Helped!

Helped!

The Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, to guide and to shield me], I shall not want. He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still and quiet waters. Psalms 23:1‭-‬2 AMP

The Charge:

God is introduced here as the personal shepherd of the writer of this psalm. Of course, we know God reveals Himself in different ways to different people at different times, but the one sure thing you can hold on to will be the very personal  revelation of God to that person. That personal encounter will be the sustaining power for that person, so that, even in the face of the most difficult circumstances, hope is not lost. This must have been the state of David as he wrote these words: if you don't know Him as One, you can't experience Him as such. David was also a shepherd of sheep, so he also knew what it meant to be responsible for a few sheep. Every experience God brings my way is teaching me dependence and reliance on God. No experience is wasted, because the end of my life is important to God as much as the journey itself.

The Shepherd knows his work. He feeds, guides and shields me. He does not take a break, neither does he go on holiday. It is a lifelong assignment for the Shepherd to take care of the sheep. Of course, this would mean that the sheep have totally surrendered to the Shepherd. They trust his leadership and guidance, and follow His lead, wherever that may be. The sheep does not have an opinion contrary to the view of the shepherd, because it is the shepherd who will answer for the sheep. Can I say, of a truth, that I have God as my own shepherd? Is He Lord of ALL my life or just in charge of some areas of my life? Remember, the verse is about God being my shepherd, who leads me in the right path, and who knows just what is best for me, at the right time, in the right quantity and in the right way. That is the package that comes with being sheep under this shepherd.

The Conclusion:

He does not make any promises about perpetually blue skies without any tough seasons, but He gives me assurance that wherever He may lead, whether it is through the fire, the sea or the storms, He is there with me. No matter what is going on outside of me, it does not affect the balance and peace inside of me. That inner peace is not by magic or physical labour, but by the gift of the presence of God. I note that the verse says "He leads". He knows the future, and he will not take me where His grace can't preserve me. Where he leads will calm my fears, because He is there with me. No matter what else I get, I must make sure I have the Presence of God. That is the one person who lasts forever. All who are in Him will also get to live forever. Does He know me as part of His sheep? Do I know His as my Shepherd? God's time of favour is here.