Psalm 23:5

The anointing of oil on a person’s head might seem extremely bizarre and undesirable to the average person in today’s day and age.  Let’s be honest, if anyone approached you with a flask of oil fully intending to drench your little noggin it’s more than likely you’d start swinging (for those less likely to throw a punch, perhaps a stern talking to).  After all the attention and T.L.C. people give to their hair I don’t think oil is a desired product for the ol’ noodle, but perhaps it’s a different story for sheep. 

The practice of anointing one’s head with oil was packed with honor and purpose.  As King David continues to describe his relationship with the Lord we begin to hear about certain practices that are completely foreign to the average guy and gal.  Make no mistake though, just because this practice is unfamiliar to us today it was a commonly known and highly important practice for shepherds and sheep in the time of David.  Although there is a massive and meaningful direction we could head towards concerning the anointing of a man’s head with oil, I have chosen instead to pursue the significance of why a sheep would be anointed with oil, and how that might be applicable to us today. 

Which finally brings about the question, “What is the significance of anointing a sheep’s head with oil?” and more importantly, “How does any of this apply to me today?”

I suggest a couple connections that are significant.

Being that sheep are often the victims of parasites, viruses, and infection a shepherd will sometimes apply oil to the head of the sheep as a preventative measure to form a layer of protection on the vulnerable areas of the sheep’s eyes, nose, ears, and mouth. 

In the Bible, oil is a representation of the Holy Spirit.  And like sheep, we too are vulnerable to infections that fester, not outwardly but inwardly, not wounds of the flesh but wounds of the heart.  Maybe it was years ago when she died, Dad left, or the finances went south; whatever the case may be, if wounds are left unattended they begin to fester, slowly infecting and consuming the healthy areas of flesh…the same can also be said in regards to the heart and mind.  It might be some bitterness eating away at you, or the parasite of pride sucking the life out of you; maybe it’s the sickness of sin that’s left you in a bed of shame;  Whatever the case, our Good Shepherd has poured out over us the promised Holy Spirit to alleviate any ailments that might interfere with our ability to worship, witness, and work unto the Lord.  The anointing will essentially be keeping our eyes from losing sight of the Lord, hearts from growing weak in the Lord, ears from becoming deaf to the Lord, and mouths from complaining against the Lord.

Another typical reason for oil being applied to the head of Sheep is due to the instinctual desire to establish dominance among the flock.  From butting heads to poking and cutting each other with their horns, sheep often hurt their own pals for the sake of establishing a superior esteem.  The oil in these situations serves as a lubricant easing the blows and comforting the prods and cuts that sheep might inflict on each other.  Again, the anointing oil serving as a picture of the Holy Spirit being poured out is such a blessing when being applied to those moments when we butt heads with those around us. 

“He rubs me the wrong way”

“She pushes me to my limit”

 Naturally all of us suffer from the heredity of sin.  Issues of pride are present in each of us, so it’s only to be expected that we will be frustrated and irritate each other.  The solution isn’t cursing our enemy or counting to ten…the answer is found in the inner work done by the Holy Spirit.  All we have to do is ask God for this outpouring of His Spirit.

What happens when we ask?    

God promises to give generously to our need.  (Matthew 7:11)

When it seems that the people around us are irritating us, pushing us around, or even sucking the life out of us, all we have to do is simply ask for the Lord to freshly pour out anew the Holy Spirit in our lives.  It will give you the increased grace you need for those people that tend to rub you the wrong way, and the peace you need to continue living a life of unhindered joy.

Psalm 23:5

Sometimes sheep face an enemy far more intelligent, threatening, and successful than the usual wolf, bear, or lion.  This predator doesn’t scatter and strike as the others do, he sneaks and steals.  He waits until the cover of night, undetected the thief will come to take for himself what is not rightfully his.

 ”Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.  ^But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.^ To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.  And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.  ^Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”

John 10:1-5

It wasn’t unusual that the shepherd would find one of his sheep missing and after searching near and far he would find his sheep in another pasture among another flock. 

