Classic Sermon Outlines (continued)
A Song of Comfort
But even in the supposition of distress there are four words which lessen the terror: shadow; valley; walk; through, that is, they will not be lost in this valley.
2. The triumph over danger: "I will fear no evil." A believer may meet death with a holy security and serenity of mind; (a) because there is no evil in it for the saint; (b) because he has God's gracious presence with him in his dying moments.
Ii. THE COMFORT OF GOD'S PERPETUAL MERCY (Verses 5-6).
A. God's Gracious Favors.
1. A sufficient supply: "Thou preparest a table before me." There has been provided for the children of God all things pertaining to life and godliness, all things requisite both for body and soul, time and eternity. David acknowledges that he had food sufficient.
2. A plentiful supply: "Thou anointest my head with oil, my cup runneth over.' Plentiful provision is made for our bodies and for our souls; for the life that now is and for that which is to come. If Providence does not bestow upon us thus plentifully for our natural life, it is our own fault if it be not made up to us in spiritual blessings.
B. Continuance of God's Favors.
1. The personal assurance: "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me." It is pardoning mercy, protecting mercy, sustaining mercy, supplying mercy.
2. The manner of conveyance of the favors: "follow me." It shall follow us as the water out of the rock followed the camp of Israel through the wilderness; it shall follow into all places and all conditions. It shall be always ready.
3. The constancy of the favors: "All the days of my life." They shall follow us even to the last; for whom God loves, He loves to the end. They shall be new every morning (Lamentations 3:22—23), like the manna that was given to the Israelites daily.
4, The certainty of the favors: "surely." It is as sure as the promise of the God of truth can make it; and we know whom we have believed.