podcast: https://www.pastorwoman.net/podcast/episode/f92130cc/keeping-it-real-one-powerful-connection
Sometimes I like to keep it real, and tip my hand on ministry and the various people God puts in my path.
This weekend, I flew to Oklahoma City.
On Friday morning, I was graveside for one prince of a man--my friend, Ed. It was my privilege to pray for his precious wife and the family and friends who loved him. In addition, I read the 23rd Psalm aloud, cherished words of David.
Freeze frame:
These two are inseparable:
the Word of God and prayer.
I memorized Psalm 23 long before I understood much of its King James meaning. But now I have context. Pictured is the Eastern shepherd. It is one of my favorite pictures from travels in Israel - to see that flocks are still tended in much the same way as in the time of David. Notice how arid, rocky and barren is the land.
Look with me: short . . . personal . . . comprehensive, the 23rd Psalm:
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
When David said, he makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside still waters, I had always pictured a lush green landscape with rippling streams . . . but often the shepherd has to find a water source. And as for green pastures? They too have to be searched out by the Israeli shepherd. Rich in meaning, vast in application is the treasury of scripture, and these very words.
On Friday morning, with snow covering the graveyard and a frigid wind blowing, the Holy Spirit combined the words of Psalm 23 with the prayer to God to 'be our shepherd'. You see, Scripture informs our prayers, tells us about who God is--his character and his actions. The two go together: prayer and the Bible.
David was probably king when he wrote this psalm; he who had been a shepherd knew all about the care and leading of sheep--how dumb they were, how needy, how lost if left to their own devices. David also vividly remembered running for his life from Saul and how God had protected him in the darkest valley … this part is his testimony.
In high school choir, we sang The Living Bible’s paraphrase of the psalm, but today I give you a different translation. Read it slowly, taking in its meaning.
The Lord is my shepherd ; I have all that I need.
2 He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.
3 He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.
4 Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.
5 You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.
6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord forever. New Living Translation
Do yourself a favor--read Psalm 23 out loud, then the hope-filled words of comfort and assurance will land on your ears as well. Take them in to your soul. Perhaps take five minutes to write it out as a personal prayer: 'Lord, because you are my shepherd, you will take care of my needs . . .'
The Lord is your Shepherd ~ your very faithful Shepherd ~ if you will follow him.
Thank you, God for The 23rd Psalm - truth, reminder, comfort for today, and hope for the future too. Amen.
Set to beautiful music, the psalm: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNccNBxateo
Christine
Comentarios