Psalm 23 A psalm of David.
1The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
2 he make makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
4 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.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
4 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.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.
I bet you have heard these words your entire life, seen them in hospitals, heard them in church, etc. But I also bet these 6 verses have never fully been explained in simple every day easy to understand terms to you have they? Their real meaning and how they apply to our lives. I've grown up in church sat in the pew every Sunday and sat in Sunday school but until recently did I FULLY understand what these powerful 6 verses that David wrote meant. These are some of the most powerful verses in the Bible.
This post is continued from Part One that I posted just a few minutes ago, since its so long and really in 2 parts what happened, the more "troubling" side of my story, and then there is Part 2 - the Joy and Light that I feel in my life and why those dark troubles just dont bother me any longer! (Please read Part 1 in order to fully understand why I posted this post!)
Let me break down Psalm 23 and how I have come to rely on these words daily and have been without even realizing it!!!!!
Jesus says in Matthew 6:27 "You cannot add at any time to your life by worrying about it.."
So why do we worry? I used to be a major worrier! I still struggle with that from time to time. I mean who doesnt? But I do stop and give it to God when I do and trust that he will take care of. Some burdens are too big for us to carry or resolve. And if its a worry that we cannot find the solution to then we need to rely on his wisdom to help us find the answer.
David wrote the 23rd Psalm. He was a shepherd. So in his terms you must understand the role of his job, and what kind of animal sheep really are.
Sheep are filthy defenseless animals, and I have to add - the most stupid of all 4 legged creatures. Oh how I love them dont get me wrong, they just arent smart! They literally have no way to defend themselves and when a predator attacks they just run in a tight circle that allows a predator to pick them off easily one by one. They depend on the Shepherd for protection, to lead them to food and water, and keep them safe from disease, basically to get from day to day, minute to minute. So its crucial for the Shepherd to be diligent and on alert, caring and protective, all knowing at all times, and 10 steps ahead of his flock. They totally depend on him for EVERYTHING in their lives in order to live. With out the Shepherd they are completely vulnerable. Their odor draws in prey constantly from far away and attacks were constant.
So in verse 1 - The LORD is my shepherd I shall not want. David is telling us prolifically with utter faith that with GOD there is nothing we will want...he is being our Shepherd, guiding us, protecting us, leading us where we need to go, giving us what we need, caring for us and loving us as the Shepherd loves his flock of sheep.
David declares that "He LEADS me beside the still waters". And in case you missed Davids point, he repeats the phrase in the next verse: "He LEADS me in the paths of righteousness."
Thats just it...David understood that God is LEADING us just like David led his sheep, he isnt behind us pushing us, he is 10 steps ahead clearing the way telling us to "come - trust me - have faith" and I will lead you to a calm place to rest your soul. Take your steps here when your climbing that mountain, "no dont step there, that rock will make you fall, this rock is firm follow me in my foot steps follow this path I have cleared" "turn here". When we listen we come to those still waters in our soul where worry is gone and happiness and rest can enter our hearts. That is where God is begging us to let him lead us to. David knew this.
God tells us just what we need to know WHEN we need to know it, and he leads us. The Bible says in Hebrews 4:16 "We will find grace to help WHEN WE NEED IT."
Faith. We must walk daily in faith. No matter how big or how small that faith may be.
God will always place himself between you and that need that you have, at the right time when you need it- and at the right time he will give you the help and the tools you need. (Mark 13:11)
So let me say this....in dealing with the major troubles I dealt with the last 4 weeks I have learned with out realizing what Psalm 23rd truly meant that I was relying on these words: His provision is timely...so enjoy the present. Dont live in the past or your worries...have the faith that God will intervene at the right time and give you the tools to handle your life.
Just give your entire attention to what God is doing at this very moment in your life! Right NOW! You know when you get all worked up about tomorrow and what might happen (and what probably wont come true - or may who knows?) your wasting precious energy. God will help you deal with it. Whatever hard times come up God will help you WHEN THE TIME COMES. It doesnt matter anyway because we cant see the future. God hasnt given you that ability. He isnt going to let you see the distant scene ahead anyway so might as well quit trying to look for it. BUT he does promise a light unto our feet! NOT A psychic vision unto our future!
Hebrews 4:16 "We will find grace to help us when we need it" Memorize this....
Verse 5 is THE most powerful verse written in Psalm 23. ..."You anoint my head with oil". the one line I've skipped over never understanding what in the world that meant.
Let me explain.
