- By Rev. Chandran J. Lite
- Posted 01/10/2016
Psalm 48-Part 2 3/1/2015
Psalm 48:14 – The Personal Guide
It was William Ernest Henley, in Invictus, wrote, “I am the master of my fate. I am the captain of my soul”
We live in a God –denying culture and world. Each man wants to be the captain of his Soul, to run his life the way he likes it. The heart cry of today’s generation is: “ Let me guide myself, lead my life on my terms, in my way, to my desired end. But the Psalmist in his wisdom realizes that he can’t guide himself. He needs help-help from God. The Psalmist insightfully acknowledges “For this God is our God……our Guide” (V.14). God is personalized. The Great God is our Guide.
Jesus Christ is called the great Shepherd, we are his sheep. The Author, Philip Keller was a sheep rancher and has many insights to share about sheep. In his informative and insightful book, “A Shepherd looks at Psalm 23” makes the following observations: “Sheep require more attention than any other livestock. They just can’t take care of themselves. Unless their Shepherd makes them move on, sheep will actually ruin a pasture, eating every blade of grass, until finally a fertile pasture is nothing but barren soil. Sheep are near sighted and very stubborn, but easily frightened. An entire flock can be stampeded by a Jack Rabbit. They are timid and feeble creatures. The only recourse is to run if no shepherd is there to protect them. Sheep has no homing instincts. A dog, horse, cat, or a bird can find its way home, but when asleep gets out, it’s a goner unless someone rescues it. So the over-riding principle of Psalm 23 is that sheep can’t make it without a shepherd”. Isiah 53:6 says we are like sheep gone astray. We all need a Guide – the true and eternal Guide to Guide us through the wilderness of this life. But until this eternal Guide becomes your “My Guide” and “My Shepherd”, He can’t guide you.
Have you accepted Christ, the great shepherd, as your Lord and Savior? Then he will hold you by your hand, Guide in the paths of righteousness forever. You will never get lost, never stumble and fall, never lack in Joy and peace all your days through.
Prayer: My loving Shepherd, I willingly and gladly commit my life to your unfailing guidance. Guide me on your terms, in your way to your destined end.
In Jesus name
Pastor Lite