This week my mind’s reflections on scriptures bring me to the Old Testament book of Psalms. David’s graphic declarations of the Lord sinks into analogous contemplation. Studying the imagery and words of Psalm 23 lead me from the crippling infirmities of mortality to a place of refuge, peace, and rest with a generous application of healing balm.
“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
“He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.”
“He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”
“Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.”
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.”
I appreciate how the first three stanzas acknowledge the Lord’s involvement in my life, reminiscent of how he teaches me to approach my Heavenly Father in prayer. Isn’t the phrase, “I shall not want,” an interesting choice of words for David? Ingrained among the core values of tightly bonded threads, first woven by my parents through the fabric of my life, is the differential bias between wants and needs. As fabric’s essential diagonal bias varies by weave, ensuring functionality designed for specific purposes, so too does understanding important distinctions when considering wants vs needs.
Jesus teaches, “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” (John 15:7) I perceive that granting ‘what ye will’ entails abiding in him and his words, thereby keeping his commandments (1 John 3:22). While on the Mount of Beatitudes offering instruction on the manner of prayer, Jesus says, “. . . for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of before ye ask him.” (Matthew 6:22). Many times, in my life, when kneeling in humble petition before God, I have asked to know what to pray for after expressing my gratitude. Promptings come, I continue to speak to my Father in Heaven with faith he will lead and committing I will follow.
My obedience experiences, with faith in his intimate knowledge of me, my desires, wants, and needs, provide blessings. He always responds with some form of answer in his own time that is best suited to meet my needs, even if I do not feel that way, I tell myself to accept the gift. Thus, I learn. Am I always truthful and sincere, ready to receive whatever he deems fit, when I say, “Thy will be done . . .”? Some answers given are not received gratefully at the time. They are unanticipated, unexpected, not appreciated, not understood, not fully seen, because I have selfish, impatient tendencies. Relishing the words of Isaiah as I do, I often hear his confirming voice speaking the words of God when I falter. These come to mind today.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.”
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater.”
“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”
“For ye shall go out with joy and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” (Isaiah 55:8-12)
Isaiah’s words remind me of Deuteronomy chapter 8, which further testifies how the Lord’s involvement in my life can prompt necessary course corrections if I wish to enjoy his pasture.
“And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.”
“And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna . . . that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live”
“Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him.”
“For the LORD thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills;”
“A land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness, thou shalt not lack any thing in it . . .” (Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 6-7, 9)
When my will exhibits pride and selfishness diverting me from my chosen path of devotion, an inability to hear the shepherd’s voice in my timing and expectation frustrate me. Sometimes I find myself in front of a blocked door. When I explore, an open window allows me to climb through, entering a room where I encounter, at least one good Samaritan he provides to support, strengthen, encourage, and guide me.
I stand all amazed at what God makes ready for me. I shall not want when and where the shepherd of my soul leads if I believe, obey, and follow. His green pastures nourish, refresh, sustain, and allow me to rest for they are his creation. He calms the occasional stormy sea that crests in my heart and mind with three simple words, “Peace, be still.” (Mark 4:39). Recognizing his voice, feeling his nearness, seeing the staff he uses, the rod of his might, and trusting in his love for me, I am comforted walking through the wilderness of life, through the valleys of afflictions where the shadow of death menacingly lurks.
There is only eternal life, not death, when Jesus, the good shepherd protects his flock.
“I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life the for sheep.”
“But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.”
“The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling and careth not for the sheep.”
“I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.”
“As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.”
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:”
“And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” (John 10:11-15, 27-29)
I am grateful that Jesus Christ, my Savior, Redeemer, and Shepherd prepares me to receive his anointing oil. My cup truly overflows with immeasurable blessings. The least this one little lamb can offer is her ears, eyes, heart, might, mind, talents, and service to bring glory to his name in return for his ultimate sacrifice. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever as I hearken to the voice of my shepherd is my prayer. Amen
The Shepherd
Out in the pasture between valley and peak
Graze a flock of fluffy white, not yet shorn sheep.
Bright midsummer’s rays reflect a silverish streak
Refreshingly lapped from the slow-flowing creek.
One little lamb with a crippled right trotter
caught the quick eye of a high aloft spotter.
Sheep gather together with the moon in ascent
while the wolf upon high inhales the fresh scent.
The shepherd ever watchful, on guard and alert,
Aware of the dangers, will not allow hurt.
The lambs of the flock heed the shepherd’s clear voice
He knows each one’s bleat and their keep is his choice.
The sheep peacefully rest, protected from harm
Their shepherd stands ready, a staff on his arm.
Vicki Nicholls © April 2020
How does the Lord lead me? Sometimes he must get behind and push. Most often he allows me to see a tiny glint of what he knows clearly is ahead on the path. He is ahead, turns around as I call, and beckons with a gentle hand gesture drawing me forward, welcoming my company especially when I seek.
How does he restore your soul? What do you need to do to receive restoration, healing and wholeness?
What does it mean to walk through the valley of the shadow of death?
What is the significance of anointing and with oil? In the Books of Exodus and Leviticus are several references to the use of anointing oil – 1. for sanctification, and 2. for consecration. In the New Testament, we read of the woman with an alabaster box holding precious ointment she uses to anoint and wash Jesus’ feet. Then recorded in Mark 6:13 (not the only place) is its use by the twelve; “And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.” It seems to me that sanctification, consecration to perform service on behalf of God and healing are also symbolic in my life. I want the Lord to heal me of my infirmities (enemies), consecrate my efforts in his cause and glory, and sanctify me to enter his presence.
