I AM YOURS FOREVER

 

Charles Cowman was born on 13th March 1868 in Chicago. His parents frequently invited their preacher home for dinner. One night in 1881 during a revival, Charles knelt at the altar. Years later his wife Lettie wrote “the revival was thought to have been a failure by many as only one boy was converted. But, how little they realized what the conversion of that one lad of thirteen would mean to thousands of heathens. How little did any one dream that he would someday become a missionary and the founder of one of the greatest evangelizing force on earth”.

Soon after salvation, God turned Cowman’s life upside down. He set upon him such a torrent of forces to reconstruct his values and restyle his life. Three things happened; first, Cowman experienced an insatiable thirst for mastery of the Bible. Second, he was filled by the Holy Spirit. He wrote “I have committed myself and my all into God’s hands”. A new union began with his savior, new victories enriched his life and a new power marked his service from that day. Third, Cowman developed a great interest in world evangelism. Charles and Lettie married in June 1889.

Cowman first attempt at soul winning was to his work mate at the telegraph company. The young man at the receiving end of his half an hour monologue never opened his mouth to reply. Cowman went home that night knowing he had failed miserably as a soul winner. The following night he rushed home and reported great news to his wife “the young man gave his life to Christ when he got home”. That young man was Ernest Kilbourne who was to become one of Cowman’s partners in founding the Oriental Missionary Society (OMS).

 After Kilbourne conversion, that of others followed in quick succession. Work schedule kept many of them from attending Sunday church service. Cowman quickly got an idea. He secured the lobby of a nearby hotel and once a month, on Sunday afternoon the Christians met for service. This group called Telegraphers Mission Band was destined to be the foundation of OMS, the greatest evangelizing force in the Far East. Before long they branched out to include telegraphers in other areas. They engaged in evangelism in mission halls.

Cowman preached his first sermon in one such hall known as Little Hell. Visiting a service one Sunday evening, he was mistaken for a preacher and invited to speak the next week. Charles and Lettie left Chicago for Japan in February 1901. Cowman wrote “For all that has been –Thanks! To all that shall be –Yes!” These words convey their mood when they first set foot in Japan.  Cowman began a new work that would not only endure but grow. Over his desk in Tokyo he kept a placard saying “Let us build for the years we will not see”.

David concludes Psalm 23 with a joyous statement - I shall dwell in the House of the Lord forever.  He completes the circuit by taking us back to the beginning, only this time at a higher level. Everything the Lord is to him and does for him is forever. The Lord is his shepherd forever, his provider forever, his protector forever. He may enjoy rich green pastures or walk through the valley of shadows, whatever the case, his relationship with God will never end, it is forever.

The word “dwell” implies residing in; the house of God is where God resides. Being in God’s presence was David’s deepest longing. He could picture himself basking in God’s presence forever. He was sure that he would have an unbroken fellowship with God in the present life and when his days on earth were ended, there stretched beyond a still closer union with God in Heaven forever.

As he wrote the closing verse of Psalm 23, David may have been looking forward to that future day in eternity when he would fellowship with God in the heavenly temple. However, it may well be, that he was simply looking forward to the continued fellowship with God that he had so far enjoyed. But whatever the case, David desired to enjoy God’s continuous presence under the sun and eternally after death.

David was in trouble when he wrote Psalm 27 and we would expect him to desire things like help, protection or evil upon his enemies. But in verse 4 he says “one thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord”. David had gone through many troubles in life. He had found out that the one thing that calmed his fears, guided him in difficulties and soothed his sorrows was the presence of a loving God.

David counted it a privilege to be allowed to dwells in the house of the Lord. In Psalm 65:4 he says “blessed is the man you choose, and cause to approach you, that he may dwell in your courts. We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, of your holy temple”. What can a man lack in the house of him who created everything, who is the master of everything, who will be all unto all and in whom there is an inexhaustible treasure of good.

In Psalm 27:13 David thought about the troubles he was going through, and then he said “I would have lost heart unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the Land of the living”. He knew that he will not always be surrounded by trouble; a day is coming when all troubles will come to an end. Troubles were temporary but his relationship with God was forever.

Heaven should be the crown of all our hopes for the future. Our hope of heaven is an anchor for the soul, both sure and steadfast (Heb. 6:19). That hope is an anchor that keeps us firm in times of trouble and spurs us on. The persecuted believers to whom the book of Hebrews was written, joyfully accepted the plundering of their goods knowing that they had a better and an enduring possession for themselves in Heaven (Heb. 10:34).

Abraham allowed Lot to settle on the fertile, well watered plains near the city of Sodom. He was content to live in tents on the mountains (Gen.13: 9-12). His eyes of faith had seen something far better, a city whose architect and designer is God (Heb. 11:10).  Moses refused the treasures of Egypt; he regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value. He persevered because he saw him who was invisible (Heb.11: 24-27). These saints desired a better country, a heavenly one, God had prepared for them a city (Heb.11: 13-16).

When it was David’s time to die he told his son Solomon “I am about to go the way of all the earth. Observe what the Lord God requires. Walk in obedience to him, keep his commands and you will prosper in all you do and wherever you go”. Then David rested with his ancestors and was buried in the city of David (1 Kings 2). On his death bed David had no regret that he had dwelt in God’s presence in his earthly life. His desire was that his son would follow his footsteps.

God protected David from all enemies but he still slept when his task on earth was done (Acts 13:36). Thinking about that future day, when at last he will sees the shepherd’s face for the first time, David declared that “in righteousness I will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness (Ps. 17: 15). ​ At last he entered his heavenly home, where the travel-stained robe was laid aside and he was given a white one. He will someday sit down with his shepherd at the homecoming party in Heaven (Matt 26:29).

A glorious day is coming when all Gods people will be gathered around his table in the eternal home.  They will finally be with the Lord who cared for them every step of their way, never to be separated again. They will enjoy full uninterrupted communion with God. The good things that God provides in this life are merely a foretaste of what awaits in Heaven (1 Cor. 2:9). Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb (Rev. 19:9).

Psalm 23 ends with the calmest assurance that David would enjoy the presence of the LORD forever both on this earth and beyond. Even though he was a king David needed a shepherd and he found comfort and security in the thought that God cared for him. The blessings and the calmness of soul which David experienced in his life and expressed in this psalm would be a delight to anyone, but he must be one of Lord’s sheep.

When Jacob was about to die he talked of “the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day, the angel who has delivered me from all harm” (Gen.48: 15-16). The Great shepherd was there when you were forming in your mother’s womb and he clearly sees your every move (Psalm 139). He promises to provide for you and to keep you secure throughout life (John 10:25-29). He will be there on your dying day to walk you through death (Ps 23:4, Acts 7:55- 60) and take you to his house where you will dwell forever (John 11:25-26).