My last post, When You Wonder if the Lord Really Shepherds You, was almost a month ago. I had dug up the past…an old post from a couple of years ago in which I shared an entry from my journal and a question:
“Does The Shepherd really care for me??”
I had not intended for it to be the last for a month but so much has happened in life since then. I had not intended for it to be pondered by myself as much as it was, but it really lead me throughout the week that I re-posted it and the truths in it continued to lead me this past month of great uncertainty and challenge. As I was contemplating that post, I thanked God for healing me in that time period of life in the past and asked for Him to bring me through new situations where I would be needing to trust in His shepherding. I asked a new question….How do I make sure I don’t lose the assurance I have of His presence and care? How do I not end up like others I’ve seen who have lost hope?
As I said these words, my eyes landed on a framed Psalm 23 which sits on my desk. As I read it, I was reminded of the fact that the answer has so little to do with me. It has more to do with Him and who He is and what He does. All I really need to do is be mindful, follow and keep turning my heart, mind and spirit toward Him…my Shepherd.
Psalm 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,[c]
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.
I remember going on a hike by myself years ago in the Rocky Mountains at Estes Park, Colorado.
It was when I first started traveling by myself for work. After a business trip to Denver, I stayed over a few days in the Rocky Mountains. I was just beginning to feel less scared and more adventurous in life. Though hesitant about hiking alone, I went shopping the night before my hike and picked out a bear bell in order to warn bears I would be coming along the path.
I felt so free and brave—hiking alone with all that I needed on me. A backpack, my camera, water, snacks and the bear bell.
Do you know that feeling? A feeling of simple sufficiency…that all that is needed is on you. No need to worry about the extras in life. Although much of my bravery was placed in what I had taken along with me (namely the bear bell) and my own self-sufficiency, I can’t help but use it as an illustration for these thoughts I’m having on Psalm 23.
That feeling of adventurous bravery and freedom is what I experienced when, in the midst of fear, my eyes landed on Psalm 23.
The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want…
On this life journey, what if all that I need really is what I already carry around with me? Am I really free to dare to pursue adventures with Christ…dangers and all?
Because my true home is not here and I’m heading for eternity. The path may have dangers, snares, bears and ledges. And if I don’t escape them?
If I am not rescued FROM those snares, Jesus will rescue me through them. A line I’ve heard a few times over the last decade from someone who has shepherded me through my fears about the future.
Jesus will either rescue me from the snares of life in this life or He will rescue me though them bringing me finally to Himself where no more harm can touch me.
Yes…truly…all I need is Him, the Good Shepherd.
I’m contemplating the Good Shepherd this month…will you join me for part two next week?
Linking up this week with the following inspiring and encouraging blogs. I highly recommend visiting any and all of them!
Beautiful Words and His perfect timing Amy. Thanks for pouring out. xo
Hi Judy…just going through all of my comments from the week and got to yours. Thanks again for visiting consistently and encouraging. You’re one of my blogging encouragers. I so need that…it is risky business putting your heart and thoughts out there to the world and it helps to have my friends in the blogosphere who help me do it.
I’ve done hiking alone in neighborhoods of Denver while I was there with my husband on travel. It’s not quite the same as the hiking you did. 🙂 But it still required me to trust the good Shepherd. Psalm 23 is my favorite; I quote it to myself at least once every day.
Matt Maher has a song on his latest CD about Psalm 23 and one phrase that always sticks with me in the rewording is, “He repairs my heart.” Just love that.
Is that Maher song called Garden? I like it! Thanks for pointing me to that this week! You’ve inspired me to put this Psalm up in the kitchen (where I spend so much time)! Thanks Lisa…
The Lord is my shepherd too and I don’t need to worry . A great reminder!
May we worry less and cleave more! God bless you Joy!
Amy, we are ‘neighbors’ at the Small Wonder link up this week. I look forward to reading part 2 of your post… God bless you!
Thanks for visiting from Small Wonder!
Understanding the analogy of God as my Shepherd is something I’m still trying to understand and trust in. I love this line: “If I am not rescued FROM those snares, Jesus will rescue me through them.” It’s so good to be reminded that when all I want is to be rescued, sometimes it’s better to be changed and shepherded through the trial.
Brittany–I’m still trying to wrap my mind around it too…I think I could stay on this passage for another month. May we allow, seek and pray for change through His good shepherding. Thanks for visiting!
A bear bell, huh? Eek. Not sure I could get that brave, but I like the analogy of having the Word with us always. Hiding God’s word in our hearts is the best way to equip ourselves for this hike called life. Thank you for sharing the Shepherd Psalm and pointing our eyes back to Him. Welcome back!
