Dr, Mike Murphy
September 23 ,2023
Recently I asked several people, “What would be your perfect day?” Some of their answers made me smile. One woman told me that perfection would come if for just one day she could get her husband and her children to actually listen to her. Another elderly woman told me that her perfect day would be finding a spot close to the door when she went to the local Walmart. One first grade teacher told me that her perfect day would be not having to use the words ‘be quiet” more than twenty times. One man told me that his would involve the words “lottery” and “jackpot”. While another man told me his perfect day would only come when the Marlins again won the World Series. As a big sports fan, I quickly let him know that his perfect day would first require a miracle!
After hearing many responses, one thing quickly became apparent. Each had a different definition of perfection. Some defined perfection in the lives of others, while some saw it only occurring when it involved their own life.
With this in mind, I looked up the definition of the word perfect. Merriam-Webster describes perfect as “flawless, to be made complete”. So by this definition. for someone to experience perfection, one would first have to be made flawless, they would have to be made complete. So what makes us complete? How can we recognize perfection if we have never seen it?
Only One who is perfect can show us what perfection looks like. And only One who is perfect, could ever show us what is needed to stand perfect in His sight. Each day, Christ shows us a glimpse of that perfection, and gives us a little glimpse of what that perfection could look like in our lives. Each day, Christ shows us the patience that perfection requires. The patience it takes to understand each of us, and to give us a way to overcome our imperfections. Sometimes, He shows us a glimpse of this perfection in a single moment. While other times, it requires patience, taking us a lifetime to understand.
To best understand perfection, we need to look no farther than the writings of an imperfect man. A man by the name of David. It would be hard to find a more imperfect man than David. But at times, the Lord gives us a glimpse of perfection as He worked through the life of David. I often ask myself, why was the Lord so patient with David? And how did the Lord often achieve such perfection through the life of such an imperfect man? The answer is quite simple! David knew his imperfection, but he also knew where he could find perfection. David knew that perfection could only be found in the name of the Lord!
Anyone who may doubt this, need look no farther than David’s own words. They need only to read the twenty-third Psalm. Let us take a look at the words of David in this psalm, and see the perfection that David describes.
The Lord Is My Shepherd(Perfect Salvation)
Sheep were completely at the mercy of the shepherd. As a shepherd, David understood this well. He knew that the very life of the sheep depended on the shepherd. The shepherd, feed and tended to the sheep. The fields of ancient Israel were filled with roaming beasts, that would attack the sheep. It was the shepherd that protected the sheep. He was willing to lay down his life so that the sheep could live. The shepherd also knew that sheep were easily frightened, and could easily become confused. Sheep would often become lost, and could be lead astray by outside distractions. The shepherd would keep the flock in sight, guiding them to where they needed to be.
It is no mistake that Christ is called the Good Shepherd(John 10:1-18, Hebrew 13:20). It is Christ who pulls us close, and gave His life so that we may live. He offers us guidance, and keeps us from the evil of this world. In Christ we see our Shepherd, and we see our perfect salvation!
Two other words of this verse I want us to also look at. David writes the word “is”. Not that the Lord “was” or “will be”, but “is” our Shepherd. David knew that the Lord was right there, with him every minute, guiding his every step. Also, look at the word ”my”. David tells us the Lord is “my” shepherd. Not that the Lord is the shepherd of the flock, but is a shepherd who looks after each of His sheep. David tells us that God is our ‘personal shepherd”, that His perfect salvation is for each of us.
I Shall Not Want(Perfect Fulfillment)
When the sheep were hungry, the shepherd feed them. When they were cold, the shepherd found them warmth. And when the sheep were tired, the shepherd found them a place of peaceful rest. The shepherd provided for the needs of the sheep. When we, as believers in Christ, follow our Shepherd, we have the promise that He will provide us with everything we will need(Luke 12:22-30). The Lord not only provides us with everything we will need to find Him, but to live our life for Him. In Christ, every need is fulfilled, because He alone is our perfect fulfillment.
