Have you ever reread a book after ten years or so and it seems like a different book? Our life experiences change us and how we look at what has happened and what is occurring to us right now. So, read along with me to see if you can view Psalm 23 in a different way too. It may be totally different than what I have written but, I hope you can see something that will impact your life for the better. Something that will carry you to a deeper relationship with God, our shepherd.
Verse 1
NIV “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be
in want.”
MES “God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing.”
PAS “The Lord is my best friend and shepherd. I always have more than enough.”
David wrote this Psalm from his own experience as a shepherd. He knew
what it meant to care for sheep, for those who were needy and unable to care
for themselves. He knew all about sheep—their frailties and their mentality.
And yet, he truly cared about them. There was a bond between shepherd and sheep—man
and animal—caretaker and those in need of care. I’m sure it could get emotional, yet, there was a love as the foundation for the caring. A shepherd is one who cares as a best
friend would care, with love.
And, this caring provides—food, health, protection, even holding close.
Everything that was needed was provided. The sheep didn’t even realize they had “needs”
because the “needs” were always available for them. How can it be a “need” if
it is never gone? It can’t become a “want” if it is always given—with surplus.
David was able to translate and transfer this pastoral knowledge to the God in whom he trusted. Each trait of a good shepherd was a trait David saw in God. As
he did tasks of caring for and loving his sheep, he observed and received those
same things from God. Is this possibly the start of David seeing God's heart and deciding to pattern his heart after it? Maybe...
David, the shepherd, was chosen as a teenager, to become king of
Israel. How would one so young and, supposedly, inexperienced, be considered as
“king material?” Remember, David had been pastoring a “flock” that showed him
the mentality of most people; he had learned how to work with it. He knew the
stubborn, the prideful, the timid, the weak. He became an iron hand, a
motivator, an encourager, a physician. As Paul said many years later, David was
all things to this flock—just what each needed.
So how does this
translate to me? My circumstances are much more limited and I won’t become a
king or great leader or pastor…
Not long ago a friend at church brought me a drawing she had done in
2016. She had asked God to help her get back into drawing prophetically when
she drew it. On this particular Sunday the Lord brought me to mind to receive
it from her—two years later! The picture had a loaf of artisan bread in the
forefront with a cluster of wheat atop it. Behind that was a goblet of wine on
its side with the wine pouring out and a cluster of grapes beside it. At the far
back was a pottery jug that represented the jug of unending oil.
Just two days before this, Dave had looked at his retirement funds statement
and found they had dropped drastically. It was a discouraging moment to say the
least! But God…had his daughter give me, a new friend, this picture. To me it depicted
God’s continual provision and He spoke the words I added to the drawing before
hanging it, “Don’t worry, My Pearl. I will always provide!”
What joy this drawing brought me! Not only was it a promise to lift my
heart and spirit, it showed God’s provision came when I needed it! Of this I can
testify--when others need an encouraging word, when I doubt the promise--God provided. Not only does He provide for the 'now' but also for the 'later.' He gives eternal words and care.
Ladying for today: Because I have no “needs,” I
rest in Him and can minister to others.
NOTE:
Bible versions: NIV-New International Version; MES-The Message; PAS-The Passion Translation
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