One of the telling things about the hustle and bustle of life is that over time it usually takes its toll on us. The stress of everyday living, being pulled in different directions by what seems like endless demands on us and our time, and dealing with various life challenges often leave us feeling depleted mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually. Charles Allen says it well - "Like a watch, the human spirit can run down. We lose our drive and push. We become less willing to attempt the difficult. We are crusaders no longer. . . . Like squeezing the juice from an orange and leaving just the pulp, life has a way of squeezing the spirit out of a person. A person can become 'only a shell.' We feel the thrill of no new enthusiasm, the dawn of a new day leaves us cold and hopeless." For those of us who are able to, we take off for a few days of retreat or an extended vacation so we can rest and replenish ourselves. Deep within, our souls need to be restored.
The sheep in the shepherd's care experiences its own depletion. Allen writes, "As the sheep start out in the morning to graze, each takes a definite place in line and holds that same position all during the day. However, some time during the day each sheep leaves its place in line and trots over to the shepherd. The shepherd gently rubs the nose and ears, lightly scratches the ears, and whispers in an ear of the sheep. Reassured and encouraged, the sheep takes its place in line again." There are days I feel like that sheep, needing a loving and caring touch along with whispered words of encouragement to strengthen a depleted spirit. However, it is often during those times I am reminded that as a sheep in the Good Shepherd’s care, He not only leads me beside the still waters but He also restores [revitalizes, renews, revives] my soul.
It is reassuring to know that when our hearts are overwhelmed we find a Shepherd who stands ready to provide us with a safe, restful place and lots of tender loving care. When we feel we cannot make it through one more day, He knows exactly how to minister to the deep places of our beings that need to be restored. A whisper from His Word, a caress from a song that reminds us of His faithfulness, the warmth of a hug as the Holy Spirit embraces us with and in a love that only He can give. In the times we need it the most, we experience the joy of His care that serves as the platform for our joy.
No child of God has to resort to drugs, alcohol, or illicit behaviors to find that renewal. The LORD is our shepherd and it is He alone that can fully restore our souls (Psalm 23:3a). What has been your experience?
Monday, January 31, 2011
Beside the Still Waters
Under the guidance of the good shepherd, the sheep is being properly looked after. Laying in pastures of tender grass it is at rest, lacking nothing, relaxed and contented. In this state of contentment is the wisdom of the shepherd, for to be able to have its thirst satisfied the shepherd must lead the sheep beside still waters.
Instinctively, sheep are afraid of moving water. Because of its heavy coat of wool it is not a good swimmer; the water would soak into the wool pulling the sheep down. Being a timid creature it is said that the sheep will not drink from a moving stream, only from still waters. In his The Healing Power of the 23rd Psalm Charles Allen writes, "The shepherd does not laugh at the sheep’s fears. He does not try to force the sheep. Instead, as he leads his sheep across the mountains and valleys, he is constantly on the watch for still waters, where the thirst of the sheep may be quenched. If there are no still waters available, while the sheep are resting, the shepherd will gather up stones to fashion a dam across a small stream to form a pool from which even the tiniest lamb may drink without fear."
Knowing the disposition and limitations of his sheep allows the shepherd to provide care that is consistent with that disposition. In that picture of care is a picture of God. Allen continues, "God knows our limitations, and He does not condemn us because we have weaknesses. He does not force us where we cannot safely and happily go. God never demands of us work that is beyond our strength and abilities. Instead, God is constantly ministering to our needs. He understands the loads upon our shoulders. He also knows where the places of nourishment and refreshment are located." What comfort!
For those of us who have accepted the LORD as our Shepherd, we too can rest assured that He has our best interest in mind. I find that extremely comforting. With Him I can face the challenges and the heat of the day knowing "He leadeth me beside the still waters" (Psalm 23:2b). I can be at rest; He can be trusted.
