This message from Psalm 23, titled
The Shepherd and His Sheep in the Valley, was preached by Daniel
E. Parks on April 12, 2023, during
the funeral service of his mother, Louise Hemrick Parks. The wee lamb was lost But the
good shepherd came to seek and to save those who were lost,
and he is 100% successful in doing so. He did not fail in
this instance. He ascended and descended hills,
crossed valleys, forded streams, traversed thickets, and endured
the heat of day and the cold of night until he found her. He called her by name, for he
knows all his sheep by name, and told her, Wee lamb, you are
mine, and I have come to take you to my fold. He tenderly picked
her up, placed her across his shoulders, secured her feet with
his hands and trekked back to the fold. He there shouted, Rejoice
with me, for I have found my sheep who was lost. They and
he rejoiced greatly, and so did the angels around God's throne
in heaven. The wee lamb fatally followed
the good shepherd until she became an old ewe. She followed him
daily in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. She followed
him daily to green pastures where the grass was so abundant that
she could graze while lying down. She followed him daily to still
waters where her thirst was quenched with the water of life. And he
restored her soul every time she experienced sadness or grief. One day, the good shepherd said
to the old ewe, come with me. One last time, the old ewe replied,
good shepherd, you know, I would if I could, but I cannot. My aged body is so feeble and
frail and so afflicted with many infirmities that I cannot arise."
The good shepherd said, I carried you when you were a wee lamb
and I can carry you now. He then stooped and picked her
up, set her on her feet and said, we will hold on to each other.
Let us go. Off they went into another path
of righteousness, but this time they passed the green pasture
without stopping. They passed also the still water
without stopping. Then they began descending into
a valley that became darker and drearier with every step. Good Shepherd, she said, you
have never brought me this way before. What is this dark and
dreary place? The Good Shepherd replied, yes,
I have never brought you this way before. And I will take you
through this place only once. For this is the valley of the
shadow of death. It is the deepest valley there
is. for it is deep as Sheol. It is a valley of death, for
you have now come to the end of your earthly life. But the
death in this valley is only a shadow for all who cross it
with me. And a shadow never harmed anyone. And this shadow is but a temporary
shade that will end in my father's house of everlasting light on
Mount Zion. at the other side. Good Shepherd,
she asked, how will we find our way in this dark and dreary place? The Good Shepherd replied, I
crossed this valley alone many years ago and blazed a trail
through it. I know the location of every
precipice and abyss. I know the location of every
snare and trap. and I will safely guide you around
them. I have ushered many sheep through
this valley and never lost one in it. In fact, I ushered your
husband through this valley a few years ago. You will be glad to
know that he is waiting for you on the other side." And she was
indeed gladdened to hear this. Then she was frightened by the
sounds of snarling and growling. What is that? She exclaimed.
The Good Shepherd replied, Do not fear. You hear Satan and
his impious fiends. They devour all who enter this
valley without me. Then he extended his staff to
keep them at bay, and he shook his rod at them until they cowered
away in fear. Then the good shepherd and the
old ewe continued on their journey. Then she heard people talking
behind her. Who are they, she asked. The good shepherd replied, you
hear goodness and mercy. They have followed you all the
days of your life to prevent evil from overtaking you, but
You are more keenly aware of their presence now than ever
before." Then the good shepherd and the old ewe forded the icy
stream in the bottom of the valley, the shadow of death, and began
ascending Mount Zion. The old ewe said, Good Shepherd,
I am famished and cannot continue without some nourishment. So
the good shepherd prepared a table there in the midst of her enemies,
Satan and his hellish fiends. And he spread on the table a
sumptuous feast of the dainties of heaven, milk and honey and
bread. Then he put before her a goblet
and began pouring into it heavenly wine that gladdens the heart.
He poured and he poured until she exclaimed, Good Shepherd,
my cup is overflowing. The Good Shepherd replied, Fear
not, for this wine is from the cellars of my father's house,
where the vats are always full and the supply is never diminished. Then he said, No sadness can
enter my father's house. and I can see that you still
have some." He then produced a cruise and began pouring from
it the oil of gladness on her head. It made her countenance
glisten and her heart merry. Then they continued their journey.
Their path was becoming brighter step by step, for they were nearing
the Heavenly Father's house where there is never darkness. When they reached his house,
the good shepherd opened the door and brought her into it.
There she saw the heavenly host of both angels and saints around
God's throne, and she was blessed to see God, who cannot be seen
with earthly eyes. She gazed upon all the glorious
scene around her and then said, The Lord Jesus Christ has been
my shepherd. I never lacked what I needed. When I was hungry, he made me
graze in lush, green pastures. When I was thirsty, he made me
drink from deep, still waters. When I was saddened or grieved,
he restored my soul. He led me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake. and never led me in a wrong way. He just now walked with me through
the valley, the shadow of death. Yes, we walked in it, never running
or stumbling. And yes, we walked through it
safely and soundly all the way. I feared no evil in that valley,
for His rod and staff comforted me when my enemies approached
me. He even prepared a sumptuous
feast for me in the midst of that valley and made my cup overflow
and anointed my head with oil. Surely goodness and mercy have
followed me all the days of my life. And now I will live in
Jehovah's house forever. And she will. Friend, what you
have just heard is and will be the testimony of God's people,
the sheep of Jesus Christ. You can read their testimony
in the 23rd Psalm. I hope and pray their testimony
is your testimony and that you are a follower of the Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ, for you surely would not want to be found
in the valley by yourself without the Good Shepherd. If you are
not a follower of Jesus, begin following Him now. Do not walk
out the doors of this chapel until you have believed His gospel
and trusted in Him for your salvation. Then you can faithfully say,
The Lord Jesus Christ is my shepherd and I will dwell in Jehovah's
house forever.