23rd Psalm - a thoughtful view

Sheep trust their shepherd to keep them safe.

This came in an email. Someone sat down and asked the question of each line, "What does this mean?" Thought you might enjoy these conclusions.

Psalm 23
The Lord is my Shepherd = The most important Relationship, one of trust!

I shall not want = Supply!

He makes me to lie down in green pastures = Rest!

He leads me beside the still waters = Refreshment!

He restores my soul = Healing!

He leads me in the paths of righteousness = Guidance!

For His name sake = Purpose!

Yea, though I walk through the valley of
the shadow of death = Courage!

I will fear no evil = Protection!

For You are with me = Dependability!

Your rod and Your staff they comfort me = Discipline and safety!

You even prepare a table before me in the
presence of mine enemies = Peace!

You annoint my head with oil = Consecration!

My cup overflows = Abundance!

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life = Peace and Blessing !

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord = Security!

Forever = Eternity!

The Lord is my Shepherd

A shepherd carries

his found sheep

Sometimes life and relationships seem very complicated. They are not, really. Truth is simple and direct. Love is caring and honest. Attentiveness is timely and thorough.

It’s when we stray from being true to ourselves as God knows us, that things get blurred. Dishonesty, for example, gets complicated because one deception leads to another. Procrastination gets complicated because neglected tasks pile up.

What cuts through all this is the simplicity of goodness. If God is entirely good – and the Bible, especially Jesus' life and words, assures us over and over of the power of good – then His/Her creation is intended to praise and honor Him/Her by expressing that universal goodness.

Someone once said that if life consists in the unfolding of good – and it does - then procrastination is putting off good. Who would want to do that?

So here’s a little email story going around that illustrates the simplicity of truth.

A Sunday School teacher decided to have her young class memorize one of the most comforting passages in the Bible: Psalm 23. She gave the youngsters a month to learn the six verses.

Little Ricky was excited about the task – but he was having trouble learning the whole Psalm. After much practice, he could barely get past the first line.

On the day that the kids were scheduled to recite Psalm 23 in front of the congregation, Ricky was no longer nervous. When it was his turn, he stepped up to the microphone and said with conviction, "The Lord is my Shepherd, and that's all I need to know."