What could the shepherd do in this situation?

How could he prove that his sheep were stolen?

How does he regain his property?

In Psalm 23:5 the word “prepare” in the Hebrew is normally translated “to set in order” as a waiter setting the table for the dinner guests, I find it interesting that this same word can also mean “to set forth” as a legal case. 

The little shepherd boy who became a king tells us of another King who would shepherd into freedom those who had been stolen by the enemy and imprisoned due to sin.  After all the evidence was prepared Jesus set forth His case on the table of communion, testifying of the body that would be broken and the blood that would be shed as a remission for our sin.  Based upon undeniable evidence God the father, the Righteous Judge declared us clear of all charges. 

We’re forgiven, and upon faith in Jesus we are Holy and can enjoy intimacy with Almighty God.  Just as the shepherd called to his sheep in John 10, Jesus calls to us through the open door of salvation and it’s our responsibility as the sheep to respond to His voice, to come to Him, to believe and walk out of the prison of sin and into the freedom of salvation. 

^”Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, while it is said:

“Today, if you will hear His voice,

Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”“

 Hebrews 3:12-15

Psalm 23:4c

When spying out the gear of a shepherd one would find a couple things that are essential to the task.  The rod and staff are often the stereotyped “tools of the trade” in the area of shepherding.  The Hebrew word for rod has many different facets.

For a king the rod is a scepter of authority

For a tree the rod is an offshoot of Life

For the tradesman the rod is a standard of measurement

All of these are perfectly fitting of Our Lord because all of these give so much insight to the character traits of our Lord, King, Creator, and Tree of Life. 

In this particular passage however, the word rod describes a club-like instrument often used by the shepherd to defend his flock.  When any danger threatened the beloved life of his flock the shepherd is diligent to defend, with rod in hand he will crush the bones of the enemy that preys on his possession.  We are the possession of the Good Shepherd, as His beloved flock the Lord is so diligent to defend us from the enemies that seek to prey on the peace, joy, love, and intimacy of our relationship with the Lord himself and those around us.  With the rod of His truth the Lord comes down and crushes the lies that this world, Satan and his demons, and the flesh try to deceive us with. 

 Some might ask “Well if that’s true; why is it that my circumstances have chewed me up and spit me out?”

The one problem that often leaves us wide open to attack is the sheep-like tendency we all have to stray from the truth of God’s word.  Like it says in Isaiah 53 “we all like sheep have gone astray” and so it is for us in life, we get distracted by that relationship that wasn’t so fruitful, we get derailed by that desire that was sinful, and we like sheep find ourselves straying off the path of righteousness right into dangerous territory. 

“What now?” You might ask

“I’ve walked off the path so many times and I’ve wandered so far that there’s no hope for me!”

Not True!

You see, the shepherd also carries a staff for situations such as these.  When sheep would get lost, straying a bit too far after this or that, the shepherd’s priority is to search out and rescue that which is lost.  He tracks the lost sheep down and skillfully cradles them with the staff, and lifts them from their trouble, carrying them back to safety. 

Perhaps that’s where you are today.

You’ve strayed off the path, lost your direction, and don’t think that returning is an option.

If so, then know this…the staff of His Holy Spirit will support you in your weakness and direct you safely back into His loving arms.

The rod of defense and the staff of direction are present in the hands of the Good Shepherd, and because His heart is one that loves us so radically and so deeply we have nothing to fear.  This truth was David’s comfort in his moments of delight and despair and so it will be for you as well. 

All you have to do is call out to the Shepherd.

Don’t worry.

He’s very familiar with your voice. (John 10)

Psalm 23:4c

While vacationing in Williamsburg, Virginia I visited a “Ripley’s believe it or not!” gallery, the home of bizarre stories, international oddities, and strange discoveries.  Along the journey of browsing I saw a life size version of the tallest man in the world, standing at a towering eight feet and eleven inches I found myself just about eye level with his belt.  While in the gallery I couldn’t help but think of another giant who stood just about the same height as the display in front of me. 

