THE REST OF THE BEST
This is the final installment of our breakdown teachings on the most excellent confession of all time. You can find the first three messages on our website:
We strongly recommend that every believer thoroughly read and comprehend the tenth chapter of the book of John. In it Jesus proclaimed that He is our GOOD Shepherd. He declared that He knows us and calls us by our names. Jesus said that we know His voice and we will listen to no other.
How exciting and wonderful is it that Jesus knows us, calls us by our names, and that we know His voice and will harken to no other?
When God put on an earth suit and entered the earth as a baby, He sent His personal messenger Gabriel to announce to the shepherds and to us that we should not be afraid because He brought “GOOD TIDINGS OF GREAT JOY WHICH WOULD BE TO ALL PEOPLE! If what you are hearing is not good news of great joy, it is not the Gospel of Jesus.
As was revealed in our last teachings, Jesus never asked us to confess anything. The only confession He asked of the disciples was to tell Him who they thought He was.
One thousand years before Jesus asked His disciples who they thought He was, David wrote the most beautiful descriptions of Whom he thought God was and what he thought about Him.
David’s confessions are found in his Psalms. The greatest, in my opinion, is the Twenty Third.
For some reason, this wonderful statement of life with God has been relegated to funeral readings. This confounds me because it has nothing to do with death and everything to do with abundant life.
Let us review what we have learned about David’s profound statement of belief so far:
“The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want!”
Because if we believe and believe in Him, we receive all of His blood-bought great and precious promises! We will never be in need of anything.
(2 Peter 1:1-4, John 6:28-29)
“He causes me to lie down in green pastures.”
“Jesus said that He came so that we would have life and have it in abundance. There is nothing more prosperous for a sheep than to lie down in green pastures.
(John 10:10, Luke 6:38, 2Corinthians9:6-14)
He leads me beside still waters.
Jesus leads us beside still waters because He knows we are fretty, easily frightened little sheep. So He gave us His peace.
(John 14:27)
“He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.”
Jesus placed us in right standing with Him by removing our sins; past, present, and future, forever. Why? Because He loves us so much just as we are, He was willing to die the worst death any human ever has or will to ransom us from our sins so that He can have us with him forever and ever in His glorious home. Now the only thing that can separate us from Him is unbelief. Thus, His name is honored by the love He has poured into us.
(Hebrews 8:10-12, 10:10-18, Psalm 103:1-3, 1 Peter 2:24, Zephaniah 3:17, Isaiah 53:4-5, John 1:29)
“Yes, though, I walk through the deep dark valley of the shadow (not the valley of death, the valley of the SHADOW of death. The things we fear the most form a shadow that we react too in faith or fear. They appear deadly, but they are only shadows, even the worst of them.) of death, I will fear or dread no evil,
(It is critical that we understand this remarkable statement of belief. First, David wrote that no matter how dark, frightening, threatening, or impossible the situation, He refused to surrender to the fear we all experience. Then he explained why.) For you are with me; Your rod and staff, they comfort me.”
Jesus taught us that He is with us even until the end of the age.
He will never leave us or forsake us. He is always with us.
(Matthew 28:20)
A Shepherd’s Staff has a hook on the end used to guide the sheep and, if necessary, lift it out of dangerous situations. The Shepherd’s rod is used to defeat any attacker. God’s Rod and Staff are Jesus the Word and Holy Spirit.
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You have anointed and refreshed my head with oil; My cup overflows.
Jesus preparing a table before us in the presence of our enemies is a beautiful picture. See all your problems, worries, and enemies, including the evil one surrounding you, waiting to pounce on you.
Then imagine yourself seated with Jesus at a table overflowing with heavenly delights. You and Jesus are laughing and celebrating the victory that He has brought about over all of them. Yet, they can do nothing but watch in agony and defeat as you and King Jesus mock those who believed they could or were about to hurt or destroy you.
Here is a great declaration from Jesus to add to that vision whenever you are frightened, anxious, or worried:
“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have perfect peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of GOOD CHEER take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted! FOR I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD! I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.”
(John 16:33)
Whatever tribulation, problems, torments, pain, agony or despair face us, Jesus has overcome them all.
“You have anointed and refreshed my head with oil; my cup runneth over.”
The middle east is very arid, dusty, and dry. In the days of David and Jesus, when one invited an honored guest to their home, they would greet them by washing their feet and massaging their hair and beards with oils and spices to relax and refresh them after their journey.
A cup was placed under the beard to catch the excess anointing oils. David wrote that God anointed him so much that his chin cup ran over.
Imagine how Jesus has blessed and anointed us, His beloved children who come to Him in love. We are His glorious inheritance.
We are His honored quests.
“Surely goodness and mercy and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, And I shall dwell forever in the house in the presence of the Lord.”
Jesus stated clearly several times that all that is required of us to receive and walk in His love, goodness, and mercy forever is to choose to believe and believe in Him.
(Here are three: John 6:28-29, John 3:16-18, and John 5:24)
NEVER FORGET HOW MUCH JESUS LOVES YOU!!!
Jesus loves you (personally) so much, regardless of your performance or lack thereof, that He suffered the worst death any human ever has or will to make it possible for you to transition into the glorious life He has created for you simply by believing without doubt.
How much do you love Him? You have read David’s confession or love letter. What do you say about Jesus?
A great way to start is to write what He has done for you and what He means to you.
If you need help, use David’s confession as a guide.
LOVE TO YOU ALL