Hi Ruthie–Yes–a bear bell–they sell them at the tourist shops in Estes Park…can you believe it? May we continue to bravely turn toward Him in each life circumstance. Thanks for visiting!
Freedom and bravery, the two go hand-in-hand. Thanks for linking with #SmallWonder, Amy.
Yes they do…as we realize our freedom in Christ, we are enabled to walk bravely in it. Blessings…and thanks for your lovely linkup!
As one who has often times put her security in having everything I think I “need,” I find so much solace in this. Because God has been teaching me that all I really need is Him – with Him and in Him, there lies my security. Such good learning here, friend.
He is sufficient…supreme…and all we need. May we consistently walk in this truth! Oh how I want to be consistent!!!!!! Thanks for visiting…
Another great post, Amy. There is so much in the 23rd Psalm that we could study it and write about it every week and still never get to the bottom of the treasure trove! I love God’s Word… it’s like no other…
I agree…I’ve been pondering Psalm 23 for about a month and just can’t get to the bottom the treasure trove that is this Psalm. And you’re right — we will never get to the bottom of the treasure trove of God’s entire word. Thanks for visiting!
So grateful that you are my neighbor tonight for this beautiful message is so close to my heart. I can feel self-sufficient in those things (of this world) I think are going to keep me safe or I can rely on my Shepherd Who never leaves nor forsakes me. We are His sheep who are as helpless as any animal can get. He knows that and is with us when we allow Him nearness.
I think I want to reread Philip Keller’s book on the 23rd Psalm. It is a beautiful little book about the Shepherd, sheep and shepherds.
Caring through Christ, ~ linda
So grateful that you are a blogging neighbor who always seems to have words of encouragement. May we keep remembering to turn to, trust and allow our good shepherd’s care in our lives. I will check out Keller’s book!
Beautiful. Welcome back sister. ~~Visiting from Grace and Truth~~
Thank you for visiting and encouraging!
I live in Denver. One of my favorite places to hike is Estes Park…but a bear bell? I need to get me one of those! It is scary hiking by yourself in the wilderness. Kind of like wondering around in this world without Him. I like your take on Psalm 23.
Lol…yes…the bear bells are sold at shops where the tourists go! Go on Amazon and type in “Bear Bell”…they exist! They exist just like Jesus Christ…and yes…I don’t want to wander around this world without Him! Thanks for visiting!
I really appreciate this fresh look at this Psalm and how He is the one doing everything. Such a good point: “It has more to do with Him and who He is and what He does. All I really need to do is be mindful, follow and keep turning my heart, mind and spirit toward Him…my Shepherd.” There is so much freedom when we realize He is all we need to carry around. Love your hike parallel! Blessings from EspressOfFaith via #FellowshipFridays!
Hi Bonnie–thanks for your consistent encouragement. I appreciate it! I’ve dropped the blogging and visiting ball so much in the last month but I’m looking forward to heading over to your corner of the blogging world tonight! May we continue to look to Him to shepherd us through our life circumstances. He’s so much better at shepherding than I am!!
I needed to read this today, friend. I appreciate your example of courage! It absolutely has more to do with who He is than who i am and I need to remember that, and especially to rely on it more. Thanks!
Hi Holly…I will adventure with you in striving to rely on our Good Shepherd more and more. May it be more and more about Him, sister!
On this life journey, what if all that I need really is what I already carry around with me? Am I really free to dare to pursue adventures with Christ…dangers and all?
THESE words…making me ponder long and slow. THANKS and Blessings. #StillSaturday
Oh yes, Sheila…I’m pondering this long and slow too. May He impress upon you and me how free we are to pursue the dangers of walking along with Christ…adventures, dangers and all.
The last time that I spent time in Psalm 23, I focused on the same thing–the Psalm is so much about who God is and what He does. Such a blessing. Visiting from The Weekend Brew.
Hi Ginger…it’s beautiful isn’t it? Trying to rest today in what HE is actively doing in my life…Thanks for visiting!
Beautiful Amy! I have had this sense that you have been going through something and I have been praying for you. I know from this post that you are relying on the sufficiency of God and that is exactly what we all need to do. Blessed you shared this at The Weekend Brew.
Hi Mary…Thank you for your encouragement. Yes…I am going through something. I guess we all are to some extent right? But there are some intense life things going on. Thank you for praying for me. I trust the Lord is guiding you in your new season of life? Blessings to you as you seek out God’s guidance in retirement from teaching. 🙂