Lesson Two – (with honest updates)

I must be honest with you. This is not the lesson I had originally planned for today. The original lesson was written quite some time ago, and while it is really good, it just wasn’t what is in my heart for today. (The original lesson is included as Lesson 2 on the download page as a PDF file that you can print out.)

The original lesson was written long before I ever heard of a coronavirus. Covid-19 wasn’t a thing. So, the lesson was written with a totally different perspective than the thoughts I want to offer you this morning.

As we look at the last four words of Psalm 23:1, we read this,

The Lord is my Shepherd
I shall not want…

I shall not want! How do we make sense of these words when we look around us today and see so many who are in want?

There are those who want a few more moments with a loved one who is dying in a hospital, but they can’t be there because of the virus quarantines in place.

There are those who want their loved ones, who are health care workers, to be protected from the virus they are daily exposed to.

There are those who want to know if they will get another pay check since their place of business has been closed.

There are moms who want to know if there will be enough groceries to feed their children.

There are dads who want to know if there will be enough income to pay the rent.

There are elderly in nursing homes who want to see their families, but cannot because they are quarantined.

Everyone wants a vaccine, a cure and an answer.

Today, I woke up in the wee hours of the morning, feeling heavy and sorrowful. I’ve not responded that way up until now. The anguish of hearing my dad’s voice on the phone yesterday was hard for me. His dementia has been worsened as he is in “lockdown” at the assisted facility where he lives. He wanted to “go home,” not realizing that he is in his own apartment that he has loved for almost 10 years. But my sorrow was not for me only. I grieve for the families who are having funerals and cannot feel the close comfort from extended family and friends, due to the “shelter in place” restrictions. I grieve for those who live in the large cities that are besieged by the virus…wondering if the silent enemy will invade their homes. I grieve for the family on my own street who is wondering how they will be able to rebuild their business after the crisis is over.

It is not unusual, when I minister the Word as in these lessons, for the Lord to “prove” the message in my own heart. He was faithful to do just that this morning. As I walked and prayed in the dark I remembered the word of this precious Psalm. King David was familiar with want. Even though he was a king he often cried out to the Lord in desperation. In Psalm 61, he cried out in deep anguish,

“Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.”

David suffered much sorrow; the sting of failure, the loss of a young child, the rebellion and death of a grown son. He hid in caves, ran for his life and felt rejection. He carried the load of governing a nation and, more than once, bore up under the burden of his own sins.

Yes, David knew want. But he was also closely acquainted with the Great Shepherd who was the greatest satisfaction in his life. He had seen the Lord’s faithfulness, over and over. He knew the one who meets every need.

“I will sing of the mercies of the LORD forever;
with my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all generations.For I have said, “Mercy shall be built up forever;
You shall establish in the very heavens.”O LORD God of hosts, who is mighty like You, O LORD?
Your faithfulness also surrounds You.” Psalm 89

As the sun rose this morning, things looked better. No, the news reports aren’t much better than yesterday. But my heart is fixed on this….my God is faithful! And he withholds “No good thing from those who walk uprightly.” Psalm 84:11

This is the link to Psalm 23 (I Am No Alone) as sung by People and Songs. I think it will encourage you. https://www.google.com/search?gs_ssp=eJzj4tVP1zc0TMuqrLRMN88zYPQSLyhOzMlVMDJWyFRIzFXIyy9RSMzJz0sFAPi0DJE&q=psalm+23+i+am+not+alone&rlz=1C5CHFA_enUS738US738&oq=Psalm+23+&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j46l2j0l4j69i61.7656j0j8&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Don’t forget to download the original Lesson 2. You will like it! Also, give me a shout out in the comments section. If you haven’t “followed” the blog, please do it so you can get a notice every time I post a new lesson.

Love to all of you. gb