“And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” 
Psalm 23:6 part 2 (NIV)

Our human minds are so limited when it comes to the vastness of the dwelling place of God. Though the temple was a physical dwelling place of God’s presence in the time of David, his presence isn’t limited to a geographical place. It’s where his nature reigns and we are immersed in it with all our needs met with his bountiful provisions. In God’s house, our longings are satisfied with his love and care. 

Philip Keller described how in his early years of working as a shepherd, his property was next to another shepherd and his flock. The sheep “next door” were neglected and weary due to lack of proper care by their owner. They were huddled together in their misery seemingly waiting to get out of the pen. 

In the winter when nearby tides receded it sometimes allowed some of the abused sheep to break free and wander into the lush grasslands where Keller grazed his sheep. The sick sheep ate healthy grass they were unaccustomed to. This wreaked havoc on their stomachs. They should have been on dry food first so their systems could heal and adjust. 

At this time of year it wasn’t uncommon for Keller to find some dead sheep belonging to the other shepherd on his land. He would pick them up and put them in a wheel barrow and take them back to their owner. This other shepherd was a heartless man who upon receiving the sheep, took out a sharp knife and slit their throats. Keller says, 

“What a picture of Satan who holds ownership of so many.”

Isn’t this the truth! “Those sheep never came in by way of my gate,” Keller goes on to say, “or they would have been given the proper care they needed.” 

They had never really become his. They were owned by someone else.

As God’s children, we know the safety and contentment of being in the Lord’s flock! Dwelling with God is where we want to be and he welcomes us into his presence anytime, anywhere.

What do you experience when you make time to dwell with God?

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He pursues me with good things

Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. Psalm 23:6a (The Message)

When our life is a hot mess, God shows up in some way to remind us he still cares deeply for us.

I got to see that in photos recently. Friends Ed and Carol, just entering their 80s, are both dealing with health issues: Ed with an ever increasing dementia, and Carol fighting cancer. After over a year of treatment involving multiple rounds of chemo and immunotherapy, Carol surprisingly found herself in late spring with energy again and a renewed ability to have a normal day. This was in answer to many prayers. Their granddaughter was getting married in July, and they wanted to be present at the wedding. 

God chased them through the fierce battles they’d faced in the recent months and had a wonderful gift for them….good days, good weeks and even a few good months. At the wedding, Ed walked down the aisle with confidence and vigor, taking his place in the front row like a protective, proud parent and grandparent.

And Carol had the joy of throwing petals as the “flower grandmother” as she walked to the front unassisted and with a spring in her step. It was a grand day. God surprised them with a gift. This wasn’t something the doctors could predict or control. It was a loving act of a merciful God. 

Their hot mess hasn’t vanished. Ed still has dementia. Carol’s cancer has returned with a vengeance, but oh the goodness of God in the summer of 2023. It was more than they ever dreamed and has given them a lasting joy. It’s our God’s nature to do these things for us.

Author, Phillip Keller writes:

“His goodness, mercy and compassion for me are new every day. And my assurance is lodged in these aspects of His character. My trust is in His love for me as His own. My serenity has as its basis an implicit, unshakeable reliance on His ability to do the right thing in any given situation.”

As Christ pursues us with his goodness and mercy, how do we in turn offer that to others?

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My cup overflows.

A shepherd finds great contentment when he brings his flock to land he has made ready for them. The sheep thrive here. They are healthy and their grazing can improve the quality of the land. When they leave the pasture, it can actually look better than when they arrived. 

What a beautiful imprint the shepherd’s care leaves on us. 

It fills us to the brim and beyond! 

Running over!

And in turn we can give it to the world.

When we get to know the shepherd, the attributes of love, joy, peace, long-suffering, and generosity begin to fill our cup…a different picture than the angry tempers, frustration and irritability that can mark our lives if we are not paying attention.

It’s a guarantee there will be disappointments and trouble in our cups. Jesus faced this in the Garden of Gethsemane before His death. Drinking from that bitter cup of suffering, he gave the ultimate sacrifice.  His resources for his beloved sheep are limitless so we know the grace, mercy and provision of his love even in the troubling moments when we drink from a bitter cup. The shepherd never abandons his sheep. 

How do I sense God’s care for me overflowing from him?

How is my contentment as one of God’s beloved sheep noticeable to the watching world?

 

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“You anoint my head with oil.”

It’s here…another year. 12 months of what?  I don’t know.

But I do know this:

I need a fresh pour of your oil on my head, Lord.

Oh, how I need it.

Like sheep when an attentive shepherd greases up their heads with oil looking for anything that needs to be removed, bacteria, pests, disease…that’s what I need!

I need a thorough cleansing…from all I carry that leads me astray, that distracts me from your ways, that hinders me.

I need a robust dose of your oil like the kind David talked about dripping off of Aaron:

“How wonderful, how beautiful, when brothers and sisters get along! It’s like costly anointing oil flowing down head and beard. Flowing down Aaron’s beard, flowing down the collar of his priestly robes. It’s like the dew on Mount Hermon flowing down the slopes of Zion. Yes, that’s where God commands the blessing, ordains eternal life.” Psalm 133:1-3 (The Message)

You created me for unity. Yet, I want my way. 

So bring it on, Lord. 

Your oil is like liquid moisture in a drought. It soothes the rough places.

Bring the oil, the dew of Hermon, to saturate me to the bone so I can be used to build up and not tear down.

The daily pour from you soothes my fractured relationships and conflicts with others. It ministers to my heart with healing power so that I am prepared for service and healthy life in community. When you anoint me, Lord, I am ready to face the world. 

So please tip the jar my way, I pray. Turn it upside down on me, Father.

How I need a hefty dose of your oil. Soak my collar.

