January 14, 2022

My 89 year old father mentioned that he is having problems remembering the 23rd Psalm. I memorized it in KJ version and you rarely hear that these days, but it is SO beautiful!
As I read it, I remembered reading 1 Sam 17:34-36 34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant was tending his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and took a sheep from the flock, 35 I went out after it and [a]attacked it, and rescued the sheep from its mouth; and when it rose up against me, I grabbed it by its mane and struck it and killed it. 36 Your servant has [b]killed both the lion and the bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, since he has defied the armies of the living God.”
I found that verse interesting because David is not the timid, quiet shepherd that we sometimes think of in this verse.
I read a devotion once about why the Lord is referred to as a “Good Shepherd”. I also have a friend who raises sheep. This insight is helpful to understand the Shepherd. Sheep are not the smartest animal. They are not fast, or agile. They actually have very few self defense mechanisms. As I read some of these things, I realized just how much I am like the sheep. 1) Wanders off easily, getting lost or walking into danger. YEP! THAT’s me! 2) No sense, would walk up to the fastest flowing part of the river to get a drink & then would be swept away. YES! 3) Not only slow, but clumsy… well… yes, that’s me too. 4) Easily caught in a snare, like bramble bushes. (in my case, it may be the enemy’s snare). 5) Timid & fearful, I definitely have my days! 6) They are easily “cast” which means they tip over easily, often from too much fur. Some times called “down cast” and when a sheep is down cast it usually cannot get up on its own and will die unless the shepherd lifts it. (I have been emotionally downcast). 7) Sheep are the neediest farm animal. They require more maintenance than others and much more “watching”. YEP! I am definitely needy Lord. I know this because I come to you SO often with the smallest problems.
Nothing in the Bible is random. Every word and thought are there for our teaching. Read this today, slowly. Acknowledging that God is our provider and we have no needs. That He protects and cares for us by giving us rest and He alone restores our soul. He is our protector, when we are surrounded by evil. Even our enemies cannot get past Him. We have MORE than we need!
23 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
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.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup 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 forever.
I pray that in this New Year each of you will feel His presence, His leading, His protection, His comfort, His provision, and most of all His LOVE.