'The One' is My Shepherd, I Shall Not Want'

27 October, 2008 | joanie-f

[joanie-f]

So many others are waiting to be sheared and happy about it. What a rude awakening that will be, if the shearer takes office.

Sadly so.

[21twelve]

In Sunday School we were talking about Psalm 23 with the kids. I need to discuss it in more detail with my own older children. But I was thinking how much that I needed to hear these comforting words - and how the children probably have NO sense of the danger and evil that the world can bring. And especially with a person like Obama running a close race. But - I keep praying that God will not allow our country to reap the punishment that it probably deserves, but will again spare us and deliver us.

But, regardless of whatever happens, He will be there for us. The True Shepherd. And we can sing this psalm even as we walk through the dark shadows of the Valley.

Psalm 23
A psalm of David.
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,

3 he restores my soul.
He guides 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 love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.

[joanie-f]

What a beautiful testimony you provided, 21twelve!

You know, the 23rd Psalm is probably one of the first complete chapters of the Bible that a child learns and commits to memory. So we adults tend to somehow 'overlook' it, in search of scripture that is more 'deep' or 'profound'. Yet it is both, in the depth and breadth of comfort and promise it provides. Sometimes the simplest words impart the most meaningful messages.

I placed a very small framed calligraphy copy of the 23rd Psalm on the wall of my office at work about fifteen years ago. Since I am a government official, I suspected that I might someday be asked to take it home. That has not happened yet, and, at the same time, many a person has come into my office, and that small framed piece of scripture has served as the catalyst for a meaningful conversation -- not always faith-related, but somehow uplifting.

It still hangs there, fifteen years later, awaiting the day that someone deems it 'inappropriate'.

I keep praying that God will not allow our country to reap the punishment that it probably deserves, but will again spare us and deliver us.

Thank you for that. I can't help but wonder whether such a 'punishment' might prove to be just the kind of 'cleansing' experience we may need in order to turn our eyes back toward Him. However His will unfolds, we would all do well to reflect on your faithful admonition: Regardless of whatever happens, He will be there for us.

Thank you, 21twelve, and the best to you and yours in these troubling times.

~ joanie

[21twelve]

Your reply reminded me of a meeting I had a few years ago where some Chinese folks were talking about the underground church in China and how it was such a miracle and flourishing. They said that the increase in faith was so great and powerful. And that they prayed that American Christians would be persecuted so that OUR faith would increase.

After they gave their talk and we were milling about I went up to one of the speakers and thanked him for his wonderful description of the active faith of the believers in China, and added, “But, if ya don’t mind - can ya quit praying for us!?”

[brityank]

Masterful essay on our State of The Nation, Joanie -- thank you.

I jumped in here to pass along a link for the CD of that Bezmenov interview available for $20 (or less) at Deception Was My Job -- The Testimony of Yuri Bezmenov, KGB Propagandist ^ -- Interviewed by G. Edward Griffin.

Mr. Bezmenov tells how the Soviets used propaganda against their own citizens; how he hoodwinked American journalists into publishing Soviet propaganda, how slave laborers are concealed from foreign visitors, and how he escaped to the West posing as an American hippie. Includes many photographs brought with him on microfilm at the time of his escape.

• Part 1: Life under Soviet Collectivism
• Part 2: Propaganda and Mind Control
• Part 3: Cultural Subversion and Escape
The original 1985 release of this program was entitled Soviet Subversion of the Free-World Press. It provides insights to state propaganda that is as current as today's newspaper. 90 minutes, DVD.

It really is chilling to see how prescient that interview was. Best wishes to you both, and God bless and protect us all in the days ahead.

[joanie-f]

Thanks for the very kind words, brityank.

And thank you so much for the link to the DVD! What a damning exposé this piece is on the power and arrogance of the modern media. I was transfixed when I first viewed it -- it's as if Bezmenov were transported forward twenty-three years and serving as a modern commentator on the state of the media.

Best to you and yours, brityank, in these troubling times ...

~ joanie

[joanie-f]

“But, if ya don’t mind - can ya quit praying for us!?”

ROTFLOL!

[hosepipe]

Psalm 23 goes expressly with John ch 10...
After escaping the sheep pens the pasture beckons..
AND the flock awaits..

[Skooz]

bump

[hosepipe]

[ Thank you for that. I can't help but wonder whether such a 'punishment' might prove to be just the kind of 'cleansing' experience we may need in order to turn our eyes back toward Him. ]

I fear that at least one large American city getting nuked awaits us.. I hope I'm wrong but the shock just may get some peoples attention.. could take more than one..

[Alamo-Girl]

Thank you oh so very much for sharing your testimony and that beautiful Scripture!

But - I keep praying that God will not allow our country to reap the punishment that it probably deserves, but will again spare us and deliver us.

I join in your prayer for our country.

And I am certain whatever happens will be according to God's will.

Maranatha, Jesus!!!

[Alamo-Girl]

Thank you oh so very much for sharing your testimony, dear sister in Christ!

I'm very glad to hear that you keep the 23^rd Psalm on display despite the current attitude about such things!

So we adults tend to somehow 'overlook' it, in search of scripture that is more 'deep' or 'profound'. Yet it is both, in the depth and breadth of comfort and promise it provides. Sometimes the simplest words impart the most meaningful messages.

I agree. The first phrase assures us that because the Lord is our Shepherd, we will have everything that we need.

And the "valley of the shadow of death" gives us the perspective that it is only a shadow.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. - John 5:24

I also find it significant that the 22^nd Psalm which speaks to the crucifixion immediately precedes those assurances. Those who seek Scriptures which are more profound, need only turn the page back and read the two Psalms together.

Maranatha, Jesus!!!

[joanie-f]

I fear that at least one large American city getting nuked awaits us.. I hope I'm wrong but the shock just may get some peoples attention.. could take more than one..

I sadly agree.

~ joanie

[joanie-f]

How awesome Jesus’ words on the cross were, proclaiming His fulfillment of God's purpose … bringing into reality David’s first verse of Psalm 22, written a thousand years earlier!

And then, to be followed by the most comforting assurances of Psalm 23 … even in these terribly troubling times, how can we lose hope, knowing that His death was foretold, He died for us, and His promise is eternal!

I also find it significant that the 22nd Psalm which speaks to the crucifixion immediately precedes those assurances. Those who seek Scriptures which are more profound, need only turn the page back and read the two Psalms together.

How beautifully said! Thank you for reminding us of the magnificent connection between Psalms 22 and 23, dear sister. I challenge anyone to find another example of the written word whose depth and breadth and timelessness can compare!

~ joanie

[Alamo-Girl]

How awesome Jesus’ words on the cross were, proclaiming His fulfillment of God's purpose … bringing into reality David’s first verse of Psalm 22, written a thousand years earlier!

And then, to be followed by the most comforting assurances of Psalm 23 … even in these terribly troubling times, how can we lose hope, knowing that His death was foretold, He died for us, and His promise is eternal!

Amen!

Thank you oh so very much for sharing your insights, dear sister in Christ, and thank you for your encouragements!