He Maketh Me To Lie Down In Green Pastures(Perfect Rest)
When we look at the landscape around Bethlehem, we soon realize that green pastures were not around every corner. The shepherd would have to lead the sheep through trying terrain so that the sheep could find the nourishment and comfort that the green pastures offered. The same is with us today. In our hectic world, Christ often has to slow us down, giving us a moment to be fed by His Word(Matthew 4:4), and a time to rest in His Presence(Hebrews 4:9-10). Only in Christ do we find the nourishment to sustain us, and the perfect rest to replenish and comfort us.
He Leadeth Me Beside The Still Waters(Perfect Peace)
Despite how thirsty they may become, sheep will not drink from moving waters. So often the shepherd would dam up or block the streams so that the waters would become still, and the sheep would drink. In Christ, we find our still and living waters(John 4:14), the quiet of His Presence that brings us perfect peace.
He Restoreth My Soul(Perfect Restoration)
When the shepherd had lead the sheep to the lush pastures, and they had been brought to still waters, the sheep would become calm, taking comfort in the situation they found themselves in. Their life and energy would be restored, preparing them for the next day. In Christ we find our redeeming grace, the words and waters that replenish and restore us, preparing us for whatever may lie ahead. In the fields that Christ has lead us, and in the waters that only Christ can offer us, we find our perfect restoration.
He Leadeth Me In The Paths Of Righteousness For His Name’s Sake(Perfect Guidance)
The Hebrew word used here for paths actually means “well traveled paths”. Sometimes the shepherd would have to lead the sheep great distances in order to find the fields and water they needed. As he did, the shepherd would take his sheep on proven paths, those that had been traveled many times before. The shepherd knew these paths well, as he had traveled these paths his whole life. He knew these paths would keep his sheep from dangers, and he knew the trouble that could lie on other paths.
Like the shepherd, Christ guides us down proven paths, paths that steer us away from the dangers of the world around us. Paths that are safe, the trusted “paths of righteousness”. Our Shepherd knows these paths like the back of His hand, and offers us perfect guidance.
Yea, Though I Walk Through The Valley Of The Shadow Of Death, I Will Fear No Evil(Perfect Shelter)
Sheep often made easy targets for the predators that roamed the area. And when not threatened by predators, sheep could often be their worst enemies. When not watched over constantly, sheep would often wander off on their own. As they did, they would often become fearful and startled, some so frightened it would cause them to have a heart attack, bringing on their own death. Knowing this, the shepherd would gather the sheep to him, protecting them from the predators that could lie in the darkness.
Our world today is also filled with predators, agents of Satan that lie in the darkness waiting to strike(1 Peter 5:8). In the protective hands of Christ, evil cannot find a way to attack us, and a way to destroy us. Through Christ’ perfect shelter, we are safeguarded from the dangers this world would bring our way.
For Thou Art With Me(Perfect Companionship)
Each day, the shepherd would often speak aloud, enabling the sheep to feel secure by hearing his voice. It reminded the sheep of his presence, and they took comfort that he was always nearby. The same is with us today. We can take comfort that Christ is always close, and walks each step we take with us. We hear His voice as He is there to comfort us, to calm our fears, to give us encouragement, and to remind us of His ways. Each day we hear Him speak, and we know that right besides us stands our perfect companion.
Thy Rod And Thy Staff They Comfort Me(Perfect Comfort)
From the moment a boy began to train to become a shepherd, he carried a rod and a staff. The rod was used for protection, and could be deadly in the hands of a gifted shepherd. The shepherd would also use the rod for another very important purpose. As the sheep would pass by, the shepherd would hold the rod over the sheep, using it to help him count each. This brought his attention to each sheep, ensuring he knew and recognized all as part of his fold.
The staff quickly identified the shepherd. No other profession has ever had the need to carry a piece of equipment like a staff. The staff was ideal to care for and manage sheep. With its’ length, the shepherd would use it to guide the sheep. Tapping them on the side as they went, keeping each in line. The hooked end also served a special purpose. With it the shepherd could gently, but firmly, pull the sheep back to him as it began to stray. And it enabled the shepherd to lift a young lamb out of danger, placing him back near the comfort of his mother and the other sheep.
In the hands of our skilled Shepherd, the rod and staff protect us the same today. He uses them to protect us from the evil and dangers around us, and to gentle bring us back into the fold when we begin to stray. Keeping a count of us, knowing when even one of us are not there. We find perfect comfort when we look at Christ, and see the rod and the staff He has in His hands.