His spear was bigger than most flagpoles, his coat of armor weighed about 200 pounds, and his voice scared an army of well weathered warriors.  Goliath was no joke; you didn’t catch any Israelites giggling when the giant stood morning after morning to mock the God of Israel.  A massive detachment of troops feared one man; he was head, shoulders, and even belly above everyone else.  To be perfectly fair, I couldn’t blame them, I was intimidated by a nine foot statue; they were dealing with the real deal, a man of war who toted a coat of armor that weighs more than I do. 

With all of that said, it seems a bit odd that the only guy that stepped on the scene with enough boldness to face a giant was not much bigger than a high school point guard.  What is even more curious is where this youthful shepherd boy got his courage. 

His brothers thought it was youthful pride.

His King thought it was youthful ignorance.

His heart knew it as child-like faith.

It wasn’t because of an enlarged ego, or some positive thinking technique, it was from a faith that the Lord Himself was with him to deliver as times before (1 Samuel 17:37).  I personally believe the words of Psalm 23 were written while David was in the field tending sheep, the very same field that he mentions while testifying to King Saul.  You see, When God showed Himself faithful in the life of David, he wrote it down, when he penned these words he allowed faith to permanently be written on his soul.  I encourage you to do the same.

Write it down!

When God delivers you out of trouble, stop… and write a note of remembrance. 

Here’s why:

When days turn to weeks and weeks turn to years we as human beings tend to forget stuff, and when the next trial arises you will be tempted to doubt.  In times like these I’ve learned that a personal record of God’s faithfulness is a huge help to boosting your faith, lifting your head, and bringing praise from your lips.  When the situation tells you, “You don’t stand a chance; you’re so small compared to that giant!”  You can remind yourself that, “If God did it before, then He can do it again!”

Often we make the mistake of having the “we’ll cross that bridge when we get there” mentality.  We turn the dial to cruise control and begin to think that we’ll sail over our rough waters simply because “we’ve gotten this far!”  Unfortunately it doesn’t work that way, we must apply the truth of God’s word as presently active and absolute to overcome the giants that are camping in our territory.  The truth is the same for us as it was for David; boldness, courage, victory and valor, are all birthed in a faith that trusts that the Lord is personally involved with us.  I believe the more this faith is applied in our lives the more we will see obstacles fall, foggy paths become clear, and fear begin to fade.

As we are all very aware I’ve been missing in action for a while now…yikes almost a month!  Honestly, there are some really good reason that I could throw out there that might be considered legitamite excuses, however i’ll save you the comprehensive energy and just say, “It’s been a while, and I’m back.”  Bam, there it is.  So while I’ve been traveling the Lord ministered quite a few things to me that i’m just about ready to share….but not yet.  You see, i’m still fine tuning and praying through what is personal and stays in my journal and what the Lord has for me to post on this platform.  So while you’re holding your baited breath, and the suspense thickens i’ll leave you with a little poem I ran into recently that really blessed me. 

Oh, every year has its winter,

And every year has its rain-

But a day is always coming

When the birds go north again.

When new leaves sprout in the forest,

And grass springs green on the plain,

And tulips boast their blossoms-

And the birds go north again.

Oh, every heart has its sorrow,

And every heart has its pain-

But a day is always coming

When the birds go north again.

It’s the sweetest thing to remember,

If your courage starts to wane,

When the cold, dark days are over-

That the birds go north again.

Streams in the Desert, Excerpt from October 9th

Time has proved to me that seasons are exactly that…seasons.  They all have a beginning and an end.  If you are going through a season that is perhaps your winter; cold, lonely, and bare… take heart, there is an end.  Put your hope in the truth of Jesus Christ, this time will soon be over, and the sprouts of spring will begin to show.  You will feel the warmth of the sunshine again, and the Son in all the fullness of His glory will shine again when He returns.  Take heart, keep your courage, hang in there weary soul…the season will soon be over, and hope will reveal the truth of tomorrow; that the present is but a moment of wait, as the vehicle of faith carries us to our destination of eternity.

