20 Apr 2009 08:00 AM An Odyssey in the Psalms: Ps 23 (A)This psalm is composed of only six verses, but how rich in teachings and promises they are!
Psalm 23:1 A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
This is an affirmation imbued with blessings for the people of God:
« The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. »
For we who live in communities and cultures different from that of David, one question must be asked: in what way can this declaration positively affect our lives?
To claim this promise, we need to understand the role of a shepherd: Someone who is entrusted to keep a flock of sheep.
This person is responsible for leading the flock under his care to pastures where their needs for food and water will be satisfied. The security of the livestock must be assured by the guardian’s vigilance and by his willingness to defend them against potential attackers at the risk of his own li fe.
He needs to understand each of his animals’ peculiarities – no two are alike – to respond adequately to each one’s needs.
Jesus, by His example, shows us the standard of an excellent shepherd:
«I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. » John 10:11
«But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them.» John 10:12
«I am the good shepherd; and I know my sheep, and am known by My own. » John 10:14
A good shepherd will never leave one of his wandering lambs in a strange countryside. He will do everything to find it.
« What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? » Matthew 18:12
«What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbours, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’» Luke 15: 4-6
These declarations from the Word assure us that we will never be abandoned by our heavenly Father. He will always find the way to come to our aid in the midst of our circumstances, our distresses.
His goal for each of us is this:
He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousnes for His name’s sake.
I remember having read that a lamb, to quench its thirst, must be led to a current of still water. The same for us, it is imperative to allow ourselves some time when nothing will disturb us in order to lap at the waters of the Word, to be restored, strengthened, encouraged, lifted up, healed, delivered.
God wants to restore us. He knows the trial we are going through. He knows the battles that we are up against every day. He is well acquainted with the hostile environment in which we evolve. He will always act with His omnipotence in our lives to lift us up if, under the assaults of the enemy, we have stumbled.
Always remember this:
The enemy will do everything in his power to separate us from the Word. Because he knows that when we discover a truth, revealed by the Holy Spirit, it can transform our lives forever.
When we take the Holy Book in our hands and gaze upon it, a promise will come to fruition, night or day, in good weather or bad, in times of trial or of peace:
«So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. » Isaiah 55:11
Another essential condition must be satisfied if we want to experience these extraordinary times of communion and restoration with our Redeemer: We must allow ourselves to be led, by our God, in the paths of justice.
«He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.»
These paths will always lead us to the greatest blessings prepared for us.
«All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth» Psalm 25:10
«Uphold my steps in Your paths that my footsteps may not slip. ». Psalm 17:5
«Her (Wisdom's) ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. » Proverbs 3:17
«You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of joy in Your presence. » Acts 2:28
Trouble, misfortune, sadness, times of distress come into our lives once we decide to follow other paths.
«The way of peace they have not known, and there is no justice in their ways; they have made themselves crooked paths; whoever takes that way shall not know peace. » - Isaiah 59:8
I desire that we always persevere in the ways of our God. They are the best and the most spiritually profitable. If, unfortunately, we discover that we have strayed from them, I hope that these texts give you the desire to return to these ancient ways of peace and love where the Presence of our God awaits you.
Prayer:
«Heavenly Father, today I stand before You to offer You my hand, that You may lead me along the former paths, where the beauty of Your Presence dazzles me and makes me want to celebrate You. Thank You for being there to reveal to me the joys of holiness! »
We wish you a good week!
Jacques Brouillard Send this to a friend
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