Thou Preparest A Table Before Me In The Presence Of Mine Enemies(Perfect Provision)
We have seen as David described to us the perfect shepherd, now he shows us the perfect host. Despite what many may think, the two did go hand in hand. As people would travel the countryside from city to city, it was often the shepherd who would serve as their host. Offering them the comfort of his house or tent, and the hospitality of his table. Custom taught that once a man entered your dwelling, he could no longer be viewed as your enemy, but only as your valued guest. The value of the guest went beyond measure, and the host would protect the guest with his very life. All the host had was available to the guest; his home, his food, his fellowship, and his protection.
No matter what we may have done, or what we may have said, when we accept the Lord’s invitation and enter His presence, we become His valued guest. As we find ourselves a guest in His house, we soon discover the mercy and the grace of our Host. His offers us all He has, and gives us all we need. In His house we lack for nothing, and find that all is provided for us.
Thou Anointest My Head With Oil(Perfect Blessing)
As a guest arrived in your house, one of the greatest honors you could bestow on them would be to anoint their head with oil. It showed the value you shared for your esteemed guest, and placed them in a position of honor. It showed your guest that you viewed their presence the same as if your house was being visited by a king or a priest.
As we, today, accept Christ’ invitation, and enter His house, we too are anointed with oil(1 John 2:20). We are made to be kingdom priest(Revelation 1:6), and we are given the perfect blessing of knowing that we will reign with Christ forever.
My Cup Runneth Over(Perfect Joy)
As the host sat his guest at his table and welcomed them, he would overflow their cup. This showed his guest they were welcome to all he had, and could stay as long as they wanted.
As we sit at the Lord’s table, we watch as He overflows our cup. He offers us all He has in abundance, and assures us that His house is now ours(John 14:3). We can take joy in the assurance that our cup overflows.
Surely Goodness And Mercy Shall Follow Me All The Days Of My Life(Perfect Care)
As the guest was so graciously welcomed, he would often reply, “Your goodness surrounds me”. He was telling his host that his act was unselfish, giving of himself so freely showed a goodness that blessed all those around him.
As we find ourselves at the Lord’s table, we cannot help but see and feel His goodness. His mercy and grace so overwhelms our life, that His goodness shows in each of us. There is no goodness that does not start with the hands of the Lord(James 1:17). And as a guest at His table, we have the promise of having a place at that table each of our eternal days(John 3:16). We have the promise that the Lords perfect care will always be there, filling each of us with His goodness.
And I Will Dwell In The House Of The Lord Forever(Perfect Future)
As we read this verse, we watch as David took the graciousness of the host to a level no man could know or understand through his own logic. There was once a famous Greek saying that said, “Guest are like a fish, after three days they begin to stink.” A guest in the Lord’s house is not just welcome for three days, or three weeks, or even for three years. We receive an everlasting invitation, we are welcome in His house forever. Forever is an amount of time most of us can never imagine. But we have the promise that an eternity as a guest in the Lord’s House will be nothing short of amazing(1 Corinthians 2:9). We have the promise of a perfect future.
No one can read this psalm and not see the true understanding that David had of the Lord’s plan of perfection for each of our lives. The love and desire that David had for the Lord. His yearning to change the imperfect man he knew he was, to the perfect man the Lord knew he would one day be. The eternal perfection that David knew he would one day experience at the Shepherd’s house. But David’s story should not surprise us. His story is each of our stories. Each of us see the Lord’s perfection as His hand moves in our lives. Sometimes we see a glimpse of that perfection in the most peaceful of times, when His perfect rest and His perfect joy envelopes us. Other times we feel that perfection in the most turbulent of times, when His perfect guidance and His perfect comfort encompasses us. As we watch the chaos of this world around us, I pray each of you will seek a glimpse of perfection. That each of you will seek the Lord’s face, and that each of you will find His plan of perfection. I pray that each of you will accept the invitation that is awaiting you to the Shepherd’s house. That you will find your way to His table, and smile as your cup overflows. That your eyes will water as His anointing oil runs down your face. I pray that one day I will share with each of you the joy and experience of a true perfect day!
Praying David’s words will become your words!
