Smash Some Doors! August 9, 2016

The Good Shepherd

A Davidic psalm.

1 

23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2     He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
3     He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
    for his name's sake.

4 Even 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.

5 You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever.

Psalm 23:1-6 ESV

The 23rd Psalm.  Memorized by many.  Quoted in movies.  Printed on sympathy cards.  One of the most secularly recognized set of verses.  Because of the high visibility of this Psalm, there is the danger of missing out on the power and strength and, by extension, the comfort contained in these six short verses.

Many times when this Psalm is read on a television show or in a movie, it is by a preacher or priest at a funeral.  The friends and family standing around the casket, dressed in black with red-rimmed eyes.  The ever suspicious police lieutenant standing a few feet away looking for suspects.  A light mist creating an ominous atmosphere.  

But this Psalm is for the living.  It is a comfort for us in this ever-changing world.  And it is not a passive, milquetoast set of verses.

The imagery is of a person who is guaranteed sustenance:  "I shall not want."  No maybes, no mights.  A definitive.  Definiteness.  We WILL be provided for by JEHOVAH-JIREH, The Lord our Provider, the see'r and Provider of our Needs.

God "leads" and "guides".  He does not suggest or hint.  He is JEHOVAY-TSID-KENU or Faithful Guide.  He accompanies us as a leader and guide.  He is not that big-box store employee who points vaguely to an aisle in the back corner when we ask about the pesto.  God goes before us.  He walks beside us.   

He carries a big stick.  He is JEHOVAH-SABAOTH, The Lord of Hosts, our Protector.  His staff cannot only pull us out of the ditch, but also destroy the evil Satan wishes will harm us.

I love the attitude in verse five.  God prepares a table for us in the presence of our enemy.  

David Wilkerson wrote about this in a blog post.  "Meanwhile, as God is preparing and serving your feast, he makes  your enemies sit on the outer fringe of the scene and watch everything unfold.  They see the Lord himself spreading your table with food, escorting you to your seat and waiting on you.  They they watch as you fill up your soul with heaven's delightful fare.  What an incredible scene.  Your enemies are in shock.  They were sure God was going to strike you down for your failures.  They were prepared to stand over you gloating, as you fell into destruction.  Yet now they have been ordered to watch as you feast on food served by God himself.  They are forces to observe how the Lord serves you, feeds you, and anoints you with the oil of joy and gladness."

Even the last word of Psalm kicks down some doors.  FOREVER!  Not "for a long time".  No lease to be renewed.  Forever.  Eternity.  An incomprehensible, never-ending dwelling with the Alpha and Omega.

Such strength in these six verses.  Power.  Brawn.  Muscularity.  No, the 23rd Psalm was not meant to be relegated to wrote recitation in some Hollywood production.  Use it to kick down the door of fear.  Allow it to be a sledgehammer that smashes anxiety.  It is only after recognizing God's strength can we fully rest in his peace.