Blessings to Rev. Ben for getting me to question my relationship with God. Most of us like to think we are developing some type of relationship with God by trying to get to know Him. In order to do that, we must read and study the Word of God. There are passages that we see so many times that we don’t go any deeper than we have to.
Take Psalms 23 for example. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to 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.
We hear this Psalm all of the time. It’s short, it’s peaceful, and it is simple. So simple, that we take it for granted. Was that what David intended when he wrote it? I don’t know where he wrote and he went through enough struggles that he did think it was necessary to write. But one has to admit that the psalm is short and sweet. Think about God's goodness and mercy. Where would we be without them? Where would we be without His love?
Don’t forget that David was a shepherd in his youth and he did defend his flock against its enemies. See where I’m going? He killed a lion, a bear, and Goliath! All were in the “in the shadow of death” where he walked and feared “no evil.” Why, because in the presence of his enemies, God anointed his head with oil. So much that his cup ran over. David remembered that the Chief Shepherd is with at all times and will supply all of David’s needs. Being near peaceful waters and resting in soft green pastures are what we all look for. David was a man after God’s heart and he wanted goodness and mercy to be with him all of his life. He expected it! David knew God like you know your best friend. You know what they like and don’t like. You know them sometimes better than yourself. But do we start off to know God that well? Do we try?
When our storms come as did David’s, do we forget about the Shepherd and look to our own way of surviving. And when we don’t get a hand getting out of that storm, we start reaching somewhere else. If we really had faith enough to trust God, we would know that God will bring us out of the storm! It’s just so hard to let go of old habits. God wants us to trust Him. He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He is consistent.
