Tag: Good Shepherd

Behind Us. Before Us.

~ Barbara ~ Leave a comment

Our Shepherd is good. He cares about our needs and supplies us with rest, food, and water. He guides us and protects us. He comforts us in our sorrows. He anoints us as His own and satisfies our souls with meaning. It is true—our cup overflows.

I look behind me and what do I see? There it is! God’s goodness and love.

I look in front of me and what do I see? More goodness and love in a forever home with no shadows, no fears, no disappointments.

I’m brought back to verse one: “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.”

A relationship with God carries us through the difficulties of our present life and holds the promise of rewards in our future that are beyond imagination.

Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23:6

Photo by Sally Teschon

Finding Hope, 65 Meditations for a Broken Heart

Enemies

~ Barbara ~ 3 Comments

“We live in a hostile environment.” I drafted that sentence a week ago, before the assassination attempt. I was thinking about hostilities toward Biblical thought and aggressions against Christians and Christianity. I was fed up with the negativity of politics, on all sides. And then bullets were shot on a beautiful Saturday afternoon that took the life of a husband and father. I could easily be detracted from Psalm 23 and go off on who really pulled the trigger—whose words provided the ammunition for that fatal shot? But I will not go there. It’s a big story now, but it will fade, whereas the presence of our spiritual enemies will remain a constant.

Our enemies are not weaponized with physical bullets. They deliver spiritual attacks on our person, our minds, our psyche. They besiege us with thoughts that sow fear and suggestions that incite anger. They aim at our faith and attempt to render us ineffective. In this setting Psalm 23:5 offers us assurance:

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

He makes provision for us. He feeds us what is needed to prevail. He sets us apart. We are able to overcome because our supply overflows.

Do not wander from the Shepherd or His flock. We need His care and protection and we need the flock.

Photo by Sally Teschon

Finding Hope, 65 Meditations for a Broken Heart

I. Shall Not. Want.

~ Barbara ~ Leave a comment

Look at those faces! They reflect no want, no worry, no anxiety. These sheep seem to know experientially what we read last week—the good Shepherd gives rest, food, water, protection, comfort, guidance, and overflowing blessings.

Our deterrent to sheep-like is peace is our humanity.

When I reflect on Psalm 23 I must admit, I actually do want. I want things, pleasures, friends, experiences, love, respect. You can fill in your own specifics: a newer car, a longer vacation, success on your job, rewards for your efforts, a soulmate, an addition on your house.

An alternate translation of “I shall not want” reads, “I lack nothing.” Again, nothing? Our human nature is challenged by unbridled desires, by confusing want with need, by living in America, by easy credit and next day deliveries.

Let’s try another translation: “I will not be in need.” Though I feel needy, I am not in need. I can decide to rebuff my wants. I can reflect on the blessings cited above and trust my Shepherd. How foolish I am to not choose contentment and enjoy God’s peace! I can agree with yet another wording, “I lack nothing.” That is a truth I cannot argue with.

Friends, it’s all a matter of focus. Are we looking up or around? Are we savoring our blessings or responding to envy’s lure?  Will we count our blessings or watch our neighbors?

May our trust increase, our gratitude fill our hearts, and our devotion fix our eyes on our loving, caring Shepherd. When we do, we will confidently say with the psalmist, “I shall not want.”

Photo by Sally Teschon

Finding Hope, 65 Meditations for a Broken Heart