“I will fear no evil…”

Psalm 23:4

When listening to these words I often get the idea that David was some type of superman.  Being able to eat steel and spit nails might be the kind of tough criteria that enables some to cry out, “I Will Fear No Evil!”… But what criteria does it take to overcome the things that even valiant men are vulnerable to?  Perhaps it isn’t the “boogie man” that frightens you, but what about when the doctor says, “I’m afraid I have some bad news…” or when that foreclosure letter arrives in the mail?  I find myself wondering if David might have had it easier back in the day than those of us who live here in the future.  Just as I begin to start rationalizing my fears however, I find the statement of this shepherd turned king much more profound and applicable to our time than its length and eloquence lets on. 

The Hebrew word “yare’” or “fear” used in this passage gives a bit more insight as to the reality of fear and the confidence that our author proclaims.  Yare’ speaks of an inspired reverence, awe, or respect to the point of terror.  The sensation that is experienced when faced with conflict is founded upon the perspectives we hold and the faith which we apply therein.  So if I believe that a certain situation is impossible, and my faith is based on my abilities, the result will be a sensation of despairing inadequacy or fear.  On the other side of the coin, if I happen to believe that the situation I have in front of me is somehow manageable, and my faith is invested upon the abilities of one who was up to the task, my emotions in turn are equally hopeful and bright.  What fear often does is distort our sense of reality; it enlarges our understanding of vulnerability and leaves us emotionally in fetal position, cowering from the victory that is available.  When penning this part of the chapter, I don’t think David was placing his faith in himself as a shepherd, but in the Lord, Who is immeasurably capable no matter the difficulty.  In short, what David was trying to say was, “I’ve seen God, I’ve experienced already a reverence, awe, respect, and terror that has driven me beyond what anything else has ever caused in my heart…fact is, everything that seemed pretty big and bad pales in comparison to the “fear” of God, or the respect and awe that God’s presence has demanded of me.”

It reminds me of a story about three young Jews.  In a time when the nation of Israel was in captivity and the laws of Babylon seemed frightfully sovereign, three teenage boys kept their perspective, stood firm in the truth, and in result their gritty faith shook a nation aware to the sovereignty of God. 

The king of Babylon had raised a massive statue in his own likeness, and then with a compelling hostility persuaded everyone to bow down and revere the image.  In a way, that’s what fear does; it drives us forcefully to pay an enlarged amount of attention and reverence to something.  When the flutes and trumpets sounded, it was three young guys who were committed to appropriately directing their attention to the only One Who deserved such awe, and with a short trial they were sent to their deaths…or so it seemed.  In the face of impending danger, they spoke the words that echo in my mind when I consider the equally faith filled words from King David.  

“I’ll give you one more chance to bow down!” yelled Nebuchadnezzar furiously

“We do not need to defend ourselves before you.” Replied the boys

“If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us.  He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty.  But even if He doesn’t, Your Majesty can be sure that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.” 

In other words, “I will fear no evil”

And into the fire they went…and the result was wonderful.  Not a scent of smoke on them, not a hair singed, not a thread bared; they paid the proper respect to the Lord and God honored them with confidence, security, blessing, and peace.

The moment we lose sight of the reality of Who God is and What He is capable of, is the same moment fear comes in and peace is hindered.  By willfully conceding to an authority of power that is not over us, we in a way are saying to the Lord that we are uncertain of His authority.   David chose otherwise…he tells us, “I will not”.  You see, fear is a choice not a mandate.  Evil will never be able to harm us when our faith is in Jesus Christ.  Threats will come, fiery trials may surround, but as the three young men said, “the God whom we serve is able to save us.”  God is mightier than that which we fear. 

