Wow! It feels like the world is inside-out these days. Maybe for the last 30 years the craziness has been simmering around us, but it sure came to a boil in 2020.
As Christians, we are taught that God has this under control. We repeat it to ourselves and to each other, trying to have confidence that the world isn’t ‘going to hell in a hand basket’ as my mother used to say.
But, in fact, we have no promises that tell us that the civilization around us is going to settle down and be normal. There is no promise of peace and love in our culture, in our government, in our entertainment.
In fact Jesus said “in this world you will have trouble”. Wow was he right!
But the next sentence is what matters to us. “I have overcome the world.”
33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33(ESV)
What is it you want, exactly?
I have been reading Psalms 23. Actually i have been living for a week in Psalm 23. It starts very simply. The first sentence summarizes the whole prayer. “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
The problem is, I DO want. I want things to get back to normal. I want a peaceful life with my family. I want to get on a plane and travel to Europe. (Well that might be a dream more than a want. But can’t a girl dream?)
But David is not telling us he shall not want because the Shepherd gives him these things. David is choosing NOT to want. He is choosing instead to trust.
David reminds himself, and us, that the Shepherd is good. He leads us beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads in paths of righteousness. Why? Because those blessings shout to the world how great God is; how loving and wise and caring God is. But that testimony is marred if we are constantly “wanting”.
The Valley of the Shadow of Death
So if you are walking through the valley of the shadow of death, will you fear the evil? David chooses not to fear. Instead he knows that the Shepherd’s rod and staff, the tools God uses to guide us, will keep us on the safe path.
And in that time of darkness and evil, where our enemies surround us and call us names, we can relax at the table of God, our cups overflowing with His mercy and love.
But here’s the trick. As long as we still “want” the comfort of this world, we will be disappointed and afraid.
But if we want what the Shepherd offers, we will be completely satisfied. And our satisfaction with those good gifts will make us a testimony to those around us who have not heard about the good shepherd.
The Lord Is My Shepherd
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 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,
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.
Psalm 23 (ESV)
