Greetings Redeemer Family,

We begin our service this week by reading together the 23rd Psalm. This passage of scripture is very familiar to many of us – having heard it at weddings, funerals, Sunday School classes and written on any number of coffee mugs. With familiar passages like this, it is easy to zone out and miss the deep meaning in what we are reading. At the same time, there is also a reason why this passage has become so familiar. It touches on something very common and basic in the human soul. It is the need for rest. The need for provision. The need for loving leadership. It is the need for the Good Shepherd.

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

We begin our service with songs of praise up to the One who is both our Good Shepherd and the mighty, sovereign God of all.

Throughout the endless ages
You will be crowned with praises
Lord Most High
Exalted in every nation
Sovereign of all creation
Lord Most High be magnified

Who has told ev’ry lightning bolt where it should go
Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow?
Who imagined the sun and gives source to its light
Yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night?
None can fathom

One of my favorite hymn texts is Praise to the Lord the Almighty, written by Joachim Neander (how’s that for a great name!). The writer does a wonderful job of reassuring the reader of God’s fatherly care for His people, alluding both to God’s power and His promises. But the song doesn’t stop there, as though God meeting our needs was an end to itself. Instead, the writer rightfully uses these promises as a catalyst for faithful and thankful worship.

Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper thy work and defend thee;
Surely His goodness and mercy here daily attend thee.
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do,
If with His love He befriend thee.

Praise to the Lord, O let all that is in me adore Him!
All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before Him.
Let the “Amen” sound from His people again,
Gladly fore’er we adore Him.

This week, Mike will be teaching from John 10, as Jesus identifies Himself as the Good Shepherd, who lays down His life for His sheep. One of the things that stood out to me as I read this passage this week is how John 10 contrasts with our common reading of Psalm 23. So often we see the pastoral phrases of Psalm 23 as promising a life of tranquility and peace – with mention of quiet waters and green pastures. John 10, on the other hand, is filled with rather violent imagry. There is mention of robbers and theives and attacking wolves – and even the death of the Shepherd.

I find something strangely reassuring about this contrast. Jesus is not ignorant to the hardship of the world. It doesn’t take Him by surprise. To the contrary, He faces the brokenness of sin and death and suffering head-on. He gives us promises of His care and provision because this world is a difficult place. It is good to be reminded that – in all of our troubles – He will never leave us, nor forsake us.

Jesus, lover of my soul, let me to Thy bosom fly,
While the nearer waters roll, while the tempest still is high.
Hide me, O my Savior, hide, ’Til the storm of life is past;
Safe into the haven guide; O receive my soul at last.

Plenteous grace with Thee is found, grace to cover all my sin;
Let the healing streams abound; make and keep me pure within.
Thou of life the fountain art, freely let me take of Thee;
Spring Thou up within my heart; rise to all eternity.

These promises of God’s providential care are echoed in our confessional reading this week, from the first question of the Heidelberg Catechism.

Q. What is your only comfort in life and in death?
A. That I am not my own, but belong with body and soul, both in life and in death, to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ. He has fully paid for all my sins with His precious blood, and has set me free from all the power of the devil. He also preserves me in such a way that without the will of my heavenly Father not a hair can fall from my head; indeed, all things must work together for my salvation. Therefore, by His Holy Spirit He also assures me of eternal life and makes me heartily willing and ready from now on to live for Him.

I love that promise of eternal life. The hardships of sin and suffering in this world are not the end. Christ took all of that curse upon Himself on the cross, and proved His victory by rising from the grave. The promises of restored souls and dwelling with God forever are more than just tranquil cliches. Rather, it is a deeper reality that Christ has prepared for those whom He loves. So we end our service this week singing of our freedom in Christ and the security of our eternal inheritance with Him.

Mercy speaks by Jesus’ blood;
Hear and sing, ye sons of God;
Justice satisfied indeed;
Christ has full atonement made.

“All her debts were cast on Me,
And she must and shall go free.
All her debts were cast on Me,
And she must and shall go free.”

This text sometimes confuses people, as there are 2 different “voices” being used. The verses are the voices of believers reminding one another of the victory we have in Jesus. The chorus is the voice of Christ speaking over His people, saying again that our debts – the unpaid penalty for our sins – have been paid by His work on the cross. Because we are no longer under that restriction, Christ commands that we live out the freedom that is now ours.

So my prayer for you as you prepare for service this week is that you would be reminded anew that the promises of God are not just cliches on a Hallmark card, but are powerful encouragement in the midst of life’s struggles. May you take comfort knowing that Christ was no stranger to suffering Himself. Yet He took all of the punishment of our sins upon Himself, and we can live celebrating the victory that is ours. God is for us, and we celebrate His goodness together.

Eager to rejoice with you this Sunday,
Tim Sharpe
Director of Worship