Sheep in the hot months are bothered relentlessly by flies that swarm their bodies, mostly their heads. They try to rid themselves of the flies by banging their heads on the ground, rocks, and trees, anything they can. They literally go insane, open their skin with large wounds that quickly fester with infection from the filth that cover them from the inability to clean themselves. Shepherds gathered herbs and made an ointment that they would several times a day pour over the heads of their flock to keep the flies away. This oil would also deflect the blows from the overzealous rams during fighting, and heal wounds that the sheep may encounter. The sheep did learn that the oil was a part of routine, something that sheep, though not smart animals, would learn and would come to the shepherd and bow their heads for the shepherds easily for their treatments. How amazing. Nature and Gods creation is AMAZING! When you think about those simple words and the importance of this oil in Davids daily life with his job....and how he implied when referring to us, as sheep...then you must understand that this is so powerful! David calls us Sheep...we are after all..imperfect, filthy, sinful, followers, unable to protect ourselves, needing to be led, needing that precious life saving oil anointed several times a day to protect us from the sins of daily life and constant attacks of those "flies" that surround us wanting to make US cause ourselves harm. Our shepherd is always watching over us..leading us to those green pastures, still waters to rest quietly, protecting us from predators. He is LEADING us..not following us. His staff is battling our needs and when the time is right he pours those oils on our heads and gives us that tool to handle that problem we have. At the right time.
So thats how I'm able today to get up and let it go...breathe and move on when troubles arise. I HAVE to give it to a higher power that is all knowing.. A higher power that has a name...God.
All those years ago, a young shepherd, considered lowly and of little worth in society because he guarded the dirtiest of all animals, wrote some of the most powerful words of all and understood fully Gods love and passion for us. He understood that we are sheep being led by a shepherd in life....his faith is something unfathomable to be sometimes...something I strive for. This is the same David that killed Goliath with a simple stone thrown from a sling shot and ridiculed by an army for attempting to do so....and today, thousands of years later, his words are memorized by millions, prayed daily and nightly, given as comfort at someones deathbed, hanging in every church and hospital.....I wonder if he knew then just how prolific his words were when he penned this small song to his Lord? It has been powerful to me...
I know that today after the storm of the last 4 weeks have passed and I woke up today and understanding that God has led me through this major storm in my life with people I truly love, that he will give me grace to handle this as I need to. In time, his time, he will tell me what to do when I need to and give me those tools. Right now is my season to walk away from it.
Here are a few verses I'm reminded of ...I'd like to share them with you...
"Lead me Kindly Light"
Lead, Kindly Light...
Keep though my feet: I do not ask to see
The distance scene; on step enough for me
So one step at a time..as Rich Mullins says..And step by step you'll lead me, and I will follow you all of my days....
Right now I'm letting my God lead me...and waiting on His time to tell me what to do, and behaving with the grace I know he wants me to show the ones that have treated me cruelly.
Psalms 23 is how I got up this morning, and how I "Let it go..."
I bet you have heard these words your entire life, seen them in hospitals, heard them in church, etc. But I also bet these 6 verses have never fully been explained in simple every day easy to understand terms to you have they? Their real meaning and how they apply to our lives. I've grown up in church sat in the pew every Sunday and sat in Sunday school but until recently did I FULLY understand what these powerful 6 verses that David wrote meant. These are some of the most powerful verses in the Bible.
This post is continued from Part One that I posted just a few minutes ago, since its so long and really in 2 parts what happened, the more "troubling" side of my story, and then there is Part 2 - the Joy and Light that I feel in my life and why those dark troubles just dont bother me any longer! (Please read Part 1 in order to fully understand why I posted this post!)
Let me break down Psalm 23 and how I have come to rely on these words daily and have been without even realizing it!!!!!
Jesus says in Matthew 6:27 "You cannot add at any time to your life by worrying about it.."
So why do we worry? I used to be a major worrier! I still struggle with that from time to time. I mean who doesnt? But I do stop and give it to God when I do and trust that he will take care of. Some burdens are too big for us to carry or resolve. And if its a worry that we cannot find the solution to then we need to rely on his wisdom to help us find the answer.
David wrote the 23rd Psalm. He was a shepherd. So in his terms you must understand the role of his job, and what kind of animal sheep really are.
Sheep are filthy defenseless animals, and I have to add - the most stupid of all 4 legged creatures. Oh how I love them dont get me wrong, they just arent smart! They literally have no way to defend themselves and when a predator attacks they just run in a tight circle that allows a predator to pick them off easily one by one. They depend on the Shepherd for protection, to lead them to food and water, and keep them safe from disease, basically to get from day to day, minute to minute. So its crucial for the Shepherd to be diligent and on alert, caring and protective, all knowing at all times, and 10 steps ahead of his flock. They totally depend on him for EVERYTHING in their lives in order to live. With out the Shepherd they are completely vulnerable. Their odor draws in prey constantly from far away and attacks were constant.
So in verse 1 - The LORD is my shepherd I shall not want. David is telling us prolifically with utter faith that with GOD there is nothing we will want...he is being our Shepherd, guiding us, protecting us, leading us where we need to go, giving us what we need, caring for us and loving us as the Shepherd loves his flock of sheep.
David declares that "He LEADS me beside the still waters". And in case you missed Davids point, he repeats the phrase in the next verse: "He LEADS me in the paths of righteousness."
Thats just it...David understood that God is LEADING us just like David led his sheep, he isnt behind us pushing us, he is 10 steps ahead clearing the way telling us to "come - trust me - have faith" and I will lead you to a calm place to rest your soul. Take your steps here when your climbing that mountain, "no dont step there, that rock will make you fall, this rock is firm follow me in my foot steps follow this path I have cleared" "turn here". When we listen we come to those still waters in our soul where worry is gone and happiness and rest can enter our hearts. That is where God is begging us to let him lead us to. David knew this.
