The Medical Missionary, vol. 13
June 1904
“Daily Bread for Christian Workers” The Medical Missionary 13, 6.
E. J. Waggoner
Wednesday, June 1. The Lord is my shepherd. Psalm 23:1.
It is a great help to know and remember, in repeating these familiar words, that the word here rendered “Lord” is Jehovah-the Living One-the One who is-the I AM. Jehovah is my shepherd. Place the emphasis on both “Jehovah” and “my;” the One who inhabits eternity, whose word creates, has devoted his life to caring for me. The word “Shepherd” is rendered from a word meaning to feed. A sheep, above all other domestic animals, requires gentle treatment; brusque, harsh usage disconcerts it. It cannot be driven, but must be led; and only the one who feeds and cares for it can lead it. From the fact that the two greatest rulers in Israel-Moses and David-were shepherds, and that the King of the universe is the “Great Shepherd,” we may know God’s idea of royal authority, of fitness to rule. In God’s mind, to rule is not to domineer, but to use power in service. Our Shepherd combines infinite power and infinite tenderness. He feeds the flock with his own body, and thus demonstrates his right to rule. MEDM June 1904, page 195.1
Thursday, June 2. I shall not want. Psalm 23:1. MEDM June 1904, page 195.2
“Wherever he may guide me,
No want shall turn me back;
My Shepherd is beside me,
And nothing can I lack.”
MEDM June 1904, page 195.3
How can we lack, when all things come of Him and are in him, and he gives us himself. But everything depends on a proper understanding of what it is to be in want and not to want. The one who is content in whatever state he is, never knows want; while the discontented person is always suffering from want. The epitaph over a miser says that- MEDM June 1904, page 195.4
“Content was never once his guest,
though twice ten thousand filled his chest;
so this poor man, with all his store,
fed in great want-the want of more.”
MEDM June 1904, page 195.5
But he who knows Whom he has believed, knows that there is nothing more, so wants no more. MEDM June 1904, page 195.6
Friday, June 3. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. Psalm 23:2. MEDM June 1904, page 195.7
Two things are suggested by this verse: abundance of provision, and nothing to mar. An old shepherd was once asked when his sheep lay down, and he replied: When they have eaten and have nothing to frighten them.” Those who dwell in the house of the Lord, as this psalm indicates, “shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness” of it (Psalm 36:8); and though the devil as a roaring lion goes about seeking to devour the flock, the knowledge that they are inside and he outside, precludes all fear. “Thus with the Lord, in returning and rest shall ye saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” MEDM June 1904, page 195.8
Sabbath, June 4. He leadeth me beside the still water. Psalm 23:2. MEDM June 1904, page 195.9
We read of those who serve the Lord day and night in his temple, that “they all hunger no more, neither thirst any more;” “for the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters” (Revelation 7:16, 17); for “there the glorious Lord will be unto us a place of broad rivers and streams.” (Isaiah 33:21.) Israel’s experience in the desert (compare Exodus 17:1-7 with 1 Corinthians 10:4) shows that we may have this experience in this world as well as in that which is to come. Jehovah is our Shepherd now as surely as he will ever be; and living waters of rest are our portion now as truly as they will be then with the eyes of our spiritual bodies we see God’s face and the crystal river flowing from his throne. MEDM June 1904, page 195.10
Sunday, June 5. He restoreth my soul. Psalm 23:3. MEDM June 1904, page 195.11
To restore is to bring back; so when we have wandered out of the way, the Lord kindly brings us back, even at the expense of his own life. “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him [hath taken on himself] the iniquity of us all.” This bringing back is our restoration to life-our deliverance from sin and all its consequences. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits; who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” MEDM June 1904, page 195.12
Monday, June 6. He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Psalm 23:2. MEDM June 1904, page 195.13
Still “He leadeth me.” The paths of righteousness lie beside the still waters. It is not in warfare and strife that righteousness is gained. “The wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” (James 1:20.) This does not mean that we should become hermits or go into cloisters, but that in the midst of the strife of tongues we, walking with Christ, should be kept “secretly in a pavilion.” Jesus was unmoved by false accusation and the clamor of the multitude for his life. His own righteousness and peace he gives us for his name’s sake. He himself is glorified by his own gifts. This is our safeguard against discouragement in view of our own unworthiness. MEDM June 1904, page 195.14
Tuesday, June 7. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Psalm 23:1. MEDM June 1904, page 195.15
While it is certainly true that the Lord is with the trusting ones who go down into the grave, for they sleep in him, it is no less certain that this verse especially contemplates the Lord’s presence with us in the valley of the shadow of death, in order that we may pass through it alive. His presence with us means life to us; “for he is thy life, and the length of thy days.” He is “alive forevermore,” and he says, “Because I live, ye shall live also.” “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light; they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined” (Isaiah 9:2); and that light is “the light of life.” (John 8:2.) Have you seen the Iight? According to your faith, be it unto you. MEDM June 1904, page 195.16
