The Self Existent , Eternal One is my Shepherd

The Self Existent, Eternal One is my Shepherd

Last week while on a walk I thought to pray through Psalm 23, and what an abundance the Lord gave me while I did this verse by verse!

The Lord is!  Right now, HE is!  And HE is "my" Shepherd!  All the pronouns in this Psalm are in the first person...so very personal!  He is MY Shepherd (which makes me one of His sheep, so I shall not lack (the old word for this is 'want.')

"He makes me lie down in green pastures"...a place where it is comfortable, pleasant and plentiful in nourishment!  "He leads me beside the still waters"...waters where I can easily drink.  To be fed richly and to drink plentifully brings us to the next verse, "He restores my soul."  Oh how our mind, emotion, and will needs restoring!  We have inherited by birth, a soul that has been afflicted with sin, but when nourished with the Lord's Presence and His Words, our soul truly begins to be restored--transformed.

It goes on to say, "He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake." And yes, He can lead us into wonderful places--uplifted places as He heals the way we think, feel, and choose...and in turn, His name is glorified!

Interesting that the next step appears to be testing: "Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil."  Our Shepherd knows we need these tests, but look how gentle and wise; in that they didn't come until we were somewhat restored.  Yes, they will 'feel' terrible perhaps.  IF we can only see that even these are under His control we will not panic! "YOU are (present tense again) with me;  His rod and His staff comfort me."   He NEVER leaves us to walk through these alone, but also gives us a sense of authority (even when being disciplined) with the rod; and supported/defended with His staff.

"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies." He wants us to learn to feast on HIM, even though the enemies of our soul are still present. This is wonderful victory because- even before it looks like it- they are defeated foes!!

"You anoint my head with oil, my cup runs over."  Priests and kings were both anointed by men of God in the Old Testament; and in the New Testament, I Peter 2:9 says that we believers are called a "royal priesthood.". This is our portion to foretaste right now! No wonder it says "my cup runs over." We have an anointing right now...every day!

The Psalms ends by saying, "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever." Notice "all" the days...each and every day of MY life!...and to dwell is to 'sit down/remain/settle' in His house.   I love the sequence though these 6 verses.  No wonder it has been one to commit to memory for so many generations of people! Thank YOU wonderful LORD!

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