The 23rd Psalm — Part 2

A text — Psalm 23 A Psalm of David.

[1] The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want;
[2] he makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters;
[3] he restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
[4] Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I 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 my enemies; thou anointest my head with oil, my cup overflows.
[6] Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

A reflection:

When people face challenges in their personal lives, sometimes they think of the 23^rd Psalm as a comfort and encouragement. But we can also think of the 23^rd Psalm as a church congregation reflecting on our relationship with the Lord who is a Shepherd, as if we were a herd of believers.

When we acknowledge the Lord as our shepherd, then we shall not want. That shepherd provides everything our church will need for a full life, everything we will need to follow Jesus. All the resources for a thriving future are at our fingertips, if we follow the Lord’s leading us as a shepherd.

There will be enough to eat and drink. Our souls will be restored despite feeling either a shortage of this or that or even feeling under attack by life in general. And the Lord will lead us in paths of righteousness (right relationship with God – paths where it will be easy for God to keep us moving yet safe, protected yet adventuresome).

As long as the Lord is our shepherd. As long as we are following the Lord’s lead.

So how can we know what is the Lord’s lead? It would be wonderful to know we are forever walking in right paths, following God’s lead, and being provided for by a loving shepherd. How do we as a local church discern where Jesus our shepherd is leading us? How might we practice paying attention to the shepherd’s voice? Actual sheep pay attention to their master every single day. To get good at it, we should do it every day, too. Then, whether we follow without faltering or take a wrong turn and need to be brought back, we will be cared for by the shepherd and given everything we need to thrive as the shepherd’s flock. Local congregations can practice spiritual discernment regularly. Some of them do it so often it becomes second nature to them. They feel God’s leading in all circumstances. They have some unknowns, to be sure, but they know whose voice they are following.

Whether you are an individual person who needs guidance and comfort or you are part of a local church congregation, find a way today to listen for God’s shepherding voice. When we hear it and follow it, we can claim, like David, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our life, and we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

A prayer:

Dear Lord, Thank you for loving us. Thank you for being our church’s shepherd, even when we don’t realize you are trying to lead us in right paths. Help us to listen for your voice and discern where you want us to step out, so that our life as a community of faith will be abundant as well as right with you. Amen.