Wednesday, June 8. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies. Psalm 23:5. MEDM June 1904, page 195.17
What could be more expressive of perfect security than this statement? Enemies are raging round us, yet in the face of their threatened attack we quietly sit down to the table which the Lord prepares for us. They come upon us to eat our flesh, and we in safety eat the good things of the Lord’s house. When the wicked surround the New Jerusalem, intending to capture it and to destroy its inhabitants (Revelation 20:7-9), those who are inside will be no safer than those are now who put their trust in God. He serves them now, even as he will then. (See Luke 12:37.) What a wonder! The King of glory not only catering for his subjects, but himself waiting upon them at table! What more could he do? MEDM June 1904, page 195.18
Thursday, June 9. “Thou anointest my head with oil, my cup runneth over. Psalm 23:5. MEDM June 1904, page 196.1
This oil is “the oil of gladness,” the “joy in the Holy Ghost,” which constitutes the kingdom of God. Christ is anointed to give “beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.” (Isaiah 61:3.) Those who are thus anointed are kings, reigning in life with Christ. The cheerful person is king indeed; if his cheerfulness comes from trust in God, nothing is impossible for him. He has enough and to spare; his cup overflows to others, because the Lord, in whom is all fulness, is the portion of his inheritance and of his cup. Psalm 16:5. MEDM June 1904, page 196.2
Friday, June 10. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. Psalm 23:6. MEDM June 1904, page 196.3
The Hebrew warrants the rendering given in some versions: “Only goodness and mercy shall follow me.” How can it be otherwise, when “all things work together for good to them that love God”? MEDM June 1904, page 196.4
“Let good or ill befall,
It must be good for me,
Secure of having Thee in all,
Of having all in thee.”
MEDM June 1904, page 196.5
And this goodness and mercy that follow us are God’s own self. (Exodus 34:6.) Wherever we go, his goodness and mercy pursue us-run after us. “Whither shall I go from thy Spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.” MEDM June 1904, page 196.6
Sabbath, June 11. I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23:6. MEDM June 1904, page 196.7
In whatever desert place we are, and however stony our bed, the Lord is in that place, whether we know it or not, and therefore it is his house. His presence makes “the dry land springs of water,” and so even in the barren land we walk beside the still waters, and lie down in green pastures. For “ye are come unto Mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God.” (Hebrews 12:22.) It is a good place to dwell; for “those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age they shall be fat and flourishing.” MEDM June 1904, page 196.8
Sunday, June 12. The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? Psalm 27:1. MEDM June 1904, page 196.9
The one message for this and all time is that “God is light, and in him is a darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5.) He is the light of the world-all the light there is. His light is “the light of life.” This is why the light is the greatest healing agency known; there can be no life where there is no light; but it has been discovered that light can penetrate everywhere, and that light shines forth from even the most opaque bodies. God, however, is all light, and therefore he is the Saviour, the Healer. Having him, there is no room to question if we shall saved; we are then already saved, because he is our salvation. MEDM June 1904, page 196.10
Monday, June 13. The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1. MEDM June 1904, page 196.11
The song for God’s people in the time of trouble is, “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid (Isaiah 12:2.) The only remedy against fear is the knowledge that God is our strength and our salvation. Whoever trusts to the strength which he imagines that he has in and of himself, is sure sooner or later to fail through fear; he who knows and acknowledges God as his sole strength cannot fail nor be frightened, because he knows that God cannot fail. The Rock of Ages stands firm. But this means the constant recognition of the fact that we have no strength of brain or muscle apart from God; that it is in him that we live and move. How gladly we should make this acknowledgment, since it means so much for us. MEDM June 1904, page 196.12
Tuesday, June 14. When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Psalm 27:2. MEDM June 1904, page 196.13
In John 18:3-6 we read how it was with those who came out against Christ. The power that was in him made them fall to the ground. Afterward he went with them voluntarily; but the incident shows us how impossible it is even for armed foes to do anything against those whose strength is wholly the Lord’s, and who trust in him alone. We have nothing to do with defending ourselves against either weapons or words that devour, when we take God for our defense. MEDM June 1904, page 196.14
Wednesday, June 15. Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. Psalm 27:3. MEDM June 1904, page 197.1
In what shall we be confident when war arises against us? Simply in this, that the Lord is our light and our salvation and the strength of our life. In 2 Kings we have the account of an army that came out against a single unarmed man. He had no fear, because he knew that invisible army for him was far greater than the visible army against him. Neither swords nor cannon balls can pierce or break down the defense which God’s word forms round the child of God. MEDM June 1904, page 197.2
“The storm may rage around me,
My heart may low be laid;
But God is round about me,
And can I be dismayed?”
