Psalm 23 Written by David probably when he was king.

1The 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.

QUESTIONS:

What does David say the Lord does for us?

When you hear “Shepherd”how does that make you view Jesus?

What does it mean when David says “I shall not want?”

Why does the Lord lead us in the path of righteousness?

Why does David fear no evil?

What do you think verse 4 means by “your rod and your staff, they comfort me?

What Does David expect all the days of his life?

What do you think when you read through this psalm?

Verses from Different Bible Translation

Holman Christian Standard -Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff–they comfort me.”

God’s Word -Even though I walk through the dark valley of death, because you are with me, I fear no harm. Your rod and your staff give me courage.

ADDITIONAL VERSES

Micah 7:14 Shepherd with Your staff Your people, the flock of Your inheritance. They live alone in a woodland, surrounded by pastures. Let them graze in Bashan and Gilead, as in the days of old.

Psalm 100:3  Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Jeremiah 50:6  My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their resting place.

Matthew 15:24  [Jesus] answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

Isaiah 53:6 Like sheep we have all gone astray. We have turned, every one, to his own way.

Luke 15:4-6  who goes seeking for the lost sheep until he finds it. “And when he hath found it, he laid it upon his shoulders, rejoicing…and when he cometh home, he calls together his friends and neighbors saying unto them; “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost”

reasonforhopejesus.com  see https://reasonsforhopejesus.com/shepherds-rod-and-staff-different/

Perhaps “dumb” is not a fair attribute of sheep, but “dependent” certainly is. Sheep are dependent on their shepherd for direction and protection.  They are not independent creatures. They are not strong, nor are they survivors.  They quickly wander away and can easily be led astray.  Without their shepherd’s care, sheep are in great peril because they are not hunters that can find food, and they are defenseless, making them easy prey for predators.  That’s why the shepherd keeps close watch over his flock to protect and preserve them. When a sheep strays, the shepherd prods them back onto the right path to the fold.  The same is true for God’s sheep. Jesus, the Good Shepherd (John 10:11,14) will prod His wandering sheep, to keep them in His protective care—He will use a “rod” and a “staff” to direct them to walk in the right direction.

A shepherd consistently used both a rod and a staff to protect the sheep each in a very specific way. The rod was used to fight off wild animals, count the sheep, and direct them. A willing sheep would respond to the prodding, but a stubborn, strong-willed sheep would not. Sheep indiscriminately eat just about anything, even if it could harm or kill them. They tend to wander without direction.  That’s why the staff, with a crook at the end, is needed.  The shepherd uses the staff to more strongly exert his authority and to gently, but firmly, pull the sheep back to the fold and keep them moving in the right path. He also uses the crook of the staff to pull the sheep from harm.

Biblical-christianity.com

Having been a shepherd himself, David found comfort and security in God as his shepherd who cared, preserved, and watched over him in the same way he did for his sheep. You cannot drive sheep. Rather the sheep hear the shepherd’s voice and follow him, just as we listen to Christ in His Word and obey Him (John 10:3-5, 16, 27). Jesus called Himself he Good Shepherd who gives His life for the sheep in John 10:11-14.

David knew all his needs were supplied by the Lord. He didn’t desire more. A good shepherd will always supply the sheep’s needs. In the same way, a good father will provide for his child’s every need.  It doesn’t mean that we’ll have everything we want but God will love and provide for us. We live in a society where we tend to think of ourselves as always always needing something more. But the Lord our God is sufficient. With Him, we need nothing else.

“He makes me to lie down …,” Do you know that it’s almost impossible to make sheep lie down while they are hungry? Until they’ve eaten enough they’ll mill around. But when they are full they will be quiet and lie down. So the shepherd makes sure the pasture is sufficient to feed the sheep the nourishment they need.

Some paths the sheep must take are dangerous. So the Shepherd carries his rod and staff.  God guides us on the dangerous roads of life into paths of righteousness. We can trust his leading because He’s our Shepherd and also because His name is on the line. Just as parents are evaluated by the way they care for their children, shepherds are judged by the condition of their flock.