As we begin to trust and live out this faith in Jesus, those who are bowing down will start to raise their eyes and see the truth.  They will be as Nebuchadnezzar, seeing one who looks like “the Son of God”.

They’ll see Jesus

So Fear not

Psalm 23:4

Take a good look at what David is saying here. 

He didn’t say, “…though I walk to the valley…”

No, he clearly states, “Yea, though I walk through the valley…” 

Sometimes in the midst of the darker moments in life we tend to lose our bearings on where our destination is.  When things start to get tough there is the temptation to wonder if God has abandoned us in the valley moments of life.  Nothing could be farther from the truth!  In fact, the valley moments are the special places where we see the Lord working so clearly and faithfully through our soul and into our spirit.

As he grew up I’m sure he never imagined all the time he would spend in the valley, much less the result it would bring in his life.  Raised in a family where dad had four wives, it would seem that dysfunctional would be an understatement for our guy.  From early in his childhood he was traveling, not because he was touring the world but because his dad had the family fleeing his mother’s brother.  Finally that uncle caught up to them and through deception they separated ways, things went from bad to worse when his mother’s health starts failing.  On top of an already hard time comes more bad news when he learns that his uncle on his father’s side is now marching towards them after many years of bad blood.  Not knowing what that uncle’s intentions where dad decides to send the family ahead to intercept the uncle hoping that he would have mercy on women and children.  Eventually that relationship is cleared up and instead of going to meet up with his brother; dad lies again and relocates the family farther away where mom die’s en route during childbirth, when they finally settle down his sister gets raped by one of the locals of the town, enraged his two older brother’s head out on a vengeful killing spree annihilating all the men of the village.  Eventually all of his older brothers get jealous of him, throwing him in an old cistern while they decide if they should kill him or sell him into slavery.  Sold into slavery he gets carried away to a foreign country, works hard for many years winning favor in his masters house only to be falsely accused and thrown into jail for a crime that he didn’t commit.  Finally, when he thought that he would rot in jail till his pathetic life was over.  Then it happened, the Lord lead him “through” the valley and made him the second greatest man in a nation and saving the lives of an entire empire, including the brothers that treated him so horribly.  

Most of us don’t have it this bad.  However, we can all relate to dark times in life.  We’re told in the Psalms that God lead Joseph through these valleys because in these times of testing is where his soul was made to be as iron.  Sometimes we see our own lives and are convinced that the trials and testing will only devour us, but what the Lord worked in the life of Joe is also being worked into our character through our hard and hopeless times. 

As sheep of the shepherd it’s important to understand that we aren’t meant to be comfortable sheep, instead He desires to have healthy and mature sheep.  Maturity is only possible through the strain and pain of running into the hard and challenging moments of life.  Through the instruction and gracious love of our relationship with Jesus we find our journey through the valley is a necessary route leading and preparing us for the glorious heights of intimate victory that await us .

Psalm 23:3

Although sheep have great eyesight, being able to see behind them without moving their heads, they have really bad depth perception.  A dip in the ground or a shadow cast by a cloud will have them second guessing every step.  That’s why sheep need to be lead by the shepherd.  Left to themselves, sheep will follow the first flock member that moves, this only becomes a bad case of “follow the leader” considering that the leader has no idea where they’re going or what they’re doing. 

My Uncle Jim, a retired New York City Firefighter, told me one of his “firehouse jokes” that stands on the same line… it goes like this:

“My friend and I were driving in his car when we came to a red light, instead of stopping he just zipped right through it! 

I asked, “Why didn’t you stop at the red light?!”

To which he replied carefree, “My brother does it all the time.”

Again and again my friend continued to run the reds, until finally we approached a green light and he slammed on the breaks.

“Why are you stopping at a green?!” I yelled

He turned and yelled back, “My brother might be coming the other way!”

So often we follow the wrong directions simply because someone else heads in that direction.  What makes things worse is that we aren’t just following each other in innocence, but we are sinful beings who naturally have a desire to head in a less than Holy direction.  The result is a loss of liberty. 

