April 26, 2026

You can find the order of worship and songs here.

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Is it a lie? Is it an exaggeration for a dramatic effect? Is it a poetic license? What does David mean when he says in Psalm 23 "…and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever"?

Of course, Psalm 23 is full of evocative images that serve symbolic purpose. We are, after all, not literally sheep. The green pastures may be a good place for a nice nap, but taken purely in the dictionary sense of the words, the imagery has only a limited appeal. The same is true of "the valley of the shadow of death" through which the Shepherd safely guides us. The power of these words transcend what the mere dictionary sense of the words can convey.

Thus we come to a realization. These evocative images do not serve to exaggerate. Their purpose is not to take something small and make them look bigger than they really are. They serve the opposite, reductive, end. They take something that is so excellent and glorious that no literal description is possible, and by the means of symbolic images make them accessible for mere mortals.

As creatures that live in time, we can hardly comprehend what "forever" means. Perhaps that is why Psalm 23 uses such vivid imagery of the shepherd leading the sheep. For in Psalm 23 we feel the promise more than we understand it. We have only a dim understanding of what "forever" is. But we are enraptured in its joy. "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies…" The Good Shepherd will raise us from the dead. Then we will stare at our defeated enemy, Death, in its face as the Good Shepherd gathers us around him for a feast. Then, forever, we will raise the overflowing cup of salvation and say "The Lord has done great things. We will rejoice and be glad." Can you feel it?

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Growth Resources

In April we are reading "We Shall All Be Changed: How Facing Death with Loved Ones Transforms Us" by Whitney Pipkin. See also 12 for 26.

This week's Shorter Catechism lesson: Qs. 96–97.

Announcements

April 26 (Lord's Day): Sunday School lesson on "The Abolition of Man." Also May 3.

April 29 (Wednesday 6 PM): 1 Timothy Zoom Study. Meeting ID: 884 9003 6844. Passcode: 5sUpUi

May 17 (Lord's Day): Fellowship meal.

Thank you for your continued support of Grace Fallbrook (PCA). Your loving support makes the proclamation of the gospel and the building up of the saints possible. Please visit gracefallbrook.church/give and click on "Give Online Now." You will be directed to the PCA Foundation where you can give towards Grace Fallbrook (PCA).

This Week's Prayers

Please email your prayer request by Thursday to include it in the list for the upcoming week — info@gracefallbrook.church