Phillip Keller writes in his book "A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23" that "It is no accident that God chose to call us sheep.The behavior of sheep and human being is similar in many ways....Our mass mind (mob instincts), our fears and timidity, our stubbornness and stupidity , our perverse habits are all parallels of profound importance". It is well he called us sheep, if you doubt it just watch the next time the media speaks or a charismatic leader comes along.
People act like sheep, but you can be part of God's flock if you wish. Though I fear I am no longer Christ's little lamb, the years have made me his fat, crusty old ewe. But He is our dear Shepherd, and I love him..He is the good Shepherd, like he says in John.
I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. John 10:11 (And He did).
Wiktionary says a shepherd is "someone who watches over, looks after, or guides."
A Psalm of David.
1 The LORD is my shepherd, therefore I lack nothing.....(as a person who has been direction-ally challenged all my life I feel a need for a Shepherd, the world is a confusing place at best and it is comforting to be able to function under the guiding hand of one who knows exactly what I need and where I am suppose to go. Someone wiser and stronger than I, He knows where we are going even if I don't.) The Psalm farther states that I am to "lack Nothing' and this is true, just as a human shepherd provides for the needs of his flock my shepherd provides for me. Not always in luxury and over abundance but always enough..and exactly what I need.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,..... (I saw a video the other day that explained that green pastures didn't mean the same thing to king David as it does to us..it seems like something must have gone wrong in the translation. Green lush pastures just aren't found in the Holy Land like they are in other places in the world. The Shepherd had to ferret out random tuffs of grass amid the rocks. life was hard, water was often difficult to find and the Shepherd had to have a good understanding of the environment just to keep his flock alive.) I am grateful for one who understands the terrain and can guide me to where I need to be. I get thirsty for the cool water and have no desire to stumble around helplessly through the briers and rocks.
3 he refreshes my soul....(Life will leave you dry, sad, and discouraged but we find comfort in his capable hands. His cool water,green grass, warm touch on my weary spirit are all I need.) He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake...His name is very great..We are told in Scripture that devils are powerless before our Shepherd (Luke 10:17), (Mark 16:17-18). We find Healing in Jesus name.(Acts 3:6, 3:16, 4:10). Salvation by his name (Acts 4:12, Rom. 10:13) and Justification (1 Cor. 6:11). Everything is accomplished in His name (Col.3:17)..what we do we do in his name and by His power for His glory.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of death ,I will fear no evil, for you are with me;...... (when at last I come to that valley I know he will take me up in his arms and carry me across. I have already been but a small journey from the edge and knew no small comfort from my Shepherd as we peered over the precipice). . your rod and your staff, they comfort me.... (He prods me gently with his staff if I start to stray and if I persist whacks me smartly on the head if I go to far.)
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies..... (I have nothing to fear..he is in control..his Holy Spirit is with me..it is enough, no use to over think things..simply trust the Shepherd). You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. (I have much to look forward to I am at peace).
People act like sheep, but you can be part of God's flock if you wish. Though I fear I am no longer Christ's little lamb, the years have made me his fat, crusty old ewe. But He is our dear Shepherd, and I love him..He is the good Shepherd, like he says in John.
I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. John 10:11 (And He did).
Wiktionary says a shepherd is "someone who watches over, looks after, or guides."
A Psalm of David.
1 The LORD is my shepherd, therefore I lack nothing.....(as a person who has been direction-ally challenged all my life I feel a need for a Shepherd, the world is a confusing place at best and it is comforting to be able to function under the guiding hand of one who knows exactly what I need and where I am suppose to go. Someone wiser and stronger than I, He knows where we are going even if I don't.) The Psalm farther states that I am to "lack Nothing' and this is true, just as a human shepherd provides for the needs of his flock my shepherd provides for me. Not always in luxury and over abundance but always enough..and exactly what I need.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,..... (I saw a video the other day that explained that green pastures didn't mean the same thing to king David as it does to us..it seems like something must have gone wrong in the translation. Green lush pastures just aren't found in the Holy Land like they are in other places in the world. The Shepherd had to ferret out random tuffs of grass amid the rocks. life was hard, water was often difficult to find and the Shepherd had to have a good understanding of the environment just to keep his flock alive.) I am grateful for one who understands the terrain and can guide me to where I need to be. I get thirsty for the cool water and have no desire to stumble around helplessly through the briers and rocks.
3 he refreshes my soul....(Life will leave you dry, sad, and discouraged but we find comfort in his capable hands. His cool water,green grass, warm touch on my weary spirit are all I need.) He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake...His name is very great..We are told in Scripture that devils are powerless before our Shepherd (Luke 10:17), (Mark 16:17-18). We find Healing in Jesus name.(Acts 3:6, 3:16, 4:10). Salvation by his name (Acts 4:12, Rom. 10:13) and Justification (1 Cor. 6:11). Everything is accomplished in His name (Col.3:17)..what we do we do in his name and by His power for His glory.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of death ,I will fear no evil, for you are with me;...... (when at last I come to that valley I know he will take me up in his arms and carry me across. I have already been but a small journey from the edge and knew no small comfort from my Shepherd as we peered over the precipice). . your rod and your staff, they comfort me.... (He prods me gently with his staff if I start to stray and if I persist whacks me smartly on the head if I go to far.)
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies..... (I have nothing to fear..he is in control..his Holy Spirit is with me..it is enough, no use to over think things..simply trust the Shepherd). You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. (I have much to look forward to I am at peace).