I remember being in fifth grade in a private middle school and having to memorize Psalm 23 for religion class. Like John 3:16, Psalm 23 becomes a well known verse everyday, it is milked and repeated constantly, it is spoken at funerals and typically, I say it when I have to walk up my Pastors' scary steps to the attic.
It's a great chapter in the book of Psalms, but I have to think that we may have taken the life out of the first verse.
"The Lord is my shepherd, I have all I need."
I think that is the most underrated verses in the Bible.
Our circumstances change daily, but the Lord stays our shepherd. Our prayer and praise and worship should not change daily based on circumstance, based on life and what is happening, but they do. Why? Who gave us the bright idea that we should change how we speak to God when He hasn't changed at all? The Lord has been our shepherd since before we praised His name, and He will be long after we stop breathing.
I have all I need. I don't have enough money, I don't have enough bling on my neck or flowers on my table or enough cars in my driveway but I have my shepherd and therefore I have ALL I need.
My Pastor, Anthony, made a joke once about how it's funny we're always referred to as sheep... they're pretty dense animals.
Baaaaahhhh
But they're also very dependent on the one taking care of them. They are born and cradled, fed, and led by the shepherd and eventually trust him obediently, not out of habit but because 1) that's where the protection and nurturing is and 2) they are the exact opposite of self sufficient (can't find an antonym for it, bare with me) and are nothing without the shepherd. Had the shepherd not let and protected them, they would get lost and probably become prey for their enemies, who roam around seeking who they may devour. Yup, it's biblical, check it. 1 Peter 5:8.
And the thing is, this is a daily thing to be thankful about. WE change but HE doesn't.
Yeah but I don't feel like praying... The Lord who strengthens you is still your shepherd.
I got into a car accident and its gonna be so much money to fix it! ... The Lord who provides for you is still your shepherd.
But I've been going through a lot and then ____________ happened to me and _______ broke up with me and _________ walked out of my life and I lost my job and my parents don't get me and I've just not been feeling church lately.... The everlasting Lord your God who breaks chains, heals broken hearts, rains provision and answers prayers is STILL and always will be your shepherd.
Are you responding?
When a shepherd sees a member of the flock drifting he calls them. Our God, our shepherd, calls us by name when we drift away.
Are we ignoring Him? Are we responding to our shepherd? I've said this before, if you feel distant from God, guess who moved.
Psalm 23:1 is the most underrated verse I've ever read, I think. No matter where you are or who you were or what you'll do tomorrow, the shepherd is waiting for you to make your way to Him, and is relieved and overjoyed to learn He has not completely lost you.
BAAAH
baa!
ReplyDelete