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow.” Notice how the personal pronoun changes from “he” to “you.” David no longer speaks about the Shepherd; he is speaking to the Shepherd. God is beside David leading the way and calming his fears.

The anointing of oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit and it also symbolizes how someday there will be an anointing of believers as kings and priests (Revelation 19:9). It’s customary for people in the Middle East to anoint the heads of their visitors with fragrant perfumes and serve a glass of choice wine, which they fill until it runs over. This act means that they consider their guests are very special.  A cup that is running over could be a symbol of abundance of physical provisions and spiritual blessings. David has experienced God’s abundant grace and fellowship.  God not only walks before us and leads us to a place of rest and refreshment, but His goodness follows us as well.

The psalm says “I will not want.” This means I shall not crave the things of this world, but be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. Paul says in Philippians 4:11-13,“ … for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

A common false belief today is that God is meant to prosper us, but that’s not always the case from stories in the bible. We’re told not to live like the world lives which is always greedy for more material possessions. Revelation 3:15-20 talks of people in a church whose focus was on possessions and not God.  “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”

Jesusplusnothing.com https://jesusplusnothing.com/series/post/psalm23

This imagery of the shepherd and sheep spans the entire Bible but is most prominent in the New Testament where Jesus speaks about His relationship with His people, His sheep. What is characteristic of sheep? They are dumb, dirty, defenseless and dependent. If there was such a thing as animal school, they would be dropouts. If there’s a ditch, they will fall in and need to be rescued. If there’s a wire fence, they’ll get caught in it. And then the same thing will happen tomorrow. They can’t run very fast, don’t have great eye sight, and, being basically defenseless, are timid and fearful. And they’re prone to wander. That’s the animal God choose which best represents us! They need a good shepherd who will provide, protect, and guide his sheep.

David trusted that God would always know what he needed and when to provide it. We often try to work things out in our minds and end up working ourselves into a place of nervous exhaustion! We need to learn to sit back and rest in him in the midst of the problem. This doesn’t mean that things will change outwardly. Most importantly it’s about inward change even if outwardly things remain the same. Mentally and spiritually we can get very tired trying to work out all our problems and we don’t rest. It leads to burn out, break downs and depression. God restores our soul spiritually.

 As you examine your life, what path has God led and guided you through? Was it where you thought you would go? God’s eternal desire is that He his people will display His glory and light within them.  Our lives should be a testimony to God Himself.

The first time through the dark valley is always scary. But it’s there that you learn that though you may not be able to see the shepherd as well as usual,  He can see you and is still protecting you! The subsequent trips through the valley become progressively easier as trust increases. How marvelous it is that weak, fearful people can be given such confidence through trust in the ability of their shepherd! ‘You are with me’ the Psalmist says and that is all that he needs to know.

Nuggetsoftruth.com and parts of whatchristianswanttoknow.com, Note that the parts taken from whatchristians wanttoknow.com is in bold print.

“He leadeth me beside the still waters”. Sheep won’t drink from swiftly running water for a good reason: they are poor swimmers. If their wool coat became soaked with water the weight will pull them under water.

We are all like sheep and sometimes we go astray. We can’t always find the “still “waters.  More often we end up in troubled waters, well over our heads. But we can drink freely from Him Who is the Living Water.

Sick sheep were sometimes restored by using oil. The shepherd brought his sheep into the fold one at a time calling them by name. He thoroughly examined them for thorns, bruises, scabs and raw places. To care for them, he’d pour a healing and soothing oil on the sheep. This “oil” speaks to us of the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

With such poor eyesight sheep must stay close so they can observe and they need to hear him so they can follow him. They learn to recognize the shepherd’s voice and will not follow another voice. We also must stay close to Jesus and take time to listen and recognize his voice and learn to be obedient to his leading and commands. See John 10:27 “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” A sheep without a shepherd is in a very insecure position. “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way;…” (Isa. 53:6). The distance between the shepherd and the sheep determines the potential for danger. The greater distance, the greater danger.