I’ve had friends tell me they didn’t want to follow Jesus because it would mean they could no longer be free to enjoy their own pleasures.  I, in return, told them that the freedom they speak of is no freedom at all; seeking to indulge your own pleasures will only lead to bondage in sin.  The bible teaches, “there’s a way that seems right to a man, but it only leads to death.”  When a man seeks to map out his own course apart from the Wonderful Counselor he will eventually end up a captive to his own sinful nature.  The mindset that thinks, “My right to indulge in carnal desire liberates me” is like an inmate saying, “the freedom to walk around my cell is enjoyable and desirable.” When we follow any direction other than the Word of God we follow a hazardous way that leads to an eventual crash.  Obedience to Jesus Christ brings true liberty.

So if we follow the Shepherd…where will He lead us?

“He leads us in paths of righteousness”

Our Good Shepherd desires to lead us into Holiness, a perfect relationship with Him (Matthew 5:48).  None of us have the ability to attain holiness or walk a perfect path, that’s why it’s silly to follow anyone but Jesus.  These facts often pose a problem for those who don’t follow Jesus, being that they are incapable of perfection on their own but also unwilling to recieve perfection from another.  In thier eyes it may seem like God has unfair expectations of them, however, just the opposite is true.  He desires that we, as inperfect beings, would be perfect and holy, but He doesn’t expect us to get there on our own.  Even the disciples recognized this dilemma and asked the Lord, “who then can be saved?”  Replying to thier question Jesus stated, ”with men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”  (Matthew 19:25, 26) 

God will never place any demand or expectation upon us which He will not supply the means and the grace to accomplish.  He’ll lead you into His righteousness; all you have to do is follow.

Psalm 23:3

A common misconception held in regards to the Human race is that we, like all the other species of the animal kingdom, are two part beings (i.e. body, and soul).  The truth is, however, that we are not part of the animal kingdom; and we as mankind were created specially in God’s image, making us three part beings (i.e. Body, Soul, and Spirit).

“Isn’t the soul and the spirit the same thing?” You might ask

No

The Bible clearly states in the Hebrew that the soul is not the same as the spirit.  The spirit is that within us that will move on into eternity; it’s the character image of God that is imparted unto us and shaped into His likeness while here on earth.  The soul, on the other hand, is the combination of the thoughts we think and the emotions we feel, knit into our makeup by God as tools He uses to shape our spirits to be as His own.  “Nephesh”-the Hebrew word for “soul” speaks of the mind and heart, the source of thinking and feeling.  A vital area within a person’s being, but not the inner being itself.

So what exactly is David trying to say as he pens the words, “He restores my soul…”?

He’s telling us that the Shepherd cares about what we as His sheep think, and He’s intimately concerned with how His sheep feel.  He desires to “restore”-or literally translated, “to turn around, or bring back” the peace of mind that He originally designed for us to enjoy while in relationship with Him.  He wants to turn around the misdirected thoughts and emotions that are negatively affecting our spirit, leading us out of the pain of the present problem, and into the assurance of His promised paradise.  The dilemma is that sometimes, like sheep, we get spooked easily.  Sheep have this strange tendency to panic when fearful (sound familiar?)Due to the panic they become unsettled and take off away from the Shepherd, leading them into unnecessary hurt, pain, and injury.   

Our thoughts and emotions can be a tricky area.  As Jeremiah the prophet said, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9)  Directly following those words the Lord replies, “I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind”.  You see, Our Shepherd sees the inner workings of our heart and mind.  Not only is He capable to diagnose our heart conditions, He is also perfectly able to restore and remedy those things which often lead to our breaking down and giving up.  There isn’t one person on this green earth that hasn’t experienced a time where they got depressed, disappointed, and disillusioned to some degree.  It happens so easily, and make no mistake, its not a “walk in the park” to snap out of it.  This is why David reminds us that the answer isn’t a self help book, positive thinking methods, or even Yoga positions…the answer is not in our ability, the answer is in the Lord.  For we too are like sheep, we get psyched out by the emotions which are triggered by our thoughts.  In effect we derail, falling out of step with the Shepherd, endangering our own lives, and sometimes the lives of those who are following us.

