The 23rd Psalm, Revisited

Last night I had a difficult and restless night, waking up often to a darkness that was darker than the darkness of the room. I felt like I was wrestling more than the blankets and sheets that wanted to tangle themselves around me. I felt small and inferior to the tasks that I have a difficult time keeping up with... I cried out "Oh....Jesus..." and a verse came to mind:

Psalm 23:4 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.

See also my other Psalm 23 posting

Two things gave comfort –

The Shepherd’s rod: The rod which the Shepherd carried was for protecting the sheep from predators. It was never used on the sheep. (Whew!) Do we not gain comfort from the fact that it is Almighty God who is our Shepherd! No robber, predator or enemy ever takes Him by surprise!

The Shepherd’s staff: The staff was used by the Shepherd to direct the sheep in the way in which they should go, and, in the case of a wandering nosey sheep, to pull it back into line[8]. Again, there is comfort in the fact that God directs us and even discipline from the Lord (pulling us back into line!) can be seen as comforting for it is a sign that He loves us scripture says (Heb 12:6)

( Link to the above)

Here are some sheep and shepherding facts that are helpful in understanding our relationship to our Good Shepherd:

The Good Shepherd Cares for His Sheep (us)

Psalm 23

The 23 Psalm is so refreshing to the soul, like an oasis in the desert, a place to rest and be thankful to the Lord for His goodness and mercy:


Psalm 23  A Psalm of David.

1The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He always provides what I need, what I want isn't always what is best for me, and He knows what I need better than I myself do.

 2  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 

Sometimes when I'm agitated, Jesus gives me a reminder of a promise in His word to comfort me. Whenever a Bible verse comes to mind quietly, it is His voice speaking to me words of comfort and peace. Then, without my trying to calm myself down, there is a quietness that washes over me.

3  He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 

The broken and damaged areas in my soul He restores to what He had intended for me, and He leads me in the paths of righteousness not so I can impress everyone with my holiness. He leads me in the right paths for His name's sake, so others will praise God.

 

4  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. 

We are all going to have times when we have close brushes with death, and being mortal, we all will eventually lay this mortal body down only to rise in immortality. When I go through those valleys of the shadow of death, He won't forsake me. He will be there to correct and guide me and the fact that He does correct and guide me is a comfort to me.  

5  Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 

Our enemies love to taunt and ridicule us. King David also experienced that mistreatment often. His enemies thought themselves superior to David, but God would set them straight by blessing David in ways that his enemies could understand that David was special to God. He promised to treat me in that good and kind way in the presence of my enemies too. I have the anointing of the Holy Spirit! Cup "half full"? Or "half empty"? NO! It runneth over! :-)

6  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.

The goodness and mercy of God is so bountiful that it is a never ending fountain of blessing that is with me continually. Jesus promised that He went to prepare a place for us where we can be with Him for ever and ever. It will surpass anything of beauty on this fallen earth. I cannot even imagine the wonderful things God has planned.  Earthly palaces will look very beggarly by comparison to what God has in store.