Notice the characteristics of the shepherd which the Scriptures compare to a type of Christ. We see that the relationship between the sheep and the shepherd in the Bible is a picture of the relationship between Jesus and the believer. The shepherd’s care gives us a deep sense of security and satisfaction.

1-A shepherd is compassionate. See Matthew 9:36.When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

2-A shepherd gives gentle care to his flock of sheep. Isaiah 40:11″He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.”

3-A shepherd displays much courage. John 10:11-13. “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.”

Sheep aren’t very smart. They have a predictable inclination to lose their way. They can be in a pasture with plenty of grass and adequate water and still wander aimlessly until they have nothing to eat or drink. Once lost, they can’t find their way back. Many animals seem to have an inborn compasses – but not  sheep. If one gets lost, the shepherd must go and find him. Spiritually, people are like sheep. Isaiah 53:6 “All we like sheep have gone astray..”  We have a profound tendency to desert what is good for us. The grass always looks greener on the other side of the fence. So often we go away from God into sin.

Sheep aren’t always aware of where they are going. In fact, sheep have been known to walk right off a cliff and so the Good Shepherd leads us in the right path, and His path leads to His righteousness. Straying sheep are restored by the rod. The rod us used as protection against the wild animals, but also used as a means to discipline the stubborn sheep (See Hebrews 12:11).  There is a danger in no discipline. So the rod serves at least for two purposes, to keep us from danger and to help develop us.

The staff is sometimes call the shepherd’s crook. The Shepherd’s crook or staff had a bend in it.  This bend was fitted perfectly for bringing in the stray sheep by their necks.  The hook was just the right size to fit around the neck of a large sheep, or around the body of a little lamb.  It was so perfectly shaped that it would never choke the sheep. It was narrow enough to bring the sheep back into the fold in a gentle, loving, yet firm way.  The shepherd would use the staff to draw sheep to him, guide the sheep, or lift a fallen sheep.If a sheep ends up on his back, he could not right himself and would die of starvation on his back.

“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” There’s a valley called The Valley of the Shadow of Death in Palestine. It’s located beyond the hills of Bethlehem and toward the Dead Sea. It was a valley through which all shepherds had to lead their sheep.They named it “Shadow of Death” because the possibility of danger and death was always present when they entered it. When we visited Jerusalem, we traveled on a narrow road that was cut through this valley. Believe me, it is forlorn and scary. One would not want to be there alone. It’s like a little Grand Canyon. In Biblical times,bears, lions, hyenas, and robbers waited in the shadows and caves ready to spring upon the flocks and the shepherd. It was a treacherous valley with perpetual shadows and dangers.

This valley could just as well be named the “Valley of Worry and Fear.” The uncertainty of what they might encounter could very well produce both worry and fear in the hearts and minds of those who entered. But David didn’t worry about or fear this valley. He knew who his Shepherd was and he knew what He was able to do. He knew he wasn’t walking alone. “

Sheep without a shepherd can easily be frightened and startled to death and die of a heart attack but we don’t have to fear evil because we have a good Shepherd. Satan is like a roaring lion who roams around seeking whom he might devour, but Jesus is walking in the shadows with us. Satan stalks and springs on unsuspecting prey. Our daily walk is fraught with trials, troubles, and risks, but Jesus is with us throughout our life.

What is your Valley Experience that is producing worry and fear?

1.  Does your valley cause you to be worried, anxious, afraid, or troubled? God will give you peace.  John 14: 1,17″Do not let your heart be troubled. Trust in God: trust also in Me…Peace I leave with you, My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

2. Does your valley cause you to be worried about the future? God will guide you. (Proverbs 3:5).”I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you” And Psalm 32:8 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight”

3.  Does your valley cause you to be afraid of feeling alone?  God will never leave you. Deut. 31:6 “Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you:”John 14:18″ I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you:”

4.  Does your valley cause you to be depressed? God will comfort you. Psalm 34:18.”The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

5.  Does your valley cause you to worry because you face opposition? God is with you. Rom. 8:31 “If God is for us, who can be against us?”

