Gods Sabbath

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E NTERING INTO G OD ’ S S ABBATH R EST

use for a faulty or unreliable compass which cannot provide de pendable guidance. The situation is even more critical in a high speed aircraft traveling through clouds in busy airspace. Cut off from all ground reference, the pilot must be able to rely totally on the instrument guidance systems. Similarly, we need guidance every step of the way. We need to learn that we cannot trust our own faulty judgment, for our lack of wisdom born of human frailty and limited experience, and our lack of knowledge, renders us unfit to choose our course safely. Only God has sufficient wisdom, and knowledge of all the factors involved, past, present and future, to be able to mark out the best route for us to follow from day to day and year to year. Our confidence needs to be in Him as our Naviga tor, rather than ourselves. We will therefore now examine some of the significant prom ises in which God assures us of His leadership as our Head. We are Sheep of His Pasture From the depths of a heart filled with infinite love, God prom ises to give us just what is needed—continual guidance. David knew this blessing in his life and sang of it in these wonderful and inspiring words: “The L ORD 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 L ORD for ever.” Psalm 23. The human guidance David gave to his sheep was constant and reliable. During his waking hours, there was never a mo ment of the day or night when his watchcare failed. David could see that the care he gave his sheep was a picture of the greater, and even more faithful, care that his heavenly Father gave him. This truth was so beautiful and wonderful to him that he could not help but express it in psalms of praise.