“The Abundant Life in the LORD”

ppt Have you seen the 1980 film “The Elephant Man,” based on the true story of Joseph (“John”) Merrick, an Englishman in the late 19th century? He was born with severe physical deformities, making him a circus sideshow for much of his life and subject to abuse. John Merrick, who became known as the Elephant Man, always wore a sack on his head to avoid being taunted for his seemingly different appearance. One day, with Dr. Frederick’s help, John was able to stay for the rest of his life and be treated humanely, but he couldn’t escape people’s teasing at the hospital.

However, with Dr. Frederick’s encouragement, Merrick started to open his heart and talk. The doctor recognised that he was very knowledgeable, tender, capable, and intelligent. Having had his human dignity thoroughly trampled upon in his short 27-year life, he cried out, “I am not an animal. I am a human being!”- I was heartbreak in this scene. Then, the most powerful and beautiful scene in the film comes later when he recites Psalm 23, the Psalm of David. He boldly announces that the Lord is his shepherd. He has found solace and loving acceptance in the all-embracing arms of God. He then said, “I…I used to read the Bible every day. I know it very well.” Psalm 23 was his favourite.

ppt Psalm 23, which David wrote as a reflection on his time as a shepherd, begins, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” On Earth, we always have so many things we lack, but David confesses that he has nothing to lack. What a life of satisfaction! His confidence in God is great.

“The Lord is my Shepherd; He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul; he leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.” These verses are all focused on his God. This psalmist claims God as a provider, sustainer, and life-giving force. As a shepherd tends sheep in the field, he must ensure that there is enough water for them to drink, enough green pastures to feed them, and provide them with safety and shelter, protecting them from all harm. David knew his flock was completely dependent on and trusted the shepherd.

If the shepherd is good, the sheep will be protected and live in comfort. Yet if the shepherd is not care well, it will starve or be exposed to danger or even death. Well, I don’t think any of us are strong and independent. We are God-made and utterly dependent upon God, just as sheep are dependent upon the shepherd. Yes, we work, save, study, and plan, but ultimately, God meets our needs. God is the one who makes us rest and slows us down and restores our very being.

The psalmist continues, “He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.” In other words, despite simplistic imaginings about our own goodness, God is the one who enables us to be good and to do any good at all. Any right paths we take in this life are the result not of any particular wisdom on our part but of the wise direction of God.

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff- they comfort me.”

In Psalm 22, we can see David’s pleading prayer, which is completely different from Psalm 23. When he walk through the valley of deep darkness of his life, he cries out to God, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning?… I am a worm, and not human; scorned by others, and despised by the people”. He brings all conditions and circumstances to God. The psalmist reminds us that God is a powerful protector and also suffers with us in our pain, sorrow, and loss. But like a shepherd with a rod and staff, God guides us and fights off predators that would harm us.

God’s protective power is so great that the psalmist boldly declares, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” Joshua and Caleb spend 40 days spying on Canaan with ten other spies. The ten spies say the Canaanites are stronger than we are and compare themselves to grasshoppers. But Joshua and Caleb say, “They are more than bread for us; their protection is removed from them, and the LORD is with us; do not fear them.” It’s a difference in thought and perspective.

We are invited to enter a room full of enemies. God says to us, “Come this way. I have prepared a banquet for you. Have a seat.” So we sit down and begin to eat the feast prepared by God, and we eat right in front of our enemies. If that’s not enough, God pours oil on our head and fills the cup until it overflows. Isn’t this a confession of knowing that the Lord is our shepherd and that God is our host?

Christians face physical and spiritual enemies at any time, but we can rejoice in the end verse: “Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord all my days.”

God is pursuing us in every moment of our life, hounding us with goodness and kindness. What kind of God is this? The psalmist says this God is our shepherd, who grants our needs, causes us to rest and be restored, leads us in the right way of living, protects us from evil, honours and blesses us, and never stops pursuing us with goodness and kindness. What kind of creature are we? Well, wouldn’t a sheep that is dependent on a shepherd have a much more abundant life than a superstar who only believes in himself?

Our Lord is the shepherd; God is also our host. Throughout the entirety of our lives, we should never lose sight of the fact that we dwell in the house of the Lord. We rejoice in the constant presence and attentiveness of a God who has cared for us and will always care for us, both as individuals and as a community of the faithful.