6. Does your valley cause you to worry about your safety? God will protect you. Psalm 121: 7-8 “The Lord will keep you from all harm; He will watch over your life; The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”

7. Does your valley worry you so much you can’t sleep? God will ease your fears. Proverbs 3:24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when  you lie down,  your sleep will be sweet.”

God is preparing a place at His table for us.  There will be a Great Marriage Supper when we  dine with our Lord on that Great Day of the Wedding Feast. “Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’” (Revelation 19:9).

Sheep are continually moving. They never settle down and stay in one place very long. The word “dwell” means to settle down and be at home. Jesus said, “ In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” The “House of the Lord” is a state of constant joy; no more sorrow, no more separation. It will be for eternity. We’ll be “dwelling in the house of the Lord.” What a happy ending!

My reflections on Psalm 23 (I put the words that resonated deep within me in bold print)

This picture of Jesus being a Good Shepherd is one that really led me to understand the character and heart of Jesus. I was “born again” by reading John 10. I was baptized as a baby, but really didn’t know what I thought about Jesus as an adult. I believed in God, but wasn’t sure if Jesus was really his Son. I read books on New Age and Buddhism which only brought more confusion and doubt. I struggled to understand my King James bible. But one day I dared to come to God personally to ask for his truth to guide me. I decided to seek out and get my answer from the One who is Truth. When I did, I felt guided me to read John 10.

“Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.

Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”The Jews who were there gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”

Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all ; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”

Again his Jewish opponents picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?”“We are not stoning you for any good work,” they replied, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.”

Jesus answered them,  “….. what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’  Do not believe me unless I do the works of my Father. But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.”

When I read John 10 it was like a lightening bolt struck me. I truly could understand how Paul was hit by something like that on the road to Damascus and became a changed man. He was convinced Jesus was the Son of God. He no longer persecuted and killed Christians, rather he became one himself. He even risked his life preaching about Jesus! Something similar happened in me when I read John 10. I was electrified. I knew God had taken the time to speak directly to me. I recognized his voice! And being God, it wasn’t like any voice on earth. From then on I was a changed person. I immediately saw all the sins I had committed in my life and the repercussions of those sins, not only in my own life but also how it had affected others. I had been sorry before, but the enormity of my sin before a holy God become even more evident. It was a life changing experience and I never looked back. This is when I started devouring God’s word like a starving person. I couldn’t get enough. I hungered for God and for his truth. I know God was personally guiding me by his Spirit into truth and a closer relationship with him.

But more importantly I saw the significance of the truth taught about Jesus. I saw why he compares himself to a Shepherd and what he meant by his words in John 10. His sheep from his flock (me) knew his voice. Just like sheep, they will only listen and follow their shepherd’s voice. I love how it says he calls them by name!

In the Bible, there is a reference to God giving us a white stone with a new name: “To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it” (Revelation 2:17). My friend and I both once dared asked Jesus what his name for us was. Ask and you will receive. Sometimes we don’t receive because we don’t ask. So we dared to ask. My friend felt Jesus called her  “overcomer.”  When I asked Jesus what my new name was, I felt like he lovingly whispered his answer to me. I fell to my knees instantly and then I weeped because I heard him call me something I had longed to hear all my life “Jesus’ own.” I had never felt like I was anybody’s “own” special child, least of my mother. I had always felt unwanted. So to hear Jesus call me his own meant the world to me! I even had “Jesus’ own” engraved on an ID bracelet and wore it every day for years.

And I felt such absolute protection from Jesus. In psalm 23 anyone who tried to lead sheep away from the shepherd were compared to a robber who tries to get the sheep to enter by another gate so he can steal and destroy. But Jesus is in the business of guarding his sheep so the robber can never get his sheep. There is such security in knowing that he has my back and is always with me. No one can snatch me from his hand. 