Instinctively, sheep are afraid of moving water. Because of its heavy coat of wool it is not a good swimmer; the water would soak into the wool pulling the sheep down. Being a timid creature it is said that the sheep will not drink from a moving stream, only from still waters. In his The Healing Power of the 23rd Psalm Charles Allen writes, "The shepherd does not laugh at the sheep’s fears. He does not try to force the sheep. Instead, as he leads his sheep across the mountains and valleys, he is constantly on the watch for still waters, where the thirst of the sheep may be quenched. If there are no still waters available, while the sheep are resting, the shepherd will gather up stones to fashion a dam across a small stream to form a pool from which even the tiniest lamb may drink without fear."
Knowing the disposition and limitations of his sheep allows the shepherd to provide care that is consistent with that disposition. In that picture of care is a picture of God. Allen continues, "God knows our limitations, and He does not condemn us because we have weaknesses. He does not force us where we cannot safely and happily go. God never demands of us work that is beyond our strength and abilities. Instead, God is constantly ministering to our needs. He understands the loads upon our shoulders. He also knows where the places of nourishment and refreshment are located." What comfort!
For those of us who have accepted the LORD as our Shepherd, we too can rest assured that He has our best interest in mind. I find that extremely comforting. With Him I can face the challenges and the heat of the day knowing "He leadeth me beside the still waters" (Psalm 23:2b). I can be at rest; He can be trusted.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Resting in Green Pastures
For the sheep in the LORD's fold, the second benefit is as David writes, "He maketh me to lie down in green pastures" (Psalm 23:2a), or as some commentators note, "in pastures of tender grass." The picture here is one of calmness and rest; of flocks that lie down on the grass “fully fed” or “satisfied,” their wants being completely supplied. As is noted in verse 1, with the LORD as Shepherd the sheep knows no want. However, this picture does not provide us with an understanding of all the shepherd does to ensure his sheep are able to rest comfortably.
Is his excellent book, A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, Phillip Keller notes that because of the sheep's temperament it is "almost impossible" for them to be made to lie down unless four requirements are met: 1) Owing to their timidity they refuse to lie down unless they are free of all fear; 2) Because of the social behavior within a flock, they will not lie down unless they are free from friction with others of their kind; 3) If tormented by flies or parasites, they will not lie down. Only when free of these pests can they relax; 4) They will not lie down as long as they feel in need of finding food. They must be free from hunger. Keller continues, "It is significant that to be at rest there must be a definite sense of freedom from fear, tension, aggravations and hunger. The unique aspect of the picture is that it is only the sheepman himself who can provide release from these anxieties. It all depends upon the diligence of the owner, whether or not his flock is free of disturbing influences."
It is no wonder the Psalmist writes, "He maketh me to lie down..." In other words, given all my peculiarities and special needs, the Shepherd has done everything possible to make me (His sheep) comfortable; to lie down, to rest, to relax, to be content, quiet, and flourishing. Albert Barnes notes, "Applied to the psalmist himself, or to the people of God generally, the idea is, that the wants of the soul are met and satisfied, and that, in the full enjoyment of this, there is the conviction of abundance - the repose of the soul at present satisfied, and feeling that in such abundance want will always be unknown."
The sheep without a shepherd is restless, discontented, always agitated, disturbed, and never does well. The same is true of people. In the Christian's life there is no substitute for the assuredness that our Shepherd is nearby. There is nothing like His presence to dispel the fear, the panic, and the terror of the unknown. In Ezekiel 34:15-16a the Lord God declares, "I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord GOD. I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick" (KJV).
Obviously, this is a Shepherd who can be trusted. If you are in His fold, there is no better place to be. If you are not, the green pasture awaits. Now is as good a time as any to trust Him as your personal savior. He will then be your shepherd too.
Is his excellent book, A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, Phillip Keller notes that because of the sheep's temperament it is "almost impossible" for them to be made to lie down unless four requirements are met: 1) Owing to their timidity they refuse to lie down unless they are free of all fear; 2) Because of the social behavior within a flock, they will not lie down unless they are free from friction with others of their kind; 3) If tormented by flies or parasites, they will not lie down. Only when free of these pests can they relax; 4) They will not lie down as long as they feel in need of finding food. They must be free from hunger. Keller continues, "It is significant that to be at rest there must be a definite sense of freedom from fear, tension, aggravations and hunger. The unique aspect of the picture is that it is only the sheepman himself who can provide release from these anxieties. It all depends upon the diligence of the owner, whether or not his flock is free of disturbing influences."
