What was David thinking when he wrote, "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies" (Psalm 23:5a)? As the shepherd leads his flock across the Israeli pastures, his diligence is not limited to looking out for wild animals and finding places suitable for grazing and rest, he also must be familiar with plants. By virtue of its disposition, the sheep is a constant danger to itself; it does not discriminate in its eating habits. Poisonous plants, if eaten, would be fatal and the sharp thorns on other plants would penetrate its soft nose causing ugly sores.
The high plateaus of the sheep ranges are referred to as "tables" and because his sheep has incredible value to him, the shepherd goes to great length and trouble to prepare the “table” prior to the sheep’s arrival. He would dig out dangerous plants, these enemies of the sheep, pile them up, and burn them making the pastures safe for the sheep to graze. In effect, by destroying the enemies he prepared a table from which his flock could eat without any harm coming to them. Pastor Gray Smith writes, "The shepherd intentionally spends time walking throughout the table-top area, wanting to be seen, leaving his scent, if you will, intentionally making the wild dogs, or mountain lions wary and uncomfortable. The good shepherd leaves nothing to chance when it comes to the welfare of His flock."
This was the picture in David's mind as he talks about what it means to be in the care of the Shepherd. As sheep passing through a hostile environment, we are reminded that Satan is the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4). Because he and his army are enemies of the Good Shepherd and His sheep, he goes to great lengths in his efforts to steal from, to kill and to destroy the child of God (John 10:10a). By ourselves we are easy prey, but thank God we have a Good Shepherd who has gone to great lengths to protect His flock (John 10:11). All things - including Satan and his army - are under His feet (Ephesians 1:22) and so He is able to destroy the enemies of His sheep and cause His sheep to prosper.
It is comforting to know that with the LORD as our Shepherd, we are protected. He is powerful enough to set for each of us a table of feast in the middle of our enemies and make them watch as we eat, drink, and make merry. I like that picture and I am glad He is leading me.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Thy Rod and Thy Staff Comfort Me
Why would a sheep find comfort in the rod and staff of the shepherd? Trusting him for guidance over difficult and dangerous terrains, the sheep, because of its characteristics, tend to wander off into trouble and because it doesn't pay attention well, it is easy prey to any wild beast of the field. In such situations, it experiences fear. The sheep is incapable of defending itself and so rely on the good shepherd for its protection. It is important to note that in David's time, sheep were not kept as pets but were extremely valuable to families. Therefore, the shepherd had a vital role to play in the family’s welfare and future.
The Psalmist, in his years as a shepherd, had reasons to protect his flock from danger when he slew a lion and a bear (1 Samuel 17), and it was this same sense of being protected by the LORD, his Shepherd, that he unveils in the psalm. In those days shepherds used rods and staffs to protect the sheep from harm or, in other cases, to get the sheep out of harm’s way. The shepherd used the rod as a defensive weapon to fight off predatory animals like wolves and bears. The staff - which measured about 8 feet in length - was used by the shepherd as a tool to get the sheep out of a difficult spot. Sheep were known to get caught in the brushes, so the shepherd would use the crooked end of the staff to pull the sheep out of the thicket and draw the sheep out to the shepherd’s protective care. In some cases, the sheep would lose its footing and slip down, hanging helplessly on some ledge below. With his staff, the shepherd could reach down, place the crook over the small chest of the sheep and lift it back onto the pathway. If the sheep fell into a pit, the shepherd would hook the staff around the lamb’s neck and pull it to safety. The picture presented is to save the sheep from harm and to draw the sheep close to the shepherd.
In his book, Surprised by Suffering, R.C. Sproul writes, “Without the shepherd the sheep would be helpless in the shadowy valley. But as long as the shepherd was present, the lamb had nothing to fear. If the shepherd fell, all would be lost for the sheep. But we have a shepherd who cannot fall. We have a shepherd who cannot die. He is no hireling who abandons his flock at the first sign of trouble. Our shepherd is armed with omnipotent force. He is not threatened by the valley of shadows. He created the valley. He redeems the valley.” What a Shepherd!
Knowing that our God is a loving and protective Shepherd who is actively looking out for us is not only powerful but very reassuring. To know and accept this revelation deep in our hearts should give us tremendous strength to endure during the difficult times on our individual journeys. It is good to know that we have an all-powerful shepherd who is infinitely capable of caring for, protecting and rescuing us from any sort of danger. The thing to remember is that along this journey we are incapable of taking care of ourselves. However, we do not need to worry about the present or the future because He, our Shepherd, has everything under control. To Him be all the glory.
