THE FAMILY ALTAR

May 5.

"He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me

beside the still waters." Psalms 23:2.

Let us picture to ourselves an Eastern shepherd with his

long staff in hand, leading his flock out to pasture. He does not

drive his sheep forward with harsh words or cruel blows, but goes

before them, calling to them in his well-known voice, and the

trustful sheep gladly follow him. The fierce summer sun has

parched and withered all vegetation on the surrounding hills;

but the good shepherd knows a smiling, distant valley where the

cool shadows play and the grass is ever fresh and green from the

reviving moisture that constantly arises from the quiet pools of

living water with which the valley abounds. The road to the

valley is hot and dusty and often leads over stony paths and past

dangerous cliffs and thorny thickets; but at last the valley is

reached, and now the panting sheep can slake their thirst at the

sparkling fountains, or browse contentedly on the luxuriant grass,

or stretch their weary limbs in peaceful rest under the watchful

eye of their faithful and protecting shepherd. What a delightful

scene ! But in it we have a charming picture of the loving care

and protection with which our Good Shepherd, our Lord Jesus

Christ, ever provides for the wants of His sheep, His believing

and devout followers. They often grow faint and weary under

the burdensome tasks of life. The way to the better land often

seems so long and beset with so many difficulties and dangers.

Their souls grow sad and depressed, and they long for higher,

better things, for eternal joy, and peace, and happiness. All the

pleasure resorts of the world cannot satisfy their longing, all the

boasted wisdom of the world is but a polluted fountain at which

they cannot still the burning thirst of their soul crying out for God,

for the living God. Then they hear the loving Shepherd-voice of

their Savior calling to them : "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and

are heavy laden, and I will give you rest"; and in His blessed

Word, at the open fountain of His pardoning and comforting grace,

they find the soul-reviving food and drink for which they longed.

The Lord my pasture shall prepare,

And feed me with a shepherd's care;

His presence shall my wants supply,

And guard me with a watchful eye,

My noonday walks he shall attend,

And all my midnight hours defend.