The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-04-20
SABBATH SCHOOL.
INTERNATIONAL LESSON FOR
APRIL "a.
Lesson Text: 'The Lord is My Shep
herd" Psalms xiii, 1-6-Gold.
Ell Text: Psalms kill,
documentary.

I. "The Lord is my shepherd; shall not
want" Inasmuch as this psalm comes be-
tween one that describes the death and res
direction Of the Christ, and one that speaks
of the fullness of the earth belonging to che
King of Glory, it looks as if this, too, was a
kingdom psalm. 1t is one Of the most help
full and practical Of all the psalms for the
daily life, but we are constantly enjoying
kingdom truth by anticipation. 1t is true
for us now in a measure, but the fullness Of
fulfllment is yet future. David knew how
he cared for his sheep how he fed
all but laid down his life for them. He
firmly believed that IN much greater de-
gree Jehovah as shepherd cared for him.
He is the good, great, chief Shepherd, who
actually laid down His life for the sheep
rose again from the dead, knows all His
sheep by name seeks them when they 60
astray, will never lose one Of them, and
when He appears in glory will reward all
the under shepherds who have been faithful
10 Him John K, II, IA, 27-30; Heb. xiii, 20;
Luke 1v., 6: Pet. ", A.. No good thing will
|. He withhold from any who are truly His,
hut will supply all their needs according to
His great riches FPS. lxxxiv., IL; x1xiv., 10;
Phil. iv., 19l. To believe heartily and live
daily upon this one verse would bring JOY to
many a sad heart. A statement like this
that does not bring US JOY and peace is SIM
ply not believed As to what the chief Shep-
herd will do for Israel when He comes in
His glory read Isa. H.. Oil: Eek x1xiv..
1923
2. HE maketh me to lie down in green
pastures. He leadeth me beside the still
waters" Or, as in the margin, pastures of
tender grass and waters Of quietness. When
sheep lie down in good pasture they must be
abundantly satisfied, and with quiet water
close at hand what more can they want?
What glories Of millennial blessedness are
here foreshadowed for Israel! and they shall
dwell safely and mono shall make them
afraid (Ezek. xxxiy., 1915, 2S). No more
hunger nor thirst, and the Lamb in the
midst of the throne shall feed them and
shall lead them into living fountains OF
waters (Rev. viii, 16 IL. But what about
the believer now? Jesus Christ Himself Is
not only our Redeemer, but He is also our
green pasture and fountain Of living
waters. He that eateth Me shall live by
Me-" and He that eateth Nv flesh and
drinketh NV blood dwelleth in Me, an in
him." and "the water that 1 shall give
him shall be in him we'll of water spring.
ing up into everlasting life" John vi, Sc,
81: iv.. 1A.
3. '.ae restoreth my soul; He leadeth me
in the paths Of rig ishteousness for His names
sake" He is the great restorer, and when
He comes again He will restore all things OF
which the prophets have spoken. Then
King shall reign in righteousness and princes
be the girdle Of His loins and faithfulness
the girdle OF His reins (Acts Ill, 81; Isa.
xxi, !; xi., 81. As to present experience,
as He is the only Saviour, 30 He is the only
restorer, and all our dealings must be person.
ally with Himself. Salvation, once ours
cannot be lost. He gives Himself to us and
He is ours forever; and where He truly be-
gins a work He will carry it on John Z, %,
2S; Phil. l., o.. But very little thing may
interrupt our communion and cause US to
walk in darkness. The least turning from
Righteousness will cause q cloud between
our souls and Him; but as all clouds are
earth born, let US live in the heavenlies
where we belong Eph. H., S. 81 and we may
have uninterrupted communion. Or II
Cloud arose through our failure to abide
in Him, one truly penitent lock to Him and
He will restore our souls to conscious fellow
ship with Himself and not cloud between.
4. "Yea, though / walk through the val
ley Of the shadow Of death will fear no
evil, for Thou art with me. Thy rod and Thy
staff they comfort me-" Possibly there is
reference to the awful valley Of death that
shall be in connection with tho judgment
upon the enemies Of Israel when it shall re-
quire seven months to bury the dead. Com
pare Eek. xxx. 12; Joel iii, ~ In those
comfort (Ps ix1lv., 2. cx., 2; Jer. 4, 10;
Mic vii, 14j AS TO the pi esent experience,
we can rejoice that the sting o. death, which
is sin Il Cor. xv 55-57), has been taken
away Sin stung Jesus to death, and left its
sting in Him, so that death cannot now
harm any child of God. We may never die,
but, like Enoch and Elijah, be trans
lated body and soul II Cor. 'xv. 81, 52. But
if Jesus should yet tarry awhile and we pass
promise will be as good in death as it has
been in life. II, the Lord thy God, will
hold thy right hand, saving, Fear not.
will help thee" (sa xiii, 13l TO die is gain,
to depart and be with Christ is far better.
Absent from the body is present with the
Lord Ill Cor. ", s.; Phil. l., 81, 23. Not for
one moment will tine Saviour leave us, so
that abiding in Him there may not even be
a shadow. Many have found it so, and found
il sunshine all the way.
S. Thou preparest taEle before me In
the presence OF mine enemies; thou anoint.
est my head with oil; my cup rupneth over. !"
Following for moment the kingdom line OF
truth we turn to Isa. XIV, 6-9, and at the
very time of the overthrow Of lsraers enc
mics we read Of a great feast for the people
OF God. Zach. xiv, AMI Rev. xix, may DO
read in the light OF this with great profit.
The amounting speaks OF priests and things,
and suggests 1sa. Xxi. 6 for Israel and Rev.
", 9, 10 for the church, in connection with
Ps. cx., for HIM who is both King Of Israel
and head OF the church. As to the daily Ii fe
OF the Christian, enemies are everywhere,
seen and unseen, but thu soul that has
learned to feed on Christ has a continual
feast, even in the presence OF his enemies, as
He delighted in the Fathers will and made
that His meat and drink John iy., "a; VI.
3S,. Let us do likewise and our cups shall
run over
s. surely goodness and mercy shall fol.
low me all the days of my life; and 1 will
dwell in the house OF the Lord forever"
Israel shall dwell safely IN her own land;
they shall obtain joy aud gladness, and sor-
row and signing shall flee away lisa. XIV,
10. The church shall dwell in the New Jer-
usalem, the glory Of God will tighten it and
the Lamb be tue light thereof (Rev. xxi, 2S.
The goodness and mercy of the Lord shall
fill the whole earth; we shall see it and enjoy
it in all the vigor and freshness of eternal
youth if only we are redeemed by the pi &C.
ious blood Of the Lamb. AS to the present
life "He who spared not His own Son but
delivered Him up for us all, how shall He nos
| with Him also freely give us all thlnSa
And inasmuch as all things are for our
sakes, and working together for our good,
and He will never leave us nor forsake US,
how can it be anything but goodness and
mercy all the way along to all who are the
house Of Chrise?-L@son Helper.