The 23rd Psalm was written by David, the shepherd
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. A higher power is at work in our lives. The Lord knows our needs and will provide. "He maketh me to lie down in green pastures," He takes us to a quiet place away from the cares of this world. "He leadeth me beside the still waters; he restoreth my soul." I love this verse. We are led to a place of serenity where we can "regroup" our thoughts and lives. We can be restored by the calmness and the filling of our hearts with Love for our creator. "He leads me in the paths of righteousness for his namesake." God is guiding us in the path that he would have us go. He does not let us free to follow our own desires that may not be for our good. Just like a lamb who has gone astray and fallen down in a hollow. The Shepherd's crook was a tool to hook around the lamb's neck to retrieve him and bring him back to the Shepherd. When we try to go it on our own, we get into trouble and then Our Father the Good Shepherd has to sometimes by force bring us back to safety for our own sake."Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me."
God is our eternal shepherd, never leaving us alone, not even in the shadow of death. He never forsakes us even when we stray from the path. He will seek out every one of his "sheep" because he cares for us as no one else can. He shows His great love by His constant vigil.
"Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; thou annointest my head with oil, my cup runneth over." God is with us even in the midst of our enemies, those that would wish us ill or tempt us to stray from the safe path that He has provided. In David's day, anointing the head with oil was a courtesy and a show of love as it kept lice from infesting one's hair. Just as washing of the feet was also a sign of willful servitude to a guest, a sign of love and caring. Wearing sandals on dusty roads surely made it necessary. The Lord is so generous with His love and caring that our hearts are filled to overflowing with His presence even when we are all alone.
"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."
With God on our side, how can we fail? When you have nothing else, you have the savior. When you are totally alone, God is still there with you. Sometimes he uses the rod and the staff to keep us on the straight and narrow, to keep us in harmony with him. When we sin, we have fallen out of harmony with God and just like with music, when we are out of harmony, our lives are like a "sour" note.
What can you do then to stay in harmony with the Father and Son? You can read the Bible, pray, invite Jesus into your heart. You will be filled with joy as we only can be when it is filled with the Savior!
My Christian Heart to yours....
2 comments:
The 23rd Psalm gets repeated so much that I feel it has become rather dry and meaningless to many. I'm sure the devil likes this. So it is good to go into it in this way. I do know that He wants us to rest more than we do now. It even says He MAKES us to lie down!
Hi Kerrie! Oh, I love the 23rd Psalm and find such comfort and care from our loving Savior from these words. I don't feel it has become dry at all and to me it just paints a picture of how our Shepherd cares for His sheep! He sure knows I need lots of protection and care! :) I appreciate all your commentary too.
Now you have so many blogs, I wasn't sure which one to come to but so glad it was this one!
Thank you so much for popping in to see me and I miss Carol Duval! :)
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
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