“THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD”

       

The Psalm begins by making the person using the Psalm describe our relationship with God.  There are three key words in this statement.

 

"Lord", meaning God;

 

"My", describing the personal ownership and relationship;

 

"Shepherd", defining the relationship with a parable like word.

 

"Shepherd" is the descriptive term of the relationship we have with God and God has with us.  It should be noted that without sheep there is no shepherd and without a shepherd the flock disperses and the sheep perish.

 

Sheep are not aware of the productive and the non-productive areas of a grazing mountain they rely on the "Shepherd" to guide them.  Sheep do not understand the full picture when the Shepherd begins to move them to more lush grazing areas.  In fact they often stop and start to graze in sparse areas.  If it weren't for the Shepherds understanding, guidance and prodding the Sheep would never get to the lush areas in which they can flourish and grow.  

 

When we make the affirmation of the Psalm 23, we acknowledge our relationship in this journey we call life and with God.  We have no understanding of what is really good for us and where we can best express ourselves.  So, like sheep, we stop in unproductive areas or go down unproductive paths causing God our "Shepherd" to make us move and change course.  Just as sheep don't like to get prodded in the ribs or the fanny by the shepherd's staff, we look upon God's prodding and nudging of us as irritating at times.

 

When we make this affirmation we acknowledge our lack of understanding, but we also affirm God's total understanding.  We affirm, like the shepherd and the sheep, God will take care of us no matter the situation, just like a shepherd will not neglect a single lamb.  We are taken care of  absolutely.  We must be careful not to run and hide from God, our Shepherd.  While we are never lost to God if we think we are separated, God's Love for us allows us to experience that which we choose.  

 

It is important for us to know that we are as important to God as God is to us.  God needs us as much as we need God.  We cannot function without God.  God cannot manifest without us,  God and you are one.

The Twenty Third Psalm

 

The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul:
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name' sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: For thou art with me;
Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies;
Thou annointest my head with oil; My cup runneth 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.

What I see I Am

Copyright Ronald O. Masters II, 2010 All Rights Reserved Copying is permitted if the author is credited.

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