God tells us just what we need to know WHEN we need to know it, and he leads us. The Bible says in Hebrews 4:16 "We will find grace to help WHEN WE NEED IT."
Faith. We must walk daily in faith. No matter how big or how small that faith may be.
God will always place himself between you and that need that you have, at the right time when you need it- and at the right time he will give you the help and the tools you need. (Mark 13:11)
So let me say this....in dealing with the major troubles I dealt with the last 4 weeks I have learned with out realizing what Psalm 23rd truly meant that I was relying on these words: His provision is timely...so enjoy the present. Dont live in the past or your worries...have the faith that God will intervene at the right time and give you the tools to handle your life.
Just give your entire attention to what God is doing at this very moment in your life! Right NOW! You know when you get all worked up about tomorrow and what might happen (and what probably wont come true - or may who knows?) your wasting precious energy. God will help you deal with it. Whatever hard times come up God will help you WHEN THE TIME COMES. It doesnt matter anyway because we cant see the future. God hasnt given you that ability. He isnt going to let you see the distant scene ahead anyway so might as well quit trying to look for it. BUT he does promise a light unto our feet! NOT A psychic vision unto our future!
Hebrews 4:16 "We will find grace to help us when we need it" Memorize this....
Verse 5 is THE most powerful verse written in Psalm 23. ..."You anoint my head with oil". the one line I've skipped over never understanding what in the world that meant.
Let me explain.
Sheep in the hot months are bothered relentlessly by flies that swarm their bodies, mostly their heads. They try to rid themselves of the flies by banging their heads on the ground, rocks, and trees, anything they can. They literally go insane, open their skin with large wounds that quickly fester with infection from the filth that cover them from the inability to clean themselves. Shepherds gathered herbs and made an ointment that they would several times a day pour over the heads of their flock to keep the flies away. This oil would also deflect the blows from the overzealous rams during fighting, and heal wounds that the sheep may encounter. The sheep did learn that the oil was a part of routine, something that sheep, though not smart animals, would learn and would come to the shepherd and bow their heads for the shepherds easily for their treatments. How amazing. Nature and Gods creation is AMAZING! When you think about those simple words and the importance of this oil in Davids daily life with his job....and how he implied when referring to us, as sheep...then you must understand that this is so powerful! David calls us Sheep...we are after all..imperfect, filthy, sinful, followers, unable to protect ourselves, needing to be led, needing that precious life saving oil anointed several times a day to protect us from the sins of daily life and constant attacks of those "flies" that surround us wanting to make US cause ourselves harm. Our shepherd is always watching over us..leading us to those green pastures, still waters to rest quietly, protecting us from predators. He is LEADING us..not following us. His staff is battling our needs and when the time is right he pours those oils on our heads and gives us that tool to handle that problem we have. At the right time.
So thats how I'm able today to get up and let it go...breathe and move on when troubles arise. I HAVE to give it to a higher power that is all knowing.. A higher power that has a name...God.
All those years ago, a young shepherd, considered lowly and of little worth in society because he guarded the dirtiest of all animals, wrote some of the most powerful words of all and understood fully Gods love and passion for us. He understood that we are sheep being led by a shepherd in life....his faith is something unfathomable to be sometimes...something I strive for. This is the same David that killed Goliath with a simple stone thrown from a sling shot and ridiculed by an army for attempting to do so....and today, thousands of years later, his words are memorized by millions, prayed daily and nightly, given as comfort at someones deathbed, hanging in every church and hospital.....I wonder if he knew then just how prolific his words were when he penned this small song to his Lord? It has been powerful to me...
I know that today after the storm of the last 4 weeks have passed and I woke up today and understanding that God has led me through this major storm in my life with people I truly love, that he will give me grace to handle this as I need to. In time, his time, he will tell me what to do when I need to and give me those tools. Right now is my season to walk away from it.
Here are a few verses I'm reminded of ...I'd like to share them with you...
"Lead me Kindly Light"
Lead, Kindly Light...
Keep though my feet: I do not ask to see
The distance scene; on step enough for me
So one step at a time..as Rich Mullins says..And step by step you'll lead me, and I will follow you all of my days....
Right now I'm letting my God lead me...and waiting on His time to tell me what to do, and behaving with the grace I know he wants me to show the ones that have treated me cruelly.
Psalms 23 is how I got up this morning, and how I "Let it go..."
Based on your recommendation I ordered Max Lucado's, "Traveling Light" and loved it! It is such an encouraging look at the 23rd Psalm! It prompted me to memorize it so that I can recite it whenever I feel the need for comfort or to be reminded to trust in God for everything.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIt was an amazing book! I referred to my notes when I wrote this post I have been referring to them a lot lately with the things that have happened recently. The chapter on Psalm 23 has been so comforting. These verses and insight have been so wonderful at just the right time, it seems that its been a tool given when I needed it, at just the right time come to think of it, so I had to pass along some of what I have read. The anointing with oil just blew me away when I realized just how simple those words sound but how significant they really are!
ReplyDelete