The Psalmist, in his years as a shepherd, had reasons to protect his flock from danger when he slew a lion and a bear (1 Samuel 17), and it was this same sense of being protected by the LORD, his Shepherd, that he unveils in the psalm. In those days shepherds used rods and staffs to protect the sheep from harm or, in other cases, to get the sheep out of harm’s way. The shepherd used the rod as a defensive weapon to fight off predatory animals like wolves and bears. The staff - which measured about 8 feet in length - was used by the shepherd as a tool to get the sheep out of a difficult spot. Sheep were known to get caught in the brushes, so the shepherd would use the crooked end of the staff to pull the sheep out of the thicket and draw the sheep out to the shepherd’s protective care. In some cases, the sheep would lose its footing and slip down, hanging helplessly on some ledge below. With his staff, the shepherd could reach down, place the crook over the small chest of the sheep and lift it back onto the pathway. If the sheep fell into a pit, the shepherd would hook the staff around the lamb’s neck and pull it to safety. The picture presented is to save the sheep from harm and to draw the sheep close to the shepherd.
In his book, Surprised by Suffering, R.C. Sproul writes, “Without the shepherd the sheep would be helpless in the shadowy valley. But as long as the shepherd was present, the lamb had nothing to fear. If the shepherd fell, all would be lost for the sheep. But we have a shepherd who cannot fall. We have a shepherd who cannot die. He is no hireling who abandons his flock at the first sign of trouble. Our shepherd is armed with omnipotent force. He is not threatened by the valley of shadows. He created the valley. He redeems the valley.” What a Shepherd!
Knowing that our God is a loving and protective Shepherd who is actively looking out for us is not only powerful but very reassuring. To know and accept this revelation deep in our hearts should give us tremendous strength to endure during the difficult times on our individual journeys. It is good to know that we have an all-powerful shepherd who is infinitely capable of caring for, protecting and rescuing us from any sort of danger. The thing to remember is that along this journey we are incapable of taking care of ourselves. However, we do not need to worry about the present or the future because He, our Shepherd, has everything under control. To Him be all the glory.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Through the Valley Without Fear
What does it mean to walk through the valley of the shadow of death? Has the Shepherd become careless? Is He endangering His sheep? At this juncture the Psalm adopts a more intimate tone. It becomes more personal as the personal pronouns "I" and "You" enter the conversation. Philip Keller notes that here the sheep "address the shepherd directly. . . . It becomes a most intimate discourse of deep affection."
As sheep and shepherd move slowly along the paths, gradually working their way up the mountains into the high country, Keller continues, "During this time the flock is entirely alone with the shepherd. They are in intimate contact with him and under his most personal attention day and night. . . . [I]t is well to remember that all of this is done against the dramatic background of wild mountains, rushing rivers, alpine meadows, and high rangelands." To have the shepherd there must be very comforting to the sheep. Likewise, isn't it comforting to know that during our most challenging times of trials, disappointments, and distresses we have the personal attention of our Shepherd? David was very knowledgeable of the difficulties and dangers that had to be navigated on the walk into the high country. There was the danger of "floods, avalanches, rock slides, poisonous plants, the ravages of predators that raid the flock, or the awesome storms of sleet and hail and snow." He knew that the sheep was totally dependent on the shepherd and that the good shepherd would do everything in his power to care for and protect his flock. It was with that awareness and confidence in God's integrity that he was able to declare, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me" (Psalm 23:4a, KJV).
Even though the paths are filled with dangers, the presence of the Shepherd instills a confidence that says, "You [my Shepherd] are with me, I will not fear." It is the same message of reassurance that Jesus gives to every believer, "I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you] (John 16:33, The Amplified). In other words, though you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, have perfect peace and confidence in me for I have overcome the world and as such it cannot conquer you. Of course, because He already overcame the world He would lead the way for us to follow in that victory.
Often times the enemy would have us believe that the things along our paths will be our undoing. That they would get the better of us leaving us utterly defeated. However, it is interesting to note that the Psalmist declares that he walks through this particular valley. In other words, no matter how rough things become he would not stop there nor would he die there, but that under the leading of his Shepherd he would walk it through to the other side.
Our valley experiences do not have to intimidate us and we do not have to be afraid of going through them. We are not alone neither are we ever alone. The LORD, our Shepherd, promises never to leave nor forsake us and so He is with us every step of the way.
As sheep and shepherd move slowly along the paths, gradually working their way up the mountains into the high country, Keller continues, "During this time the flock is entirely alone with the shepherd. They are in intimate contact with him and under his most personal attention day and night. . . . [I]t is well to remember that all of this is done against the dramatic background of wild mountains, rushing rivers, alpine meadows, and high rangelands." To have the shepherd there must be very comforting to the sheep. Likewise, isn't it comforting to know that during our most challenging times of trials, disappointments, and distresses we have the personal attention of our Shepherd? David was very knowledgeable of the difficulties and dangers that had to be navigated on the walk into the high country. There was the danger of "floods, avalanches, rock slides, poisonous plants, the ravages of predators that raid the flock, or the awesome storms of sleet and hail and snow." He knew that the sheep was totally dependent on the shepherd and that the good shepherd would do everything in his power to care for and protect his flock. It was with that awareness and confidence in God's integrity that he was able to declare, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me" (Psalm 23:4a, KJV).
