April 4, 1999, Sunday

If you were lost in an isolated area and it was known that

there was only way out of this area, would you trust a guide

familiar with the way out? Would you consider that way to be

an escape route? After escaping from this isolated area and

were safe from harm's way, would you make a victory statement?

Jesus spoke to John as the Shepherd of his soul. The Shepherd

is the only one capable to Guide us in the only path of life-

"I am He who is alive, but was dead, now behold, I am alive now

and forever. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death"

(Rev 1:18). He has the only path of life, He is the only way

to live, and only He has the keys to the only door that can be

opened for anyone that belongs to Him to enter!

The Psalmist declared that God's way of life was considered by

him to be an escape from danger; God is a Guard from harm--

God is to us a God of deliverances; And to God the Lord belong

escapes from death" (Psa 68:20). The safety of our eternal soul

and loved ones are His eternal concerns!

As Paul grasped the importance of the resurrection of Christ,

he was able to speak of the Profit to our souls and to make a

statement of victory to our enemies of death, sin, and hades--

"O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory"

(1Cor 15:55)? Today we can make a victory statement to enemies

of ours as well! The Way It Is in the Path of Life, Our Lord is

Alive, and Christ has made us victors with Him!

Let us remember who is the God that is our Shepherd. God's

Name is Jehová Rohi. He is the God that is our Guide. He

Provides direction and a way for us. He is our Guard. He

Protects us from harm and keeps us safe under the shelter

of His wings. Jehová Rohi teaches us that godliness is great

Gain. He Profits us by withholding no good thing to those

that walk in His righteous paths. Lift your hands to Him and

Praise Him today for the fact that He is the God that leads

and shepherds us according to the integrity of His heart!