The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
"Life With the Shepherd"
The 100th Psalm has held a special place in my heart for more than sixty years.
"Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before His presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations" (Psalm 100:5).
The elementary school I attended as a child broadcast David's beautiful call to God at the beginning of each school day. Such a thing could not happen in public schools today. Long ago, however, the students of Woodcock daily heard the beckoning of the One declared by Scripture as the Great Shepherd, the Chief Shepherd, the Good Shepherd, and as David personally testified, my Shepherd. I did not always listen with rapt attention. I have no doubt, however, that the recitation indelibly imprinted realities on my heart that would one day lead me to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Indeed, the 100th Psalm communicates God's loving determination to care for His children in every way. To hear such an ongoing declaration of grace had an effect in my heart long ago, as it does today. I recite David's words as each day begins in tribute to the care of the Shepherd who long ago came looking for this lost sheep, and who so faithfully - and necessarily - works to keep me in His care. "Thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth… The Lord is my Shepherd" (Isaiah 25:1; Psalm 23:1).
Woodcock Elementary School no longer exists. It was demolished several years ago and replaced by houses of a new subdivision. This saddens me every time we pass by the property, leading to thanksgiving for my time at the school. Teachers and friends of old come to mind, along with prayers for those who blessed my life so long ago. A Psalm also comes to remembrance, the 100th Psalm that continues to bless my present experience with its beautiful declaration that "The Lord is good." What a wonder of glory and truth to have heard then, and no less, to hear now as God's words of old abide as His words of the present. "Thy Word is true from the beginning: and every one of Thy righteous judgments endureth forever" (Psalm 119:160).
Long ago, children just beginning the school day heard the Word of God and the Spirit of God offer the way to experience life - life with the Shepherd - as God intends it to be. What a gift, to have been among that blessed company. Doubtless, others also continue to benefit from the echoes of long ago that promised God's goodness, mercy, and truth to "His people, and the sheep of His pasture." The promise proved to more true than children could have imagined, or that any of us will ever fully discover in the faithfulness of our great Shepherd, our chief Shepherd, our good Shepherd, and let us personally rejoice, my Shepherd.
"I am the good Shepherd."
(John 10:11)
Weekly Memory Verse
My brethren, count it all joy when fall into diverse temptations, knowing that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
(James 1:2-3)
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