MEDM June 1904, page 197.3
Thursday, June 16. One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of me life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple. Psalm 27:4. MEDM June 1904, page 197.4
“Seekest thou great things for thyself? Seek them not.” (Jeremiah 45:5.) That is, success in life does not consist in doing, but in being. It is not well to be so intent on doing some great work that we have no time to behold and appreciate the beauty of the Lord. It is “not by works done in righteousness which we did ourselves, but by looking-looking unto Jesus-that we are saved. Time spent in beholding the beauty of the Lord is not wasted; for it is only when the beauty of the Lord is upon us that the work of our hands is established upon. Psalm 90:17. MEDM June 1904, page 197.5
Friday, June 17. In the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of the tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. Psalm 27:5. MEDM June 1904, page 197.6
This is why the one thing to be desired is to dwell in the house of the Lord, to behold the beauty of the Lord. Only in the Lord’s house can we behold his beauty and when we dwell in his house we are sure to be safe in the time of trouble, for we shall be out of the enemy’s reach. When we are in the secret of the Lord’s tabernacle, we are hidden. We can see the enemy, but the enemy cannot see us. Read the ninety-first psalm, to learn of the security of the Lord’s secret place. MEDM June 1904, page 197.7
Sabbath, June 18. -And now shall my head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy. I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord. Psalm 27:6. MEDM June 1904, page 197.8
It is with “songs of deliverance” that the Lord compasses us about. (Psalm 32:7.) That is to say, our safety is in singing the praises of God,-not in merely singing songs that somebody else has written, and which may mean nothing to us, but in singing and making melody in the heart, sometimes even without words, but always with the spirit and with the understanding. It is not enough to praise the Lord for what he has done for us; true faith gives him thanks for deliverance yet to come, with the enemies all round us. It was when Israel sang and gave thanks to God for his ever enduring mercy that God set ambushments against their enemies. Read 2 Chronicles 20. MEDM June 1904, page 197.9
Sunday, June 19. Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice; have mercy also upon me and deliver me. Psalm 27:7. MEDM June 1904, page 197.10
Do not read this as though it meant that you are obliged to beg and entreat the Lord to listen to you, and that you must by your importunity break down his reluctance to hear and deliver. He is always more anxious to save every man than any man is to be saved. But this is a petition inspired by the Holy Spirit, who helps our infirmities by teaching us what to ask for. This prayer, therefore, is the Spirit’s assurance that the Lord will hear and deliver us. MEDM June 1904, page 197.11
Monday, June 20. When thou saidst; Seek ye my face, my heart said, Thy face, Lord, will I seek. Psalm 27:8. MEDM June 1904, page 197.12
Yes, we may make that response, but where shall we look for him, that we may see his face? Have no anxiety on that score; the Lord is looking for you; and all you have to do to see him is to look up. He says, “Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things.” (Isaiah 40:26.) God has placed men where they are, “that they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us.” (Acts 17:27.) There is danger that we may not feel after him; but if we do reach out our hand, we are sure straightway to find his. MEDM June 1904, page 197.13
Tuesday, June 21. Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. Psalm 27:9. MEDM June 1904, page 198.1
Here we have another inspired direction what to pray for with positive assurance that our petition will be granted, because we ask according to God’s will. He himself has said, “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee; therefore when we ask him not to leave us, we are not trying to induce him to stay with us, but, if we pray with the spirit and the understanding, we are expressing our willingness and desire to have his presence. He has helped us, and that is sufficient proof that he will still help us. MEDM June 1904, page 198.2
Wednesday, June 22. The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup; thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. Psalm 16:5. MEDM June 1904, page 198.3
This is what everyone receives who gives up himself. How can it be called “giving up,” when infinitely more is received in return? To Abraham God said, “I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.” (Genesis 15:1.) Now “if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” That is, ye are “heirs of God,”-not of his possessions, but of himself. Think what it means to have God for your portion,-to inherit his life and character,-until the greatness of the thought fills your soul. MEDM June 1904, page 198.4
Thursday, June 23. The lines have fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage. Psalm 16:6. MEDM June 1904, page 198.5