Even though the paths are filled with dangers, the presence of the Shepherd instills a confidence that says, "You [my Shepherd] are with me, I will not fear." It is the same message of reassurance that Jesus gives to every believer, "I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you] (John 16:33, The Amplified). In other words, though you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, have perfect peace and confidence in me for I have overcome the world and as such it cannot conquer you. Of course, because He already overcame the world He would lead the way for us to follow in that victory.
Often times the enemy would have us believe that the things along our paths will be our undoing. That they would get the better of us leaving us utterly defeated. However, it is interesting to note that the Psalmist declares that he walks through this particular valley. In other words, no matter how rough things become he would not stop there nor would he die there, but that under the leading of his Shepherd he would walk it through to the other side.
Our valley experiences do not have to intimidate us and we do not have to be afraid of going through them. We are not alone neither are we ever alone. The LORD, our Shepherd, promises never to leave nor forsake us and so He is with us every step of the way.
Monday, February 07, 2011
He Leadeth Me
Decisions, decisions, decisions. It seems everywhere we turn they are waiting to be made and even after making them, we are often times undecided about those decisions we made. Life would be wonderful if we had a sure-fire way of knowing how to make the right ones. However, we try to do the best we can with the information we have, using our God given wisdom to assess situations and trust the Lord that everything will turn out the way they should.
Sheep do not have that ability. Not being the smartest of animals, they also have no sense of direction. Charles Allen writes, "The sheep has very poor eyes. It cannot see 10 or 15 yards ahead. Palestinian fields were covered with narrow paths over which the shepherds led their sheep to pasture. Some of these paths led to a precipice over which the simple sheep might fall to its death. Other paths lead up a blind alley. But some paths lead to green pastures and still waters. The sheep followed the shepherd, knowing they were walking in the right path." What does that have to do with us? I am glad you asked.
When we come to the LORD we become His sheep and He, our Shepherd. In a sense we take on the characteristic of the sheep. Trying to navigate the Christian walk is filled with various challenges and dangers. There are all kinds of paths that seem to be the right ones yet we are reminded that "there is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death" (Proverbs 14:12, NLT). The decisions we make along these paths are life and death decisions spiritually, and to use our secular abilities to live the Christian life is like trying to walk blindfolded across a busy roadway. We need the guidance of the Shepherd if we are to make it home safely.
Because of his experience as a shepherd boy, the Psalmist David was fully aware of the sheep's vulnerabilities. Putting himself in its place, he was acutely aware of his reliance on the LORD, His Shepherd to lead [guide, direct] him and so it was with confidence in God's ability that he says, "He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake" (Psalm 23:3b, KJV). Notice the words “He leadeth me” because it affirms who is in charge; the sheep doesn’t attempt to go ahead of the Shepherd. Also, to be righteous is to be in right standing with God. Not only will He lead us, being the one in charge, but He will do so in and along the pathways that are pleasing to Him.
So as we acknowledge our reliance upon Him to make it through this world successfully, despite the odds, let us remember the words of Solomon, "Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths" (Proverbs 3:5-6, The Amplified). He knows the way; our job is to follow Him.
Sheep do not have that ability. Not being the smartest of animals, they also have no sense of direction. Charles Allen writes, "The sheep has very poor eyes. It cannot see 10 or 15 yards ahead. Palestinian fields were covered with narrow paths over which the shepherds led their sheep to pasture. Some of these paths led to a precipice over which the simple sheep might fall to its death. Other paths lead up a blind alley. But some paths lead to green pastures and still waters. The sheep followed the shepherd, knowing they were walking in the right path." What does that have to do with us? I am glad you asked.
When we come to the LORD we become His sheep and He, our Shepherd. In a sense we take on the characteristic of the sheep. Trying to navigate the Christian walk is filled with various challenges and dangers. There are all kinds of paths that seem to be the right ones yet we are reminded that "there is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death" (Proverbs 14:12, NLT). The decisions we make along these paths are life and death decisions spiritually, and to use our secular abilities to live the Christian life is like trying to walk blindfolded across a busy roadway. We need the guidance of the Shepherd if we are to make it home safely.
Because of his experience as a shepherd boy, the Psalmist David was fully aware of the sheep's vulnerabilities. Putting himself in its place, he was acutely aware of his reliance on the LORD, His Shepherd to lead [guide, direct] him and so it was with confidence in God's ability that he says, "He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake" (Psalm 23:3b, KJV). Notice the words “He leadeth me” because it affirms who is in charge; the sheep doesn’t attempt to go ahead of the Shepherd. Also, to be righteous is to be in right standing with God. Not only will He lead us, being the one in charge, but He will do so in and along the pathways that are pleasing to Him.
So as we acknowledge our reliance upon Him to make it through this world successfully, despite the odds, let us remember the words of Solomon, "Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths" (Proverbs 3:5-6, The Amplified). He knows the way; our job is to follow Him.
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