Sermon was from Psalm 23 on yesterday, with special emphasis on v1 “The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.” and v5 “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.”
When I was a child I only went trick or treating once. There was no deep or profound spiritual reasoning behind it. It just did not make sense to me. I was not one to do what others did just because every one else was doing it if it did not make sense to me. My parents had a stash of candy that ran deep and was of the best quality. All of my favorite candy in abundance was at home. Also this was a time when there were reports every year of people putting all manner of dangerous materials in their candy. So while I was was out in the cold (I grew up in Albany, NY) the thought hit me, why am I out here going door to door begging for candy that at best is not as good as what I have in my warm home and at worst could cause me harm? I hung up my vampire cape and plastic teeth and that was pretty much it for me. I was the official Woods Halloween greeter/candy distributor after that with all the candy I could ever want at my disposal. I knew where my source was.
Well the same applies for us as Christians. Psalm 23 lets us know that I already lack for nothing (v1) and that a bounty has been prepared for me despite the attacks of the enemy, right in their presence (v5). All provided by our Father in heaven. There is no need to go door to door begging because we have all that we need already.
We knock on the door of the car dealership or mortgage broker thinking that we will have joy when we have the right house or car, but end up in debt up to our eyeballs and no closer to joy. Looking for a treat we often get tricked. We knock on the door of that man or woman looking for them to make us whole, but end up alone and disappointed. Looking for a treat we often get tricked. We knock on the door of that employer thinking that if we get that right job with the right title and make enough money we will be alright, but end up miserable. Looking for a treat we get tricked.
Truth is we already have access to the best. Our every need has been provided for. There are many doors to knock on, but there is only one true source and it is found in the House of the Lord. Even when things seem darkest and we find ourselves at our lowest ebb we can take comfort, because the Lord is with us (v4).
Do not look for shortcuts, but rest in the Lord. Seek Him first and all of your needs will be provided for, now and for all eternity.
And in closing I lift up v6, ”Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”
God bless,
Eric