I’m ready.

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“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.” Psalm 23:5

Philip Keller*, who spent some years as a shepherd, tells us the table or “mesa” is part of the summer grazing place on the mountain. Located in various places around the world like Africa and Spain, the mesas have to be prepped for the arrival of the flock. The shepherd makes the trek to the mesa a few times before he actually takes the sheep up there every year. Taking salt and minerals with him, he sprinkles them around and preps the ground. He must also examine the plants. There may be beautiful flowering varieties growing in the wild that have to be plucked out by the roots as they are poisonous to the sheep. 

Jesus, our shepherd, gives great time and care to get the “table” ready for us, his sheep. Though the enemy’s dark activity is close by, the table is off limits to the evil one. Here at the table, we can sit and feast on the goodness of the Lord. Alive with his presence, his fragrance and light overshadow the table in such a way that our souls are overcome with his love and provision. 

There is no fear at his table. It is a place of safety and celebration. And we are welcome there anytime.

When have you feasted at the Lord’s table? What did you experience there?

*Keller, Philip, A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23. 

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“Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4 NIV) in other words…

“Your trusty shepherd’s crook makes me feel secure. “ (The Message)

In earlier generations, choosing a rod or staff was a rite of passage for a young shepherd. Each one chose a branch, cut it, whittled it and formed it to suit their needs and responsibilities as the guardian of the flock. 

Obviously, a rod and staff are used to protect the sheep from dangerous situations. They’re also used as a means of discipline. A shepherd would use it to apply pressure to keep a sheep from wandering into danger. The shepherd would actually throw the rod, a skill developed over time, as he tried to divert the lamb from wandering or keep it from eating a poisonous plant. 

Shepherds also use the rod for counting and examination. Ezekiel, the prophet, talks about the covenant God made with his people and the act of “passing under the rod.” (Ezekiel 20:37) A shepherd would pay close attention to each sheep as they passed under his rod. His keen eye was searching for anything that might signal that the sheep needed some attention or treatment. The rod would also be used as a tool to hold back the long heavy wool to examine the skin as the shepherd looked for defects or signs of illness.

Ultimately, the rod brings comfort to a flock because it brings intimacy. 

How can you recall your shepherd’s care for you with the aid of his rod and staff?

 

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Shepherds lead their flocks into the “high country” in late Spring following the snow melt line as they ascend. It’s where the best vegetation can be found. Every mountainous area has valleys where water pools and can be accessed which is essential for getting to the heights. 

It’s not an easy trek for a herd. There are cliffs, canyons and gulches. The new lambs have never been that way before and it can be steep and dangerous. And then there is the fact that predators like water too. Nevertheless, valleys are essential in strengthening the sheep for the climb.

In our human world, it’s a strange oxymoron that we can be fed well and cared for while going through the “valley of the shadow of death.” Our valleys are not always about physical death. They are the daily battles we face.

Knowing the wisdom of our good shepherd, how will we view and respond to the valleys we encounter?

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me.” Psalm 23:4

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If sheep are allowed to wander wherever they want, their well-worn paths turn into ruts…deep ruts. The vegetation turns parasitic, rotten and lean. Sheep get sick from these conditions if the shepherd doesn’t guide them to new pastures. The problem is the sheep don’t really want to leave the old path. 

As prideful humans we get used to the daily habits we’ve formed and we want to determine what is best for us. We love the familiar. We want to choose our own path.

When we lay down our will and take up his cross, we find new pastures of healthy grass. An observer can look at land where sheep have grazed and can tell whether their shepherd knew what he was doing. If the land is full of paths of dead ruts it reflects on the shepherd. 

Does my life reflect the holy, righteous one who loves me enough to steer me to new paths? Am I resistant to his call or do I follow his lead? Do I bring honor to His name?

“…He opens before me the right path and leads me along in his footsteps of righteousness so that I can bring honor to his name.” Psalm 23:3 TPT

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In his book, “A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, “ Philip Keller describes a “cast” sheep as one who has turned over on its back, and cannot get up by itself again. This can happen due to illness, age or pregnancy. But any sheep can become a “cast” sheep for various reasons. 

It’s a shepherd’s responsibility to look over his flock daily to make sure the sheep are able to get upright. If they can’t, he has to help them get up on their feet or within a short time they will die. The shepherd searches his flock looking for those who are “cast” sheep….vulnerable to predators and unable to care for themselves.  

If a sheep has been on its back too long, the legs lose circulation and even when gently turned over, the sheep may be unable to stand. The shepherd then has to hold his sheep upright and massage the legs until circulation is restored so it can stand on its own without falling over. 

The enemy will tell us we are not worthy to stand again and that God is done with us. Not true! Our Good Shepherd sees our struggle and comes to our aid armed with hope and strength. Restoration is ours, over and over again.

When has your shepherd borne the heaviness of holding you till you could stand again?

“He restores my soul.” Psalm 23:3

Sheep don’t lie down so willingly. They’re easily agitated, skittish, and fearful. A good shepherd provides an environment of peace and assurance of protection in order to get his sheep to lie down. He has to move them away from whatever upsets them or threatens their well-being. 

When life gets crazy and we are pulled in many directions or panicked about something, he calls us to stop what we’re doing and gaze on his presence. He urges us to lie down and experience his peace. The sound of his voice leads us to a stillness we long for. Amidst our frenzy, we begin to take deep breaths of his goodness and strength which calm our anxious hearts and minds. He creates those places for us whether we’re behind the wheel of a car, in a hospital, or caring for family. He leads us to pastures and quiet streams, providing the very thing we need in the moment. 

How do you know when your shepherd is saying, “Stop and lie down here. Listen to the stillness I’m providing.”

“He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,”

Psalms 23:2