Apples of Gold – Psalm 23 (No 2)
Herewith our 2nd meditation on Psalm 23. Maybe one of the most notable characteristics of the Psalm was that inspired by the Holy Spirit, written by a man who in his younger years was a shepherd, a soldier and a King.
So when David, at the end of his life, looks back and says: “THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD”, we should take note, especially when David completes the thought with that famous and outstanding statement of contentment: “I SHALL NOT WANT”. What he is saying is: “my life is complete and purposeful; my destiny is secure in the Lord; I am truly happy and at peace, even if life is and was often very difficult and sad”.
When the apostle Paul writes to young Timothy and also to us today, it is clear that he wants this same contentment for all believers. Just like David, Paul also knows that contentment will never be found in things – it will escape you until you find it in the Lord. 1 Timothy 6:6-11 “ But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.” Then comes the final charge to Timothy in verse 11: “ But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness”.
I love the way JR Littleproud, theologian and politician of the 1930s concurs with David when he wrote: “The secret of a happy life: The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. The secret of a happy death: Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil; For You are with me. The secret of a happy eternity: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever!”
With much Christian love,
Anton van Stormbroek
24 October 2022