It is no wonder the Psalmist writes, "He maketh me to lie down..." In other words, given all my peculiarities and special needs, the Shepherd has done everything possible to make me (His sheep) comfortable; to lie down, to rest, to relax, to be content, quiet, and flourishing. Albert Barnes notes, "Applied to the psalmist himself, or to the people of God generally, the idea is, that the wants of the soul are met and satisfied, and that, in the full enjoyment of this, there is the conviction of abundance - the repose of the soul at present satisfied, and feeling that in such abundance want will always be unknown."
The sheep without a shepherd is restless, discontented, always agitated, disturbed, and never does well. The same is true of people. In the Christian's life there is no substitute for the assuredness that our Shepherd is nearby. There is nothing like His presence to dispel the fear, the panic, and the terror of the unknown. In Ezekiel 34:15-16a the Lord God declares, "I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord GOD. I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick" (KJV).
Obviously, this is a Shepherd who can be trusted. If you are in His fold, there is no better place to be. If you are not, the green pasture awaits. Now is as good a time as any to trust Him as your personal savior. He will then be your shepherd too.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
The Lord, My Shepherd
In the first week of January as I continue to reflect upon the importance of engaging God in our lives and plans for this year and beyond, I find myself drawn to the opening verse of Psalm 23, "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want" (KJV). In these nine words the child of God, His sheep, can rest comfortably. The LORD is Jehovah, the self-existent or eternal God, and the language used is that of tender care and protection. The sheep cannot provide for itself neither can it take care of itself. It is very vulnerable, has no form of self-defense, easily influenced, easily killed, has very little discernment in choosing food or water, among other things, and so is totally dependent on the shepherd for everything it needs. No doubt this was the picture David had in mind when He penned the psalm. Being a shepherd in his youth, he would have been very well aware of the sheep's dependence on its shepherd.
The picture of the sheep is the picture of the believer, and it is this imagery that the spirit of God seeks to convey. Despite how grown and independent we think we are, the fact of the matter is that without the leading of the Shepherd we are a danger to ourselves and prime targets for the enemy. However, as long as we have the LORD as our shepherd we can rest assured that it is His responsibility to not only lead/guide us in the way we should go but also to provide the things we need for our daily survival. Albert Barnes observes, "The words shall not want, as applied to the psalmist, would embrace everything that could be a proper object of desire, whether temporal or spiritual; whether pertaining to the body or the soul; whether having reference to time or to eternity. There is no reason for supposing that David limited this to his temporal necessities, or to the present life, but the idea manifestly is that God would provide all that was needful for him always."
I believe that whatever David claimed, we have a right to claim also. If we can grasp the significance of Psalm 23:1, we would have grasped the awareness that we cannot do anything in our own strength. It is no wonder that in the parable of the lost sheep, the good shepherd left the ninety-nine others to go search for the one because he knew that left on its own it would die (Matthew 18:12-14). Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep" (John 10:11). In other words, the good shepherd is committed to the care of his sheep to the point of laying down his life. That is the kind of shepherd our God is and if we commit ourselves to being a part of His fold, He promises to take care of His own. Everything that is vital to our well-being, He is committed to providing.
"The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want." Who is leading you? Who is taking care of you?
The picture of the sheep is the picture of the believer, and it is this imagery that the spirit of God seeks to convey. Despite how grown and independent we think we are, the fact of the matter is that without the leading of the Shepherd we are a danger to ourselves and prime targets for the enemy. However, as long as we have the LORD as our shepherd we can rest assured that it is His responsibility to not only lead/guide us in the way we should go but also to provide the things we need for our daily survival. Albert Barnes observes, "The words shall not want, as applied to the psalmist, would embrace everything that could be a proper object of desire, whether temporal or spiritual; whether pertaining to the body or the soul; whether having reference to time or to eternity. There is no reason for supposing that David limited this to his temporal necessities, or to the present life, but the idea manifestly is that God would provide all that was needful for him always."
