Picture credit: Upwards Church
“The Lord is my shepherd; I lack nothing.”
Psalm 23:1
When David wrote this psalm, he expressed his thoughts about God. In the first line, he refers to God as "the Lord." In the original Old Testament Hebrew, the name "Lord" is translated as "Jehovah," which means "the existing One." This phrase is in the present tense; it describes God as always existing—not just in the past or the future. Therefore, as the existing One, He did not come into being at any point, and there will never be a time when He does not exist.
Returning to the Bible's beginning in Genesis 1, we read, “In the beginning, God.” Here, we see God was present at the start of the creation story. By definition, He existed before the world's creation; thus, only God could have created the world. No one else was present to undertake this act of creation.
At each stage of the creation story, God looked at what He had made and declared it good. However, on the sixth day, when He created man, He looked at humanity and said it was "very good." Today, God looks down on you and me and sees us as VERY good. How does that make you feel? Many struggle with low self-esteem, but it is essential to remember that God thinks you are very good.
Now, picture the people around you—your neighbours, co-workers, or anyone you find challenging to deal with, even those who have hurt you in the past. Try to see them through God’s eyes; He also views them as very good that He sent His Son to die on the cross for them. Therefore, we must first reevaluate how we perceive others in light of God’s sacrifice of His Son, Jesus.
Having reflected on the world’s beginning, let’s look forward to the end. In the Book of Revelation, we are told that the Earth and Heaven will be cast aside, and a new heaven and a new earth will come into existence. John writes in chapter 21, “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away.” Here, we learn that this world will eventually come to an end. God will bring this world to an end despite having created it and declared it good. And God will establish a new earth.
Moreover, we know from the beginning of time that we are mortal; we will all face death eventually. Adam and Eve, the first man and woman, died, and we will all die eventually. Yet, the wonderful truth is that for those who believe that Jesus Christ is Lord, there is the promise of His second coming.
Jesus came to Earth two thousand years ago and returned to be with God the Father. In the end, at His second coming, those who have accepted Him as their personal Savior and Lord will be taken to this new earth, where they will remain in God’s presence forever. Again, let’s think about those with whom we struggle. Not only does God see them as very good, but He also desires them to be with Him in eternity, and it is our responsibility to reach out to them. Let us pray for a change of mindset so we can do this.
There is no true end because God does not end—God is eternal. He has no beginning or end. Before creation, God existed alone, but after the second coming of Jesus Christ, those who believe will be with God forever. The Creator God, who thinks you are very good, will be with you for eternity. The writer of the letter to the Hebrews states, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” This verse emphasises that Jesus Christ is God, existing before the beginning of time and continuing to live forever.
The critical question for us today is: Do you believe this? Do you believe that Jesus Christ is Lord? Do you believe that before the world was created, God the Father and God the Son agreed that the Son would come down to Earth and be the world's Saviour? Do you believe Jesus came from His Father’s presence, became a vulnerable baby, and grew up as a man? Do you believe He lived a sinless life, went to the cross, and died for our sins? Do you believe He took upon Himself all the sins of the world so that we could be made sinless? If you believe this, then you can be one of those who will dwell in God’s presence on the new earth.
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Thank you, and God bless you.
Robert
I always appreciate your beautifully simplistic, yet profound, Biblical essays, Pastor Irvine. Imagine that "sheep" are actually the most ignominious barnyard animals - very confused and easily led astray - rather interesting isn't it that our Beloved Creator God refers to us in this manner. I smile when I think about it - most people actually believe THEY are the 'masters of their lives'. We who have believed on the Good Shepherd know that to be a complete deception of the once most beautiful angel Yahweh ever created - despicable Lucifer!!
SHALOM, Pastor Irvine.
Imagine being so filled up with Grace, that you are carrying that Shepherd inside your womb! So much so, that when you go to the Hill Country to visit Elisabeth, her baby John leaps for Joy. Just like King David did in the Hill Country in front of the first Ark of the Mosaic Covenant. As he sang and danced to the return of the Old Arc containing Manna, the Staff of Arron and Tablets of the 10 Commandments. Returning the Ark to Jerusalem.
There in front of Elizabeth, is the new Ark of the New covenant. Containing the Bread of Life, the Highest Priest-King prophet, and the consolidation of the 10 Commandments into 2. 1-3=Love God All in. 4-10=Love your neighbor as your self. In the New Jerusalem, the Kingdom that can never be ruled by Rebelling and Protesting against God (Lucifer). As Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit to the point of exclaiming “Blessed are you among women, and Blessed is the fruit of thy womb.” Taking and delivering the Good Shepherd to the world in Bethlehem.
Pray it Forward, 🙏✝️🙏