We are reading and studying the well known and most famous Psalm 23 which in Scotland is read and sung on various occasions.
In these lines lie profound and deep truths which leaders need to share with those they lead.
We move on to verse 3 where we read that God the Lord restores my soul.
Jehovah Rophe is the Hebrew phrase for 'the Lord Who HEALS' - and there is much pain around - physical, financial and emotional.
This revelation came when they children of Israel - the Hebrew people - were in the wilderness - we read the details in Exodus Chapter 15.
They came to water that was bitter and undrinkable.
In their thirst they were confronted with bitter undrinkable water, and God showed Moses a piece of wood, and when Moses threw the wood into the water, the water became sweet and drinkable.
How many are sitting beside very bitter pools, and only God can sweeten their situation.
The Lord Who HEALS has challenging conditions.
We read of more of these conditions in Deuteronomy Chapter 7 and verses 11 following.
He guides me in the paths of righteousness.
The Hebrew phrase is Jehovah Tsidkenu - the Lord our Righteousness.
It is impossible for HIM to lead you in any other way.
It is impossible for Almighty God to lead you along any other path.
Verse 4 - Even thought I walk through the valley - He is the Lord Who is always there and always present - the Hebrew phrase being Jehovah Shammah - the Lord Who is always there.
I am with you always even to the end of the age, said the risen and resurrected Jesus.
These were among His final words to his chosen men.
I recall that prisoner in Kibos Prison, Kisumu, Kenya, standing in front of 200 fellow prisoners and guards with guns and us visitors.
He was the third man on 'death row' to rise and give testimony.
"I was a sinner.
I could not talk like this before 200 men - not before I was arrested and came to Jesus Christ.
I pray.
I know that the Bible says in Romans Chapter 10 verse 9 that if you confess with you mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved! And I read in Psalm 23, that when I will pass through the valley one day, GOD will be with me.
Some of my former friends would not like to see me standing here testifying to Jesus Christ.
He has washed me and has forgiven me.
" Verse 5 - You prepare a table before me - the Hebrew phrase which comes to mind is Jehovah Nissi - the Lord is our Banner - revealed when Moses was directing the battle with the support of Aaron and Hur.
Do read the details in Exodus Chapter 17.
Reading the actual text for yourself can bring its own unique reward.
We rally round the Lord our King.
We rally round the table to be fed and nourished and strengthened, with bread and wine.
You anoint my head with oil - that anointing oil which separates you and your life and your ministry for the use and service of the Living God.
This reminds us of the Hebrew phrase, Jehovah Qadesh.
I am the Lord Who makes you holy - the Lord Who sanctifies.
Ezekiel must have known this Psalm well.
Turn to Ezekiel Chapter 34 and read from verse 11.
Look at the verbs.
Here we learn of God's active pastoral care and concern and compassion.
Jesus Christ tends and gathers and carries and leads.
Jesus rescues us from dangers and darkness's and brings us into safe pastures where we can graze and recover and be restored, as HE readies us for future service.
But he is not only OUR Shepherd, important though that is.
David goes further.
He is MY SHEPHERD.
The 23rd Psalm is so simple and yet so profound.
- There is a maturity in these easy to read words.
There are times and seasons in life when we pause and reflect and even look back over the past weeks and months.
There is nothing wrong in that.
David did and he was able to see the guiding hand of God in all his experiences, and from his years of shepherding he sees a shepherding hand, and David knew the significance of that.
David knew what it was like to be with his sheep day and night in the Judean wilderness - the need to lead them to nourishing pastures - and to guard them from marauding animals which would have stolen his sheep and harmed and killed them.
That would involve keeping a close watch, and the sheep would be unaware of what the shepherd was doing! They would not be aware that he was on duty.
He was not merely admiring the view! Jesus Christ teaches us in John Chapter 10, that the thief comes only to kill, steal, and destroy.
I have used that particularly when it comes to alcohol and drugs, but there are other thieves lurking around - one of them at this time of year is DEBT! Jesus comes offering life - real life - abundant life - and he is always so very generous.
