Psalm
23 is perhaps the most familiar and frequently quoted psalm. It has
become associated with funerals, but I see it as David’s philosophy
on life. In his youth, David had been a shepherd. He knew the
responsibility of keeping his flock safe and well fed. He knew that
sheep tend to wander into bad places and their best hope for life was
to recognize their shepherd’s call. He begins, “The
Lord is my shepherd“,
acknowledging his reliance on God for his daily survival. Because of
his trust in God’s provision, David can add, “I
shall not be in want“.
This great leader of men knew that he was just a dumb sheep compared
to God. Some of us have tried living without a shepherd and have
experienced the feeling of being lost. David explains, “He
makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters,
He restores my soul.”
I find it interesting that many stubbornly refuse to accept God’s
authority in their life, too often settling for so much less. Hosea
4:6 says, “My
people are destroyed from lack of knowledge… you have ignored the
law of your God“.
I believe many ignore God’s leading out of fear that they will
miss out on something. Others don’t trust God’s intentions.
David tells us God’s motivation. “He
guides me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.”
In other words, God desires that we would become examples to those
around us of His more excellent way. What does your life say about
your shepherd?
The
psalm continues with David looking at the next struggle ahead. He
was confident that God would lead him to safety no matter who the
enemy was, or how dire the situation looks to the eye of man. “Even
though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear
no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort
me.”
I believe these tools in the hand of the shepherd are used to
protect, but I believe they are also used to nudge, pull and prod the
sheep to action. Sometimes we turn toward things that look tasty,
but we may not see the temptations. The tap of the staff is more
pleasant than the rod of correction. Over time we learn to hear the
Shepherd’s call as He leads us into abundant life. “You
prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint
my head with oil; my cup overflows.”
Following the Shepherd comes with a promise for today and for
eternity. “Surely
goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will
dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
In the gospel of John, Jesus tells His disciples, “I
am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me… I lay
down my life for the sheep… My sheep listen to My voice; I know
them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they shall
never perish; no one can snatch them out of My hand“.
Is He calling you?
Psalm
24 gives us a brief overview of the universe. “The
earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who
live in it“.
Once again we see a clear distinction between God and His creation.
God is not in all things, but rather, God created all things. “He
founded it… and established it“.
David asked the question of the ages, “Who
may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in his Holy Place?“.
Many religions trust in man’s ability to climb up to God in our
human efforts. Many trust in penance, or self denial, or a set of
good works, or a state of consciousness, or a set of do-nots.
David’s answer has two-parts, “He
who has clean hands and a pure heart“.
The “clean hands” part is where many of us focus, but the “pure
heart” is where we stumble. Like many people, I used to point to
all the sins I was successful in avoiding. The Bible includes many
examples of people asking Jesus what they must do to inherit eternal
life. I believe Jesus gave each person a different answer because He
was able to see what was keeping their heart from being fully open to
receiving salvation. To the religious man He said, “Everyone
who believes in him may have eternal life“.
To the rich man He said, “Sell
everything you have and give it to the poor“.
David says of the pure in heart, “He
will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God his
Savior.”
He adds “those
who seek Him”
should lift up their gates “that
the King of glory may come in“.
What is
preventing you from allowing Christ to purify your heart?