Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-14
Sunday School Lesson for November IS Discussed
by Rev. ]. E. Gilbert, D. D., Secretary
American Society of Religious Education.
THE LORD OUR SHEPHERD. Psalm xxiii

when salvation flows like a river is here
expressed There is no apprehension or
want The heart Is at peace with God.
II has been made to drink Of the water OF
life. which in a man becomes a well or
water springing up into everlasting life.
Uohn. iv:14)
PATHS Verse 3p-Our author con-
tinues to use the Illustrations with
been fed and watered. when 1t had iaid
down In the green grass and been re-
freshed. the life Is restored Whereas
before the sheep were faint now they are
strong They are therefore prepared to
follow the shepherd to some other part
OF the country. where there may be good
pasture and water. But in that case the
shepherd once more displays his care for
the sheep He selects a good path IN
which they may be safely conducted TO
their destination and they follow him.
assured that all is we'll This is parallel
in the life of the righteous. They. too.
are strengthened by the food and drink
when they calmly rest where God has
appointed good things for them. Then
they go under His leadership into various
scenes ard experiences. But the way.
the path, along which they travel, is one
of righteousness. There are no dangers
in it. Being led. the travellers may tread
without fear.
VALLEY Verse D-see that flock
as it passes along the old encampment
to the new. At times 1t is moving along
NAV tread at time. every foot being
placed with utmost care. At other times
1t descends to the vale. Swallowed by the
overhanging cliffs. where wild beasts
might rush out and fall suddenly upon
the sheep and bear them away. That
valley of death has been the place where
the timid might fear. but all who re-
member the shepherds love and care.
who see him before and hear his voice Of
invitation. dismiss all their fear and go
boldly forward. So is II with the man
who trusts God Sometimes he is in a
clear place far removed from all tempta-
ton and alarm. Sometimes he realizes
that there is but step between him and
death Il Sam. xx:3). Indeed, all along
his pilgrim way he feels that at any time
he may be called to try the uncertain
ties Of another world. But looking unto
the Lord. who Is ever with him. he ( vars
no evil. The rod OF the shepherd delivers
the fallen sheep. So the hand Of God Is
reached out to save His own.
TABLE Verse 5).--Thus far the
psalm used the facts OF pastoral life as H.
iustrations At this point the image is
changed and the author ushers into the
scenes Of a banquet hall. probably such
as were prepared for the guests OF kings.
The table is set and the feast is spread.
Lord Matt. xxii:4. There Is thus pre-
scented the rich provision made for men In
the gospel. ample for every want. sprea6
out in full sight of all beholders The
u
are made to see what wonderful things
God does for him. how he ministers to
him with a lavish hand. Continuing this
figure. the psalmist declares that his head
was anointed with oil. referring to the
customs at feasts to honor guests IN this
way. distinction which began with the
great and gradually extended to all whom
any one would especially recognize Matt.
xxvi:O. MY cup runneth over" refer
ring to the wine cup used at feasts. and
blessing
bestowed by the Almighty.
PROSPECT Verse $50 much was
retroSpectlve-On account OF what had
actually occurred in the life of David.
gladly rehearsed at this time as a tribute
to God. No one tires in telling what good
has come to him psalm. lxvi:16. 1t ID
ever source of profit to him who tells
and to him who hears. and the recital.
pleasing to God (Mal., iii:16). But the
past is always the background for the
future. Hope springs in the heart when
memory recalls the good days that ara
look into the future Surely" he says.
as II he felt certain about the matter,
the result of a reasoning process. pos
sibly. or of the spirits influence upon the
mind. goodness and mercy shall follow
me- AS he goes forward he believes
that Gods blessing will come after him.
as If a servant went behind a minister to
his master. And looking still further
down the way or life. POSSIBLY TO Its END.
certainly to the realization Of its better
state. he exclaims. II shall dwell In the
house Of the Lord forever in the temple
at Jerusalem first. and afterward in the
heavenly mansions (John, xiv:2).
REFLECTIONS-Th is In this
lesson none Of that sorrow resulting from
sin. neither that JOY found In pardon.
which entered so largely INTO the 3,st and
SD psalms. The weeping. the burden. the
Anguish. all are gone. Here we have the
state of the soul when conscious OF the
divine favor. when rejoicing daily in the
many blessings bestowed. What a holy
light shines upon the pathway Of the
truly righteous The best things known
to the ancients-the sweets of pastoral life
and the honors and pleasures Of feas.s In
palaces-are taken to convey to the mind
some faint idea of what the good enjoy.
Material and temporal things are made to
figure forth spiritual things. These do not
come after the storm Of penitence, as a
contrast with former distresses-but they
are the abiding and perpetual good be-
slowed by good God upon them who
walk uprightly. The utterance OF David
may be taken up by millions who with
him have shared these precious expert
ences and confidently looked forward to
even better things.