Sandy Shaw
In these lines lie profound and deep truths which leaders need to share with those they lead.
We move on to verse 3 where we read that God the Lord restores my soul.
Jehovah Rophe is the Hebrew phrase for 'the Lord Who HEALS' - and there is much pain around - physical, financial and emotional.
This revelation came when they children of Israel - the Hebrew people - were in the wilderness - we read the details in Exodus Chapter 15.
They came to water that was bitter and undrinkable.
In their thirst they were confronted with bitter undrinkable water, and God showed Moses a piece of wood, and when Moses threw the wood into the water, the water became sweet and drinkable.
How many are sitting beside very bitter pools, and only God can sweeten their situation.
The Lord Who HEALS has challenging conditions.
We read of more of these conditions in Deuteronomy Chapter 7 and verses 11 following.
He guides me in the paths of righteousness.
The Hebrew phrase is Jehovah Tsidkenu - the Lord our Righteousness.
It is impossible for HIM to lead you in any other way.
It is impossible for Almighty God to lead you along any other path.
Verse 4 - Even thought I walk through the valley - He is the Lord Who is always there and always present - the Hebrew phrase being Jehovah Shammah - the Lord Who is always there.
I am with you always even to the end of the age, said the risen and resurrected Jesus.
These were among His final words to his chosen men.
I recall that prisoner in Kibos Prison, Kisumu, Kenya, standing in front of 200 fellow prisoners and guards with guns and us visitors.
He was the third man on 'death row' to rise and give testimony.
"I was a sinner.
I could not talk like this before 200 men - not before I was arrested and came to Jesus Christ.
I pray.
I know that the Bible says in Romans Chapter 10 verse 9 that if you confess with you mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved! And I read in Psalm 23, that when I will pass through the valley one day, GOD will be with me.
Some of my former friends would not like to see me standing here testifying to Jesus Christ.
He has washed me and has forgiven me.
" Verse 5 - You prepare a table before me - the Hebrew phrase which comes to mind is Jehovah Nissi - the Lord is our Banner - revealed when Moses was directing the battle with the support of Aaron and Hur.
Do read the details in Exodus Chapter 17.
Reading the actual text for yourself can bring its own unique reward.
We rally round the Lord our King.
We rally round the table to be fed and nourished and strengthened, with bread and wine.
You anoint my head with oil - that anointing oil which separates you and your life and your ministry for the use and service of the Living God.
This reminds us of the Hebrew phrase, Jehovah Qadesh.
I am the Lord Who makes you holy - the Lord Who sanctifies.
Ezekiel must have known this Psalm well.
Turn to Ezekiel Chapter 34 and read from verse 11.
Look at the verbs.
Here we learn of God's active pastoral care and concern and compassion.
Jesus Christ tends and gathers and carries and leads.
Jesus rescues us from dangers and darkness's and brings us into safe pastures where we can graze and recover and be restored, as HE readies us for future service.
But he is not only OUR Shepherd, important though that is.
David goes further.
He is MY SHEPHERD.
The 23rd Psalm is so simple and yet so profound.
- There is a maturity in these easy to read words.
There are times and seasons in life when we pause and reflect and even look back over the past weeks and months.
There is nothing wrong in that.
David did and he was able to see the guiding hand of God in all his experiences, and from his years of shepherding he sees a shepherding hand, and David knew the significance of that.
David knew what it was like to be with his sheep day and night in the Judean wilderness - the need to lead them to nourishing pastures - and to guard them from marauding animals which would have stolen his sheep and harmed and killed them.
That would involve keeping a close watch, and the sheep would be unaware of what the shepherd was doing! They would not be aware that he was on duty.
He was not merely admiring the view! Jesus Christ teaches us in John Chapter 10, that the thief comes only to kill, steal, and destroy.
I have used that particularly when it comes to alcohol and drugs, but there are other thieves lurking around - one of them at this time of year is DEBT! Jesus comes offering life - real life - abundant life - and he is always so very generous.
Sandy Shaw
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