“For this is God, our God forever and ever; and He will be our guide [Shepherd-King] unto death” (Psalm 48:14).
Dear Praying Friends:
Psalm 48 celebrates the God of Zion, his chosen city, and of his chosen people. Apparently, enemies had recently threatened to capture Jerusalem, but fear had seized them and they had fled. Why?
Because God dwells in its palaces and in the temple. He, the Great King of all the earth, is its righteous refuge and defender. Indeed, this psalm refers to God (in various ways) no less than eleven times. The writer’s mind is thoroughly God-centered.
He concludes that the LORD is God – creator of the heavens and the earth. He is “our God” – the faithful covenant-keeping Savior of his chosen people. And he will be our Shepherd-King (the meaning behind the word translated as “guide”) even unto death.
Christians rightly now see the city and people of God as those who trust and follow Jesus. Jesus is the Good Shepherd, who will lead, protect, and provide for them even unto death, which will usher them into the New Jerusalem, where they will dwell with him forever.
At the start of a new work week in bleak mid-winter, let us allow these thoughts to infuse us with new joy, peace, and energy.
Yours to the glory of our great God and King,
Wright