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WALKING IN THE OLD PATHS Jeremiah 6:16 By the late Jack Scott 13.  The Shepherd's Psalm-- Part (vii)

The man stood erect and perfectly still on top of a wee knoll.  At his feet impatiently sat two little border collies, their ears upright and their keen noses smelling the air.  Across the valley and high up on the slopes of the mountain beyond, small white objects dotted the landscape.  Half hidden in the green grass and purple heather the scattered flock grazed contentedly, unaware of the ominous stillness and the darkening sky.

Signs of the coming storm were not lost on the lone shepherd standing on the knoll. He raised his whistle to his lips and the two dogs stiffened their posture.  At the first blast, they were off like a shot from a gun.  Further blasts caused the two noble creatures to make a wide circle around the still unconcerned sheep.  On they went until they passed even the most distant sheep.  Continuing to obey their master's whistled commands, they slowly, gently, began to move the reluctant sheep towards their master.

Not one sheep missed the attention of the two dogs.  The dogs, although decisive in their work never once nipped at the heels of their charges.  The sheep began to move faster, showing signs of fear, they moved now as one body towards the shepherd as if to seek his protection from the dogs.

It is true that the shepherd could never accomplish his task of caring for the sheep without the help of his beautiful obedient dogs.  It is just as true that the relationship between dogs and sheep would be very different without the presence of the shepherd.  You see, untrained, uncontrolled, border collies can be very vicious, and very frightening.  These loving gently creatures have a natural instinct to kill sheep by tearing their throats open with razor sharp teeth.  Can we wonder that their presence drives the flock to the shepherd?

An old Scottish shepherd-preacher once said "God has twa dogs.  The yin He calls 'Goodness' and the ither He names 'Mercy'."

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. (Psalm 23:6)  Indeed so it is, that God's goodness and mercy are often needed, yet seldom truly desired.  Surely it is our fears, trials and yes, our conscience that drives us to the Good Shepherd and the protection of His presence.

It was the goodness of His grace that first showed us our sin and waywardness.  It was His mercy that drove us to see Christ as the only Saviour of Sinners, and it is His goodness and mercy that keeps us close to His side.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (Psalm 23:6)

Christians all accept the fact that through the eternal ages they will dwell in God's house.  Few realize that by faith we can enter that place of blessing while still living down here.  In the epistle to the Ephesians we learn that God has already made us to sit in heavenly places.

And raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:6)

We can appreciate our position as urged on by "Goodness" and "Mercy" as they are seen in the circumstances of life and we flee away to the peaceful, protective presence of our Shepherd.

Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree: that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness by whose stripes you were healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (I Peter 2:24-25)

To dwell in the house of the Lord is to live continuously in His presence.  Brother Lawrence (author of Practicing the Presence of God) learned while doing the most onerous and menial of tasks, to practice the presence of God and so can we.  If during our trials and temptations, our illnesses and the dark nights of our souls He came to visit us and bless us would we feel differently?  Of course we would; temptations would fly away, sorrows would abate and psalms of blessing would move our lips.

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you'.  So we may boldly say, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear, what can man do unto me" (Hebrews 13:5,6)

Yes, indeed we who are His, we who have been redeemed by His precious blood look forward with joy to our eternal home.  But we do not need to wait until we arrive above to enjoy the courts of Heaven; for we can dwell there now even in the midst of our wilderness journey.

Truly we can begin to enjoy, even down here the wonder that I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Assured of His presence, and the comfort of His home, both now and for all eternity, the believer can well heed St. Paul's injunction to Rejoice in the Lord always. And again I say rejoice. (Phil. 4:4)

These words to the Philippians were written by Paul while he sat in chains in a cruel Roman prison. Even there the Lord Jesus Christ was real to Paul; even there He knew the nearness of the risen, triumphant Saviour King. May we also dwell daily in the light of His presence.

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Jack Scott loved his Lord! He passed away on January 10, 2001 after a lengthy illness.
He is missed greatly by his family. [/color]

Just wonderful to read Jack's work, here Pat.  I can sit back, close my eyes, and hear him speaking with that wonderful Irish accent he had!

Thanks Judy!  I miss him so much...especially when I go and have a CT scan ALONE, the dental college ALONE, etc.    Never knew anyone could be so missed.