Devotions with Pastor John

How are you holding up? 

The Lord is my Shepherd...

Today we're going to talk about the great Psalm that comforts everyone, Psalm 23.  You know it, you love it, if you haven't memorized it, you should.  It's at times like these when we're faced with constant fears that we need the Word of God to be quick on our lips.  So memorize because this won't be the last time we need to have the Word in our hearts and minds.

Psalm 23 King James Version (KJV)

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 for ever.

Verse 1:  Who is the Shepherd?  Why it's the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.  The book of Ezekiel calls the kings of Israel "shepherds."  But they were all terrible and allowed the sheep to be harmed.  Not so with Jesus, the Good Shepherd.  David, who wrote this Psalm, is just anticipating the arrival of the Messiah.  He's looking forward to a time when things will be better because the Good Shepherd is here.  We live in those times.  The Good Shepherd is with us and will protect us.  We are the sheep of his pasture and the flock of his hand.  

We learn in this verse that the sheep of this shepherd want nothing.  They have all they need.  They are provisioned and protected.  

Maybe the current global emergency is helping you to change your perspective on what you need and what you want.  Maybe some priorities are beginning to emerge.  Maybe it's getting easier to say what's really important to you.  

This is what I see God doing for me in this virus time.  He's given me to understand that I want life.   Real life.  Not the cheap imitation.  A life that is full and of consequence.  Not wasted on silly things and running to and fro, chasing after the wind.  I need health.  Suddenly I value health.  Normally, I ignore it.  I'm busy.  But now, health is very important.  Everyday I sit myself down and I remind myself that my life is His.  He gave it to me.  One day I will pass on to the Real Life of Heaven and I will live and reign with Him forever and forever.  In other words, I remind myself that this is not all their is.  The best is yet to come.  Hallelujah.  God's got my life and it's safe with him.  

Here's another thing that the Good Shepherd provides and is not wanting.  Love.  The  love of God, which really is really important right now, and the love of family and friends.  All these things are so important and yet before now, so many of us were caught up in silly errands and chasing after the wind.  Now, we understand what is really important about life and it the things that the Good Shepherd provides and makes possible.  We are not wanting for love.

Time.  The Shepherd has given us time.  It's a gift.  Oh!  Lately, in light of the virus, I've realized how much time I've wasted.  How much time I've invested in things that don't matter and never bore fruit.  God, teach us to number our days aright.  Let each day be a blessing, with time to love and be loved, to appreciate the wonder of life.

Thoughts.  We need to think big thoughts because we are made in the image and likeness of a Big God.  We waste our lives on little thoughts.  So many little, inconsequential thoughts.  Times like this, times of danger and consequence, require big thoughts.  I hope when all this is over and we go back to life as we knew it, if it that is possible, that we don't waste our time on little thoughts anymore.  

He leads me beside the still waters, he restores my soul.  There are times when the Good Shepherd takes us to places of quiet and beauty so that we can find our rest in Him.  I believe He would take us to such places more frequently, if we'd let him.  We all need such places and such times away with our Shepherd.  We can have such times when we give him time in prayer.  Not just praying through our lists.  Not those kind of busy prayers.  But the kind of prayers where we settle our selves and allow ourselves to be quiet before him.  He can speak to us in such times.  He can "restore our souls."  We all need this kind of rest.  We often think of rest as a kind of vacation.  But for most of the people on planet earth and for most of our history, it has been impossible to go on vacation.  How did people survive?  How did they rest?  They quieted themselves before God and He restored them.  The Sabbath is not a suggestion, it is a command.  And yet, we sheep, run about so much we forget to take time for rejuvenating affects of simply being still before God and allowing him to restore us. 

In these quiet moments with the Shepherd we realize that He has all we truly want and need and graciously supplies it to us everyday.  Most of the time we don't even realize it.

Verse 4:  "Though."  It means "but."  Ah, life isn't all quiet waters and green fields.  There is the looming valley of the shadow of death.  And all of us must spend our time in the valley.  But when that times comes, still the Shepherd is with us.  He is with us and comforts us and his provision and protection are still available.  Sometimes we think that life is always supposed to be good.  But it isn't.  That's one of the devil's greatest lies.  Life is hard.  Death is always lurking about the edges, in the shadows.  But knowing the Shepherd is always with us should give us joy and courage to face the shadows.  Even now, during this dread time of plague.

Verse 5;  He prepares a table for you in the presence of your enemies.  He anoints your head with oil.  You have plenty - a cup that overflows with blessing.  

Today, people are proud of the fact that they haven't any enemies.  But Jesus told us that we would have them.  HE said the world hated him and it would hate us, his followers, too.  Maybe you can't imagine the names of the ones who hate you.  Maybe you can.  But if you follow Jesus, people will hate you.  They hate you because you are his.  Because you belong to the Shepherd and they hate him and all he has.  They hate your faith, they hate your courage, they hate it that you can walk through the valley of the shadow without fear of evil.  They hate it that you have a place to go, a life, safe with the Shepherd in eternity.  For you, there is more and better to come.  They hate that you think of others when they think only of themselves.  They hate that you have life, and have it to the full because He gave it to you.  They hate it that when you are hated you love back.  I could go on and on.  You get the picture.  

Now imagine all those haters.  Haters of God, ultimately, and haters of you.  Behold your enemies!  And they all have to watch as the Shepherd sees you to your special table.  Makes a great fuss of recognizing you and seating you.  Pours oil on your head.  Sets you apart.  Rewards you publicly.  By so doing, He humiliates them.  You did not seek to exult yourself.  You have lived your life, following the Shepherd in humility.  Now, He Himself exults you.

And what is more, He gives you a place to live with Him.  And Goodness and Mercy are your constant companions.  In this life you will have trouble, but be of Good Cheer!  The Good Shepherd has overcome the world and in the world to come, having endured the hardship of this life with a humble faith in Him, Goodness and Mercy follow you around and bless you as you live in His house forevermore. 

Let's pray:  Dearest Shepherd, Lord Jesus, Good Shepherd of the Sheep,  thank you for having mercy on me, a sinner.  During this time of trial, provide and protect me and our planet.  Use this time to draw other sheep to yourself that they may know your life and faithfulness.  Thank you that you are always with us, especially now, during this journey through the valley of the shadow of death.  We know you are with us.  Your rod and staff comfort us.  For you are Good and your Mercy endures forever.  Amen.

Hold fast, Zion.  Relax in his peace.  

Thanks for reading.