For the last 12 weeks we have been working on Psalm 23 using the book, A Shepherd looks at Psalm 23, written by W. Phillip Keller. ISBN # 0-301-20994-3
chapter 1 I The Lord is my shepherd
In this chapter, we realize that we often look at God through human eyes and think of Him as to small or to human to trust. Because of this we feel unwilling to allow God to have authority or control – much less outright ownership of our lives. We must be willing to put our faith/trust in God.
chapter 2 I I shall not want
The main emphasis for me in this chapter is that my God takes care of all of my needs when I completely trust Him.
Chapter 3 I He maketh me lie down in green pastures
In summing this up it shows me that the Lord has gone above and beyond what I could think or imagine. He makes my path and my way smooth and easy. If you think of it as a path in the woods, He has pulled out the rocks, smoothed out the high spots, filled in the low spots, cut out the roots, cut back the branches and made my path smooth and level so that my life’s path would be easy for me to walk. However, if I am hardheaded and stubborn and refuse to walk in the path He has prepared for me, He will not make me walk there. God will allow me to walk anywhere I choose because He has given me free will and he will not violate that. But if I am a wise sheep, I will follow my shepherd and rest easy in the green pastures.
chapter 4 I He leads me beside still waters
In this chapter it talks about finding the water that truly refreshes. One could drink water all day long and still get thirsty – thirsty for the word of God. But in this chapter, it tells us that only He can satisfy our thirst. Who is this that we are talking about, Jesus Christ our Savior. It is Jesus who makes sense and purpose and meaning come out of situations which otherwise could be but a mockery to me. The book states: “Suddenly life starts to have significance. I discovered I am the object of his special care and attention.” The book goes on and says dignity and direction come into the events of my life, and I see them sorting themselves out into a definite pattern of usefulness. All of this is refreshing, stimulating, invigorating. My thirst for reality in life is quenched. I discover that I have found what satisfies me - that satisfaction is my master, Jesus Christ.
chapter 5 I He restores my soul
The book that explains what a cast sheep is. A sheep gets himself turned upside down and cannot get himself back on his feet, and if he does not get the help to get turned around he will surely die. It compares that to the Christian that has fought the good fight, but for some reason has wandered away and is no longer able to stand upright on on their own. Now the enemy finds them easy prey. The enemy circles around to attack anyone that is weak or off on their own, this is what you must stick with the group.
Chapter 6 I He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his namesake
In this section we see how the Shepherd/Pastor leads his flock so that they can grow and thrive in a healthy environment. It talks in the book about shifting pastures (from time to time moving the sheep so that they don’t over forage and ruin the pasture). This also avoids the rutting of the trails and erosion of the land. We can see this in the church, the message of the good news of the gospel never changes however the packaging is updated from time to time and the location changes from time to time. There are mission trips locally and foreign countries. Also trips to nursing homes, visiting people in their own home if they are shut-ins, all kinds of different types of ministry to keep us out of the “rut” that the sheep would make if they overworked the pasture”.
Chapter 7 I Yea, though I walk through the valleY
In this chapter we talked about the Lord walking with us as we go through the dangerous valleys to get to the high country because the Shepherd knows that when we get to the high country will have lush fields filled with fresh green grass and cool running water. But there are many dangerous passes we must go through, not to avoid them but to go through them with our Shepherd beside us. He will never leave us or forsake us. We need not be afraid, the reward at the end is worth it all.
Chapter 8 I Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me
In this chapter we talked about how the rod is there to discipline unruly sheep and protect against the enemy. And the staff is there to comfort both the sheep and the Shepherd.
Chapter 9 I Thou preparest a table before me
In this chapter we talk about making it to the high country. The fields in the high country are called the tablelands, and the Shepherd has gone ahead of time to prepare a place, to prepare the tablelands, so that the sheep can have green pastures and fresh water when they arrive. The Shepherd plans an advance party to go up taking all the supplies needed before the sheep. They clear out all the poisonous weeds from the ground and prepare the tableland for the sheep and protect them from possible death. In this way they could enjoy and rest easy and eat and grow and be productive and produce well for the Shepherd.
Chapter 10 I Thou anointest must my head with oil
Now it’s summertime, it would appear that the sheep are in a sublime setting. There are clear running springs and fresh foliage for them to eat, however the Shepherd spots some flies. This time frame is called fly time. Only those people being familiar with livestock or studied wildlife habits are aware of the seriousness of this problem. There are bot flies, nose flies and various other types of flies. Their attack on the animals can turn the golden summer into a torturous time for sheep that can drive them nearly to distraction. In the book it talks about how to handle this time and what to do. He compares this to an exact picture of irritations in our own life and on how those small petty annoyances and distractions can ruin the day. The Shepherd puts on an ointment made of oil, sulfur and tar and this stops the flies from bothering them. But as children of God we can degenerate into a most disgraceful sort, if were not careful. So just as the sheep have an anointing so we as the flock of the good Shepherd have an anointing of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit alone can give us the attitudes of Christ. He alone makes it possible for us to react to aggressions and annoyances with quietness and calmness. When people or circumstances and events beyond our control tend to bug us, it is possible to be content and serene when these “outside” forces are counteracted by the presence of God’s Spirit. What I do in any given situation is to expose it to my master, my owner, Christ Jesus, and say, “Oh Lord, I can’t cope with these petty, annoyances, peevish problems. Please apply the oil of your Spirit to my mind both at the conscious and subconscious levels of my thought life. Rnabled me to act and react just like you would.” And he will! It will surprise you how promptly he complies with such request made in deadly earnest.
Chapter 11 I Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
In this chapter we are summing up what we have learned and we find out that having a shepherd like this is a privileged position. We know that no matter what comes, whether it be good or bad, we have goodness and mercy follow us every day of our life. We can be sure that we are under sound, sympathetic, intelligent ownership. What more need we care about? Goodness and mercy will be the treatment we receive from our Master's expert loving hands. All the care, all the work, all the alert watchfulness, all the skill, all the concern, all the self-sacrifice are born of His love – the love of one who loves His sheep, loves His work, loves His role as a shepherd. “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd gives His life for his sheep.”
Chapter 12 “I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever”.
In chapter 12 we find that the sheep are so satisfied with there lot in life, so fully contented with its care, that it receives so much at home with the Shepherd that there is not a shred of desire for change. On the Shepherd side there has developed a great affection and devotion to his flock. He would never think of parting with such a sheep. Healthy, content, productive sheep are his delight and profit, the bonds are very strong. It is with sublime feeling of both composure and contentment that this statement, “I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever,” is made. Actually what is referred to by “house” is the family or household or flock of the Good Shepherd. The sheep are so deeply satisfied with the flock to which it belongs, with the ownership of its particular Shepherd, that it has no wish to change whatsoever. There is a wider but equal growing awareness of God all around me. I live surrounded by His presence. I am an open book an individual living and open life to His scrutiny. He is conscious of every concern because I belong to Him, and this will continue through eternity. What an assurance! I shall dwell in the presence of an in the care of the Lord forever.
By Gary Miller