Here we have the idea of our inheritance surveyed, and our portion allotted us. The lines have been run, and there is nothing to hinder us from taking possession of our “goodly heritage.” How extensive is it? It includes all creation; for “in him all things consist.” (Colossians 1:17.) This is why the Christian will not contend for his rights; there is nothing to fight for, because he has all things in God, and no one can deprive him of God. MEDM June 1904, page 198.6
Friday, June 24. I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Psalm 16:8. MEDM June 1904, page 198.7
Who has power to “set the Lord” always before him? Can anybody move the Lord about at will? Can one bring the Lord down from above, and set him at his right hand? Certainly not: but one can recognize the abiding presence, and be established by it, as no one can who does not know that the Lord is in the place. Be sure that if God is at your right hand, he will take hold of it: that is the reason why you will not fall. No matter where we are, even though it be “in the uttermost parts of the sea,” even there shall his right hand hold us. MEDM June 1904, page 198.8
“Unshaken as the sacred hills,
And fixed as mountains stand,
Firm as a rock the soul shall rest.
That trusts the Almighty hand.”
MEDM June 1904, page 198.9
Sabbath, June 25. Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 16:11. MEDM June 1904, page 198.10
If God is always before us, even at our right hand, and there is “fulness of joy in his presence, surely we ought always to be full of joy. And so we should, if we only in our minds set him always before us. Our joy is full when we have “fellowship with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.” 1 John 1:3. MEDM June 1904, page 198.11
This joy comes from seeing and knowing the Word of life. This is the path of life, for the living Word is both the water and the life. When God shows us the path of life, it is only that we may walk in it; and if we walk in the path of life we must surely live. MEDM June 1904, page 198.12
Sunday, June 26. Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer. Psalm 17:4. MEDM June 1904, page 198.13
In this text and the Iast one we have two paths set before us-the path of life and the path of the destroyer. But however many those paths of death may be, we may keep ourselves from them all by the words of the Lord’s mouth, always provided that we search for and find those words and feed upon them. MEDM June 1904, page 198.14
Monday, June 27. Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not. Psalm 17:5. MEDM June 1904, page 198.15
What a grand assurance this inspired prayer is that God will hold us, so that our footsteps will not slip. This he is sure to do, if we walk in his paths. This is walking with God. How blessed to start out in the morning, too weak to stand alone, and not knowing the way that we are to go, and yet to know that all the day our feet will not slip, that we shall be led “by the right way, where we may “walk and not faint.” MEDM June 1904, page 198.16
Tuesday, June 28. Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them. Psalm 17:7. MEDM June 1904, page 198.17
All that is necessary, in order that we may be comforted by this text, is for us to know the simple rendering of it as given in the margin. God saves them them that put their trust in him, from those who rise up against his right hand. Enemies may think that they are fighting against us, but the Lord has declared that it is he that they are rising up against, and not us. You cannot for a moment suppose that it is possible for any enemy to break down the guard of God’s right hand; then why need we worry over what enemies are trying to do to us? MEDM June 1904, page 198.18
Wednesday, June 29. Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings, from the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about. Psalm 17:8, 9. MEDM June 1904, page 199.1
The whole Bible contains no more expressive figure of safe keeping than this, that God keeps us as the apple of the eye. How closely we guard our eyes, and even though we be off our guard, it is almost impossible for a blow to come so suddenly that the eyelid will not close down to protect the eyeball. Even so carefully does God guard those who take refuge under his wings. MEDM June 1904, page 199.2
Thursday, June 30. I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness. Psalm 17:15. MEDM June 1904, page 199.3
Note the exact wording and the punctuation of the text. It is not, as often quoted, that we shall be satisfied when we awake in his likeness. That would be the expression of selfishness. The statement is that when we awake to “see him as he is we shall be so satisfied with the sight that we shall have no desire to look at anything else. Our highest bliss, our greatest reward, will be that we shall see his face. But unless we learn to discern his countenance here, and get some glimpses of his beauty, we cannot know that the fulness of his glory will be all-satisfying. It is what we see now that makes us want to see him constantly. MEDM June 1904, page 199.4