I believe that whatever David claimed, we have a right to claim also. If we can grasp the significance of Psalm 23:1, we would have grasped the awareness that we cannot do anything in our own strength. It is no wonder that in the parable of the lost sheep, the good shepherd left the ninety-nine others to go search for the one because he knew that left on its own it would die (Matthew 18:12-14). Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep" (John 10:11). In other words, the good shepherd is committed to the care of his sheep to the point of laying down his life. That is the kind of shepherd our God is and if we commit ourselves to being a part of His fold, He promises to take care of His own. Everything that is vital to our well-being, He is committed to providing.
"The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want." Who is leading you? Who is taking care of you?
Saturday, January 01, 2011
"In the Beginning God..."
As we stand on the threshold of yet another year I am reminded of the first four words from the book of Genesis, "In the beginning God," and it occurred to me that there is no greater way to start the year than by getting God involved at the very beginning of it. If we look back over the past twelve months on how we did when we tried to manage things on our own, some of us would see our pathways littered with mistakes, disappointments, failures, hurts, among other things. For others, it has been a difficult year in other areas as it seems we have been tossed to and fro by the contrary winds of life. Nothing up to now seems to make any sense.
Yet there is something comforting about having God by our side. This does not guarantee that we will not experience challenges because living in a fallen world is a challenge within itself, however, God assured the nation of Israel, "O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour" (Isaiah 43:1-3a, KJV). Because we serve Him who is the same yesterday, and today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8), we can trust Him that the same promises He made to Israel can be applied to our lives. It is important to note the use of the word "when" because it affirms that we will go through some challenging times. However, if we engage God at the beginning we have His word that He will be with us in and through every situation.
The importance of engaging God is brought out the Psalmist who reminds us, "Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain" (Psalm 127:1). This principle can be applied in and to every area of our lives. Unless the Lord builds our homes, our relationships, our marriages, our businesses, our careers, our futures, we labor in vain who try to build them ourselves. Because everything - including health, strength, clearness of mind, etc., - is under God's control, we are ultimately dependent on Him for our success. With that in mind, it makes sense that as we deliberate our plans for the new year, the most important decision we can make is to engage God.
Moses also understood how important this was. Leading the nation of Israel in the exodus from Egypt, he was not prepared to go anywhere unless God was with them - "If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence" (Exodus 33:15). It is my prayer that we will adopt the same attitude as we navigate our respective journeys, "Lord if you are not going to be with me in this thing I want/have to do, please do not let me do it." Doing anything without Him is never, ever a good idea.
"In the beginning God." Engage Him.
God's very best to you and yours for a blessed and successful 2011.
Yet there is something comforting about having God by our side. This does not guarantee that we will not experience challenges because living in a fallen world is a challenge within itself, however, God assured the nation of Israel, "O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour" (Isaiah 43:1-3a, KJV). Because we serve Him who is the same yesterday, and today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8), we can trust Him that the same promises He made to Israel can be applied to our lives. It is important to note the use of the word "when" because it affirms that we will go through some challenging times. However, if we engage God at the beginning we have His word that He will be with us in and through every situation.
The importance of engaging God is brought out the Psalmist who reminds us, "Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain" (Psalm 127:1). This principle can be applied in and to every area of our lives. Unless the Lord builds our homes, our relationships, our marriages, our businesses, our careers, our futures, we labor in vain who try to build them ourselves. Because everything - including health, strength, clearness of mind, etc., - is under God's control, we are ultimately dependent on Him for our success. With that in mind, it makes sense that as we deliberate our plans for the new year, the most important decision we can make is to engage God.
Moses also understood how important this was. Leading the nation of Israel in the exodus from Egypt, he was not prepared to go anywhere unless God was with them - "If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence" (Exodus 33:15). It is my prayer that we will adopt the same attitude as we navigate our respective journeys, "Lord if you are not going to be with me in this thing I want/have to do, please do not let me do it." Doing anything without Him is never, ever a good idea.
"In the beginning God." Engage Him.
God's very best to you and yours for a blessed and successful 2011.
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