Who is it that reminds, returns, and refocuses our soul to where it needs to be? 

The good Shepherd…Jesus. 

How does He do it?

Psalm 51, another psalm where David speaks of the Shepherd Illustration helps us understand this secret. 

“Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your loving kindness, according to the multitude of Your tender mercies…Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom…Make me hear Joy and gladness, that the bones You have broken may rejoice.”

Psalm 51:1, 6, 8

When sheep get scared they scatter, inevitably leading to a harmful predicament.  Straying sheep often means injured sheep…maybe even dead sheep.  That’s not what the good Shepherd wants when it comes to the sheep He loves. 

So what does a loving, kind, merciful, tender Shepherd do to keep scared sheep from scattering? 

He breaks their leg. 

Calm down…I know your probably thinking, “How is breaking the leg of the one you love “kind, merciful, and tender”?

Before you begin questioning the love of the Shepherd, take a closer look at the result of His actions.   In ancient times, when a certain lamb developed the bad habit of consistently straying away from the Shepherd and endangering its life, the Shepherd would take the baby sheep that strayed and break one of its legs.  He then would masterfully set the broken leg, lifting the lamb onto His able shoulders, carrying it until the leg had healed.  During that time of close intimacy with the Shepherd that lamb would witness up close and personal the loving strength day by day as it simply rested upon the strong shoulders of the Shepherd to carry it through.  Eventually when the lamb was able to bear its own wieght again it has become only natural to remain, draw near, and abide with the Shepherd. 

Perhaps you might think, “That’s well and good for lambs Dan, but i’m no lamb…i’m not even a spring chicken!  I’ve been in this pasture so long, so set in my ways that I can’t possibly heal from a broken bone…much less have my old, overwieght body hauled around by the Shepherd.  If that’s you take heart.  The Lord is mighty and capable, “a thousand years are as a day, and a day a thousand years to the Lord” It doesn’t matter if you’ve been around for 80 years and you feel like God is breaking you down and carrying you through, your still a babe to the Lord.  Heck, He’s been around before Day 1 was measured out and listed as Day 1.  Your just a babe in His arms, He can carry you, He will carry you, If you just let Him.

The Shepherd desires that His sheep would know completely the truth of his love, kindness, and mercy no matter the situation or circumstance.  So when thunder claps, or the wolf howls, or the wind blows a little harder than what the sheep might feel comfortable with, the presence of the Shepherd speaks assurance and security to the easily rattled sheep, and so it is for you and me. 

When emotions tempt us to worry and whine, and we begin to feel as though life is bearing it’s fangs at us, we need not fear.  Instead, in those times we must remember how the good Shepherd has carried us with His strength. 

Simply place your faith in the One that has carried you this far, draw near to His love, and experience the restoring of your soul.

Just a quick update to those following along, first i’d like to apologize for my inconsistency with the daily devos, while being in England for the past 2.5 months it’s been loaded with demanding ministry that at times has left me in heavy need of making sure my personal time with the Lord was healthy which in turn had me having to take some days to get renewed before i could pour into some new writing.  Thanks so much for understanding and for those who have written and commented on some of the devo’s i’m grateful for your encouragement and support, the Lord bless you guys. 

At the moment i’m about to head to bed, tomorrow i have a long day of traveling as i will be returning stateside.  Much more on tap in the days to come for the Psalm 23 study, and for those of you who are juiced to get back into Genesis, be patient, it’ll be back….trust me. 

Well, that’s all for now.  If it crosses your mind have us in prayer as we start the long journey back to the states, expect some new posts as the week closes. 

Blessings in Jesus

-Dan