Bible Ballistics: BBs #438   What Are You Wanting???

 

I’d like to share a few thoughts today on one of my favorite Psalms—almost everyone’s favorite, or close—with a bit of a twist. I pray that this will help us all to stop and think about our guarding our hearts and minds from the darkness around us.

“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.”   Psalm 23:1-6

What an amazing progression of confidence, comfort and courage the Psalmist paints for us. And two of the things that always jump out at me are, “The LORD is my shepherd” and “I shall not want”! Have you ever taken in the breadth of that concept—when I choose Jesus as “my shepherd” and become HIS child (sheep) through the blood of Jesus, He gives me “abundant life” in Himself by the indwelling presence of His Holy Spirit, and we can have confidence in His Spirit’s leading, comfort for any conflict, and the courage to live in HIS victorious power!!!

“And hope maketh not ashamed;

because the love of God is shed abroad

in our hearts

by the Holy Ghost

which is given unto us.

6 For when we were yet without strength,

in due time Christ died

for the ungodly………

8 But God commendeth his love toward us,

in that, while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us.

9 Much more then,

being now justified by his blood,

we shall be saved from wrath

through him.” Romans 5:5-6 & 8-9

Jesus, the Great Shepherd gave His life for us—He paid for our sin by His own blood on Calvary’s Cross! He did that for you and me, and when we will come to Him in repentance and faith, He saves, delivers and keeps us—He becomes “my shepherd”, and I am His own! And because I am HIS, I have confidence in His faithful provision; because of His Shepherd’s heart “I shall not want”! He will lead me in the right path, to the right provision and rest, through the difficult circumstances, and He will vindicate me in His time. I don’t have to seek my own justification or vengeance—that is HIS job!

So take a few minutes today to ponder and mull over the depth and beauty of the 23rd Psalm, and let the “Great Shepherd” be “YOUR” shepherd today. If you know Him, then yield to His Sprit’s leading in your heart and life. If you don’t know Him yet, bow your knee in repentance of your own sin, and trust to His sacrifice for you—His substitutionary (He took your place), atoning (He paid your sin debt), sacrifice (He gave what He didn’t to owe, to pay what you couldn’t pay)—and He will save you.

“But what saith it?

The word is nigh thee,

even in thy mouth,

and in thy heart:

that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth

the Lord Jesus,

and shalt believe in thine heart

that God hath raised him from the dead,

thou shalt be saved.

10 For with the heart man believeth

unto righteousness;

and with the mouth confession is made

unto salvation.

11 For the scripture saith,

Whosoever believeth on him

shall not be ashamed.

12 For there is no difference

between the Jew

and the Greek:

for the same Lord over all

is rich unto all

that call upon him.

13 For whosoever shall call

upon the name of the Lord

shall be saved.” Romans 10:8-13

Amen and Amen. Rest in The Shepherd’s love today!