Psalm 23:4
The Good Shepherd prepares us for a Happy Death
The Good Shepherd prepares us for a Happy Death
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. (KJV)
26 March, 2014
We are now half way through our pilgrimage of Lent. The Good
Shepherd shares His life with us. He also prepares us for a happy death. David
now directs our attention to the tomb. The Scriptures remind us: “It is
appointed for men once to die and after that comes judgment.” {Hebrews
9:27} How can we be assured of a happy death? David reminds us the assurance we
have as we look at verse 4 of our Psalm for tonight. “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.” -Psalm 23:4 (KJV)
1. Death brings about parting and separation – “Yea,
though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death.”
There are numerous definitions of death. Some may suggest that
death is the absence of specific functions of the body; such as no pulse, or
that the person isn’t breathing, or that there isn’t any heart beat. Still
other may say that the definition of death is the absence of brain waves.
Yet the Scriptures give us a concise definition of death. In the
book of Ecclesiastes, chapter 12 reminds us that the definition of death for
the believer is the separation of the soul from the body. “then
the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God
who gave it.” (Ecclesiastes 12:7 NAS)
When the body and soul are
separated the Christian can safely assume that death has occurred. Parting is also a part of the entire dying process. It has
been observed that especially when an elderly person, who had been married for
some fifty, fifty-five, or sixty years looses a spouse often they quite frankly
loose the will to live. The Lord commenting on the marriage union tells us in
Genesis 2:24: “For this cause a man shall leave his father and his
mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.”
(NAS) The bond of marriage grows stronger over the years. When death
occurs after a half century of memories are made there is a parting that brings
immense sorrow.
David is correct, when death draws near, though it be a shadow, it
casts a long silhouette and we walk through a deep valley filled with
loneliness and sorrow. Even we Christians grieve at death. St. Paul says in
1Thessalonians 4:13-14: “But we do not want you to be uninformed,
brethren, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve, as do the rest
who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God
will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.” (NAS) Paul
acknowledges that we grieve and sorrow at the point of death. We face separation
and parting yet we grieve differently then those who have no Christian hope. We
mourn our dead differently. We have a hope in the resurrection.
2. Yet, there is peace with God through our Lord
Jesus Christ – David reminds us: “I fear no evil”
The evil which men experience as death draws near is the prospect
of facing God. It is amazing what men have said as they realized the certainty
of their own demise. Consider what men have said on their deathbed.
Ø Francis Voltaire, A French unbeliever said to his doctor:
"I am abandoned by God and men! I will give you half of what I am worth if
you will give me six months' life. Then I will go to Hell; and you will go with
me. O Christ! O Jesus Christ!"
Ø Thomas Paine, An American author and unbeliever: "I would give worlds, if
I had them, that 'The Age Of Reason' had never been published.
O God, what have I done to suffer so much? But there is no God! But if there
should be, what will become of me hereafter? Stay with me, for God's sake! Send
even a child to stay with me, for it is Hell to be alone. If ever the Devil had
an agent, I have been that one."
Ø Edward Gibbon, author of "History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman
Empire": "All is dark and doubtful!"
Ø Dwight L. Moody: American Evangelist said: "Earth is
receding, Heaven opens before me. God is calling...”
Ø Paul the Apostle. -- AD 66: “I have fought a good fight, I have
finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a
crown of righteousness." (II Timothy 4:7,8).
Ø John A. Lyth: "Can this be death? "Why, it is better than living!
"Tell them I die happy in Jesus!"[1]
3. David reminds us. We are protected, even in
death – “For Thou art with me”
We do not walk alone. We walk through the valley of death with the
Good Shepherd who took on death at the cross and defeated death and the grave
once and for all. Jesus has promised: “I am with you always” (Matthew
28:20) We are never alone. The Good Shepherd has promised us “I will never,
no never leave thee, nor ever forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5) Here are no
fewer then five negatives heaped together. They confirm a great promise. The
believer in Christ shall have the gracious presence of God with him in life, at
death, and forever!
4. Life is but a pilgrimage. In death we take a
walk from one end of the kingdom to the other; from the kingdom of grace to the
kingdom of glory – As we take this walk we are comforted by our Good Shepherd:
“Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.”
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