Sabbath Afternoon - June 25
Memory Text:
“He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” KJV — Psalm 23:3
“These are precious words. We are adopted into the family of God. We are to be His peculiar people. Those who mingle with worldlings should make special efforts to win them to Christ. We should seek by much prayer for wisdom to speak to those who are ignorant of their duty to God, ignorant of the word of the Lord. But when we find that we cannot lift them out of their sin, or awaken in their hearts a desire to be saved in the Lord’s appointed way, then if we choose their society we become one with them. Christ is as the vine to all who choose to be united with Him. He feeds and nourishes the soul. ‘He restoreth my soul and leadeth me in the paths of righteousness, for his name’s sake. [Psalm 23:3.]’” 13LtMs, Lt 58, 1898, par. 22
Sunday - June 26
A Guide for the Journey The Shepherd
Psalm 23:1
What do you learn about the Shepherd from each of the following verses?
Isa. 40:11 - This care over His people is to be felt when His arm rules for Him. He shall then take charge of His work, and of His people, as a shepherd takes charge of a flock. He shall exercise personal care over all, old and young alike.
John 10:14-16 - The ancient shepherd had to give a complete account of the flock, even to the smallest details. Do you think God will require less of you? Are not His sheep of much greater value? David risked his life for a lamb, but God delivered him from the lion and the bear. David, for God’s honor, and for the safety of His people, endangered his own life, faced the Giant Goliath, but God delivered the Philistine into David’s hands, and made David king over His nation. Do you think He will do less for you, if you, too, imitate the Good Shepherd?
Now turn to Psalm 23. What does the Shepherd do to care for His sheep?
“Jesus is the good Shepherd. His followers are the sheep of His pasture. A shepherd is always with his flock to defend them, to keep them from the wolves, to hunt up the lost sheep and carry them back to the fold, to lead them beside green pastures and beside living waters. LHU 215.3
“I cannot neglect the great salvation that has been brought to me at such an infinite cost to my heavenly Father, who “so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” I will not dishonor my Redeemer to lightly esteem His sufferings, His trials, His condescension, His sacrifice, His death, because He so loves us, He would Himself become our sin-bearer. Oh, what love, what inexpressible love! He became a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. He died on the cross [as if He were] a transgressor, that man might be justified through His merits....” LHU 215.4
Monday - June 27
Locations on the Journey
Psalm 23:3
Identify from Psalm 23 the locations that David sees the sheep passing through when following the paths of righteousness as they make their way to the house of the Lord?
These words are an eternal expression of the Lord’s servant’s hope. David, the king of Israel, likening himself to a sheep with the Lord as his Shepherd, was able to look beyond the mysteries of this mortal life with its uncertainties into the future, and with unmistakable clearness was able to say, “yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.” Why?
Because the Lord was his Shepherd; and the Shepherd’s Rod and His staff, comforted him. And he had the assurance and was well able to declare that he would dwell in the house of the Lord, his Shepherd, forever.
To know all this is to know the Lord our righteousness; that if He is for us then no one can win a thing against us; that the battle is the Lord’s; that we have no need to fear our enemies; that whatever we do shall prosper regardless who is for or against us.
Tuesday - June 28
Unexpected Detour 1: The Valley
Psalm 23:4
How do you think the sheep ended up in the valley?
“Satan is our destroyer, but Christ is our restorer. We must put faith into constant exercise, and trust in God, whatever our feelings may be. Isaiah says: “Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God.” You can say with the psalmist, “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. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” “Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper. And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the Lord; for his mercy endureth forever. And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord sent ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.” “Unto you therefore which believe he is precious.” Consider the fact that the Lord has given his only begotten Son, ‘that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’” RH May 19, 1896, par. 2
Wednesday - June 29
Unexpected Detour 2: The Surrounded Table
Psalm 23:5
What type of enemies have you had in your life?
“Constantly exercise faith. Trust in God whatever your feelings may be. “Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of His servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God.” Let him say with the psalmist, “Yea, tho 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. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” ST September 2, 1903, par. 4
“Do not think that because you have sinned, you must always be under condemnation. When the tempter tells you that your sins are so great that you have no right to claim the promises of God, say, “It is written, ‘Tho your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;’ and ‘If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.’” ST September 2, 1903, par. 5
Thursday - June 30
A certain Promise for the Journey
Psalm 23:6
What two things does David say in Psalm 23:6 that he is certain of?
“Christ has given us no assurance that to attain to perfection of character is an easy matter. It is a conflict, a battle and a march, day by day. It is through much tribulation that we enter the kingdom of heaven. In order to share with Christ in His glory we must share in His suffering.... He has overcome for us. Shall we, then, be timid and cowardly because of the trials that we meet as we advance? ... SD 198.2
“When we have a deeper appreciation of the mercy and loving-kindness of God, we shall praise Him, instead of complaining. We shall talk of the loving watchcare of the Lord, of the tender compassion of the Good Shepherd. The language of the heart will not be selfish murmuring and repining. Praise, like a clear, flowing stream, will come from God's truly believing ones. They will say, ‘Goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.’” ... SD 198.3
Friday - July 1
Further Study
“We must put faith into constant exercise, and trust in God whatever our feelings may be. Isaiah says, “Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness and hath no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God.” [Isaiah 50:10.] You can say with the Psalmist, “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. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies: thou anointest my head with oil: my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house for ever.” [Psalm 23:4-6.] 10LtMs, Lt 26, 1895, par. 18
“‘Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper. And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the Lord that they should praise the beauties of holiness, and they went out before the army, and said, Praise the Lord: for his mercy endureth for ever. And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord sent ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, which were come against Judah, and they were smitten.’ [2 Chronicles 20:20-22.] ‘Unto you therefore which believe he is precious.” [1 Peter 2:7.] Consider the fact that the Lord has given his only begotten Son, “that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.’” [John 3:16.] 10LtMs, Lt 26, 1895, par. 19