Pop's Stop

 

Who is your Shepard?

 

          Who is your Shepard?  It’s important to note who you follow and believe in.  In these blogs I hope that we learn from each other.  I have been off quite a few months as we all have been dealing with COVID-19.  It has been around 100 years since the last worldwide epidemic.  Now we are dealing with a new one.  Prayer is important.  The strength of prayer is amazing.  Today, I’m going to break down a chapter in the Bible that most people know or have heard of; Psalms 23.

 

Psalms 23

A Psalm of David.

1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

 

          A short chapter with just six verses.  Powerful and meaningful.

 

          “The LORD is my shepherd;” it begins.  God is my Leader and Guide is the meaning of this to me.  To me is important as where God leads you to thinking a different way is just as important.  For God is our Creator. “I shall not want.”  I don’t need anything, everything to make me happy and healthy I have already. Amazing!  We don’t realize but God provides everything we need, we just need to keep our eyes open to see it.

          The second verse is just as powerful.  “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:” God lets me rest in places soft and easy to our bodies, giving us all the food, we need. “He leadeth me beside the still waters.” He shows us where the water is pollution free and clear, safe to drink.  Does this allude to the well that never shall run dry that Christ speaks to us in the new testament?  Maybe.

          Each verse gets more and more meaningful as we continue with the word.  The third verse begins, “He restoreth my soul:” Powerful!!  Think about it.  He takes your worries, anger, hatred from you, builds you up to let you know that HE HAS GOT THIS!  Next is “he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.”  He shows us the way, the straight and narrow.  Showing us right and wrong so we can go the correct way.  And he’s doing all this for his own name’s sake!  In his name he’s guiding us.

 

          I got chills just writing this.  The next verse begins, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,” Meaning even if I’m walking in great danger that could be life threatening.  “I will fear no evil:” I won’t be scared. “for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.’ For God is here beside us!  His guidance helps me feel safe.  Like a parent holding their children’s hand crossing a street.

 

          These verses are strong.  “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:” People who wish me harm may be close, but God will feed me despite them.  “thou anointest my head with oil;” The Prophet Samuel anointed David King over Israel.  He blesses me/us here by anointing us as his servants or Priests to pass on his word. “my cup runneth over.”  He’s quenching our thirst, the fire of curiosity of wanting to know him and be with him.

 

          “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:” If God wills it, I hope this happens.  May I be followed by all that is good and righteous.  “and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”  God will make my home with him for infinity.

 

          What do these verses mean for you and to you.  They are powerful words promising protection and guidance if we but follow the Lord God.  Father in heaven, may our faith grow stronger each day and please bless us in every way. Amen.