The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. Have you ever tasted or experienced something so good that once you had it, there was nothing else in the world that could compare? Looking forward to talking about how Jesus is better in today's episode on Psalm 23.
Family Discussion Questions:
Additional Resources:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0830829377/ref=cm_sw_r_oth_api_glc_fabc_RTn9FbZDSEGAMThe
Daily Prayer App for your phone- http://www.rethinkme.com/dailyprayer/
HEAR Journaling: https://replicate.org/what-is-a-hear-journal/
All Scripture is read out of the ESV Translation of the Bible.
NOTES:
Remember this podcast is not designed to replace your personal devotion time with God. There are hundreds of resources out there on how to walk daily with Jesus. Our recommendation is to simply start with one of the Gospels of Jesus in the New Testament and read few verses each day. Use the Replicate Ministries HEAR Journaling Method to respond: Highlight what stands out to you, explain what it means, apply it to your life, and respond in obedience.
Episode 2: Psalm 23
The Lord Is My Shepherd
A Psalm of David.
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 will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint 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
forever.
If you grew up in church this may very well be one of the most recognizable passages of scripture, and for good reason— it's such an encouraging corrective passage in God’s word. In fact, last week when we talked about delighting in God’s word, this passage is one of the best examples of why we should delight in God.
I want to focus on what David is telling us in the very first line which is setting up the rest of the passage, “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.”
Can you think of anything that after having it, you wouldn’t want anything else in the world? Like if there was something that tasted so good that there would be no other food that would be better? Or, if you are married, thinking back to that moment in time when you realized that there is literally no other human being that would rather spend the rest of your life with?
David is saying that having Jesus as our shepherd renders every other leader, voice, or competition obsolete. What's more is that this shepherd is kind and loving, leading us beside still waters, restoring our souls, and showing us how to live. When was the last time your boss said, “Hey, sit still for a moment, you look tired- chill for a second…”? It really makes me think about what God really thinks about our lives!
How busy are we? Do you and your family have any time for rest, particularly rest with God? Rest is actually so important that God that He commands us in scripture to rest! This is the opposite of what the world tells us. I can often feel guilty over resting when really I should feel guilty for not resting in God more often!
Maybe your single and fill every waking moment with work, community, workouts, dinners... OR if you have kids it's ballet, soccer, football, and band practice. If it's the holidays you’re running from one family to the next visiting relatives, OR what's worse if you’re on vacation you plan so much that by the time you get home you just feel like you need a vacation from your vacation!
Why do we do that? Why do we constantly feel like we're being eaten alive by all the things we “have to do?” I think it's because we have a different Shepherd or no shepherd at all. Or you’re like me and you spend a lot of time working to please God and allow those activities to keep you from time with Him.
Listen again,” The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 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. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Man, this guy loves his master. I want what he has! I want to walk through the valley and not be scared, I want my enemies before me and to not worry, I want to feel my cup overflow.
This is psalm is not purely about resting in and of itself. It is about God coming and having a loyal and fierce relationship with us. Guiding us to rest when necessary, correcting us when we stray, walking with us in difficulties, and communing with us at the dinner table like a family.
My question to you is what are you doing this week to allow God to shepherd you and your family? Have you experienced Jesus and his kindness to you? Read through this psalm again and see how God would guide you to a deeper and fuller understanding of his love and grace for you.