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What on Earth Am I Here For?
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Saturday, September 20, 2003
My Prayer Today
Note: For the next two days, we will be studying Psalm 23. This is David's song that thanks God for providing and protecting him. We will pray through the psalm each day.
Because You, God, are my Shepherd,
I commit my needs to You.
Provide green pasture for me to lie in,
Lead me beside still waters.
Restore my soul when I'm empty,
Lead me in right paths for Your name's sake.
Be with me in danger when I walk
Through the valley of the shadow of death.
Deliver me from evil,
And protect me with Your rod and staff.
Prepare a table to feed me.
So my enemies can see Your provision.
Anoint me with the oil of Your healing,
Let me drink from the full cup of Your provision.
Surely goodness and mercy will always follow me,
And I want to live with You forever. Amen.
Bible Verses
Psalm 23
New Living Translation
1 A psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I have everything I need. 2 He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. 3 He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. 4 Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. 5 You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You welcome me as a guest, anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. 6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever.
King's James Version
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 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. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Reflecting on David's Life
How can you be a shepherd to someone in your family – neighborhood – work place – church?
Digging Deeper for Spiritual Growth
"Your rod and staff protect and comfort me."
The rod was a club that was used to drive off wild animals. It was never used on the sheep but was a heavy instrument used to protect the sheep from marauding predators. The staff was a slender pole with a little crook on the end. It was used to aid the sheep. The crook could be hooked around the leg of a sheep to pull him from harm. Or it could be used as an instrument to direct, and occasionally to discipline the sheep, with taps on the side of the body.
Understanding how the shepherd tends his sheep helps in understanding the character of God. When we go wandering away, God doesn't say, "There goes that stupid sheep, insert your name!" and WHAP! down comes that big club! His attitude is, "Well, there's insert your name, wandering away again. How can I help him/her? How can I move in to bring him/her back into line? How can I comfort him/her, and supply what he/she needs?" He may have to discipline, but He always does it in love. He reproves, corrects, encourages, and instructs in righteousness, dealing with us firmly and gently.
The rod and staff are also used against the two greatest enemies we have to face. The rod is for the enemy without, Satan, who is working through the world system to destroy us. Jesus said, "He is a liar and a murderer."
He's out to devour us, and so the Lord uses the club on him.
For the other enemy, look in the mirror. The other enemy is the enemy within. In the immortal words of Pogo, "We have met the enemy, and he is us." The shepherd's staff is used to chasten, and to subdue the enemy within. But the confidence God gives is that we have nothing to fear, either from the enemy without, or from the enemy within.
In what areas of your life do you need to have God reprove, correct, encourage or instruct?
What areas of your inner self do you need to confess to God?
Just Do It!
The kindergarten small group leader asked the group if anyone would like to recite Psalm 23. Sally's hand shot up into the air. She came to the front of the room, faced the group, made a perky little bow, and said, "The Lord is my shepherd – that's all I want."
Some parts were left out of Sally's recitation but her words ring so true. The Lord is (not was, not maybe, not some of the time but is!) my shepherd. That's all we ever need or want.
Take a minute to re-read Psalm 23. Note the three I's: I have everything I need … I will not be afraid … I will live in the house of the LORD forever. Jesus spoke of us having an abundant life. "I have come," He said, "that you may have life and have it more abundantly." That's what David was describing when he wrote: "Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life." With God by our side, life is good. Our lives are fulfilled in ways we cannot even begin to imagine. Not the fullness of possessions, not the abundance of things, but the abundance of God: God's love, God's peace, God's joy, God's goodness. If we have these things and nothing else, we are infinitely more rich than if we had all the material prosperity in the world.
But there is more to this life than this present earthly existence. The psalm reminds us that God has prepared for us a marvelous future, an eternal security, a heavenly home.
David does not say, "I hope to be there." He says "I will be there … I will live in the house of the LORD forever."
The Lord is my shepherd. That's all I want!
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