looked at and considered the words of David in this Psalm, we saw one who feared God but also one who did not fear the often troublesome problems of life. You and I can learn much and have tremendous peace by emulating David's simple example.
This lesson also showed us that God renews or restores our confidence by His fellowship with us. It is comforting to know that the God of our Creation is approachable and that He never leaves us. Regardless of our situation, we can always turn to Him with confidence and expect His faithful response. David wrote that his cup was overflowing, overflowing with the Lord's goodness and love. The Holy Spirit revealed to him that his eternal home would be with the Lord, and He will also reveal that same truth to each of us if we have trusted in the finished work of Christ on the cross. We can be comforted that our life will have a glorious conclusion as we go to be with our Lord forever. These truths are precious, and they should cause each of us to rejoice in what we have through Him. As you go through this coming week, ask the Holy Spirit to help you share with someone else the hope that you have in Jesus, the Christ.
Tom of Spotswood"He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." (I John 5:12)
"And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13)
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