Do you know the Shepherd of the Psalm or the Psalm of the Shepherd?

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The world says you are what you eat…but the Word of God says you are what you think and speak. We are prophets over our own lives. We are today what we declared yesterday and tomorrow we will become whatever you spoke over our life today.

Words have creative power. They either edify or destroy; build up or tear down. According to James our tongue is like the rudder on a ship that guides us to our final destination in life. What course have you taken in life?

Oftentimes I am approached by believers and unbelievers seeking counsel and prayer. The common denominator: they are in search of a quick fix – a microwave miracle, something that will instantaneously transform their lives forever. Afflicted emotionally, spiritually or physically they all come looking for healing. Just like the woman with the issue of blood described by Luke in the Gospel they too have seen doctors, counselors and they have depleted their resources while trying to find “the cure” to their infirmity.

We are quick to seek a physician when our bodies are acting up; we are disciplined and consistent enough to take our medication three times a day. But how often do you seek help from the Great Physician, from Jehovah Rapha “the Lords who heals you” and diligently partake of his Word as medicine for your soul?

My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words.

Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart,

for they bring life to those who find them and healing to their whole body. – Prov 4:20-22

During the past few years while traveling by plane there is a constant thought that strikes my mind – We have the faith to get on a plane, and entrust our lives to a pilot to take us to a certain destination as we fly at high altitude for hours and yet:

• We don’t know him.
• His resume we have not read.
• His testimony we have not heard.
• His lifestyle we have not experienced…

However, we do have a Mighty God:

• Whose name we do know.
• Whose resume we have read.
• Whose testimony is evident in our redemptive lives.
• Whose lifestyle we desire to emulate and yet have issues entrusting our lives to Him?

Last month I attended a Christian leadership conference in Colorado Springs and eventually found time to get away and drive to Manitou Springs. The Springs is home to Pikes Peak, one of the highest peaks in the nation. It is part of the Rocky Mountain range and stands at over 14,000 feet.

During my “alone time” running up the trails the Lord reminded me that Psalm 23 seven times a day is the best medicine for our lives and that as we let it penetrate our minds while inundating our hearts it would surely bring healing to our very being. Complete obedience and trust in Him will generate abundant blessings in our lives.

David, (shepherd, poet, musician, warrior and king) also known as “a man after God’s own heart”, is the author of Psalm 23. It is believed that he penned the psalm during the most trying times in his life while being persecuted, however, I believe he must have written it during the last years of his life. Such a beautiful psalm and such display of dependence and trust it the Lord Almighty can only come after years of walking with Him and in Him.

I read a story about two orators that stood before a large audience and recited Psalm 23. The first speaker was a well-groomed young man who fashioned a designer suit and a fine Italian tie. He was noticeably educated, refined and eloquent in his speech. After declaiming the psalm the crowd broke out in a minute long applause. He had impressed them with his elegant performance.

Soon after the young man left the stage the audience became silent, the spot light shown on the second orator. He was an elderly man, assisted by a cane he slowly approached the stage and holding on to the podium cleared his voice. His clothes were worn and his shoes denoted a long journey. His voice was not the most clear nevertheless his performance brought tears to many. Once he was done reciting the crowd broke out in standing ovation that went on without end.

A member of the audience asked the young orator why the elderly man had gotten such an ovation and he replied by saying, “I know the Psalm of the Shepherd but the old man knows the Shepherd of the Psalm”.

Psalm 23 depicts the life of a shepherd and his sheep. He is not writing about a generic kind of shepherd, he writes about the Lord our Shepherd (Adonai Ro’i). In the Bible Jesus is called the Good Shepherd, the Great Shepherd and the Chief Shepherd.

He is the Shepherd who carefully watches over his flock. A Shepherd who neither sleeps nor slumbers and is always alert. A shepherd that guides them and looks out for the welfare. A Shepherd who is willing to carry his sheep when they are weary and burdened. A Shepherd that goes before them, beside them and behind them. A Shepherd who knows each sheep by name. Who knows their weaknesses and heals their wounds.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, 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 runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever. Psalm 23

In this Psalm David is not crying out to the Lord, he is not distressed it is not a plea. David is declaring his trust in Almighty God. He is saying “Lord I am your sheep and I will follow you for I know that you will take me from one victory to another”

The sheep come to the shepherd because they know that the he will take them grazing and satisfy their hunger and quench their thirst. The sheep don’t have to cry out to the shepherd, they don’t have to plead for food, they don’t beg – the shepherd already knows their needs and therefore has made provisions for them.

In the same way we don’t have to plead or cry out for Our Lord to satisfy our needs for He knows them already. Not only does He know your needs He also knows your deepest desire.

Psalm 23 is a mindset. It is medicine for our souls and bodies. If you are able to saturate your mind and heart with this Psalm you will reprogram your mind and alter the course of your life forever!

There is no power in memorizing the Psalm if you haven’t first come to know the Shepherd in a personal way. For it is in the shepherd in which we find our sufficiency.

So my question to you is “do you know the Psalm of the Shepherd or the Shepherd of the Psalm”?

Love in Christ,

Milton