Some denominations, like the one I was raised in, believe they can lose their salvation. So I never felt completely sure if I would ever be good enough to get to heaven. How good is good enough for a holy and all powerful God who I thought expected perfection—no mistakes, no sin, no failure. But I felt Jesus was personally saying these words to me that are in John 10. “I give them eternal life, they will never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.” This also goes along with Isaiah 30:15 In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength. What a rest there is in knowing that no one can snatch me out of God’s hands. No one on earth, including Satan, is powerful enough to fight God.

And the question I had taken to God about whether Jesus was Divine and truly his Son was also answered: “I and the Father are one.” I have never doubted the answers God gave me that day. I truly believe my salvation can not be lost because God not only told me personally in my spirit, but it is backed up with scripture. I’m secure in God’s hand. No one is greater than God and nothing and no one can snatch me from his hands. And when people talk about other ways to heaven, I know there is only one way. Jesus is our Shepherd and he is the “gate” for his sheep. I don’t know if people who are not believers change their minds on their death beds, but I know God has great mercy and grace. I don’t know what happens when a person faces the reality of death,  but I do know Jesus wishes none to perish. I trust God is always at work every moment of our lives to bring us to him and that is my hope and comfort for those who I love who have not accepted Jesus. My faith in Jesus is unshakable after my personal encounter. Oh I’m human and may still worry and sometimes have fear when certain things happen in my life. David sometimes had fear creep up on him too, but in the end, he chose to trust God. I also trust in the nature of my Father who loves me and is with me through all those times I’m acting like a silly fearful sheep.

Phlip W. Keller writes in his book “A Shepherd Looks at the 23^rd Psalm”  that sheep, in order to rest, must be free from fear, tension and hunger. Sheep that are agitated and disturbed can never rest. They are easily panicked by sudden movement and will run. So if they sense the slightest danger they take off. They have to means of defense. And nothing so quiet and reassures the sheep as the presence of their master and protector. Like a shepherd Jesus quiets the fear and terror of the unknown that I have if I turn to him for comfort.

I like how Mr. Keller says the first impulse of the sheep is to run. I can so easily relate to that. Running away is my first impulse too. When I’m not sure how something is going to turn out it gives me a lot of anxiety. But when I turn to Jesus I know that whatever happens he will be there and provide. That does not mean I never worry. Oh how I wish I could say that! But I worry a whole lot less than I used too because I know God has things under his control and he loves me and will be with me no matter what I face. He will never leave, forsake or abandon me. That’s how much I am loved in spite of my many failures and anxieties. What a marvelous God we have! And what a comfort Psalm 23 has been to countless generations.

Another study on God’s Guidance -Not sure who wrote it.

Proverbs 14:12 tells us there is a way which seems right to a person, but its end is the way of death. Jeremiah10:23 shows a the inability of a man to direct his life.“Lord, we know that people do not control their own destiny. It is not in their power to determine what will happen to them.” Because of man’s finite wisdom and ability, his limited understanding of the facts coupled with his sinfulness, man simply cannot direct his steps. Our responsibility, by God’s own direction, is to entrust our way to Him for His direction and leading.

Our primary focus is guidance for our own happiness and fulfillment so life will flow along smoothly.

Whom do I marry? (someone who will make me happy and who is perfect, of course).

Where do I work? (where it will be wonderful, challenging, and financially rewarding).

What car should I buy? (one that never breaks down).

What house should I buy? (one next door to Christians so I won’t have to witness).

Should I go to college, and if so, where should I go? (where I can make all A’s, meet the right person, or get away from mom and dad).

What kind of pastor does God want our church to have? (someone who can walk on water, leap tall buildings, and fly faster than a speeding bullet)

Certainly we should seek God’s guidance and pray about these things. But James 4:15 gives us a warning and says we ought to say ‘If the Lord wills, we shall live and also do this or that’  Paul wrote in Romans 1:10  “and I always ask in my prayers, if perhaps now at last I may succeed in visiting you according to the will of God.” and Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit your works to the LORD, and your plans will be established.”

Our own happiness and the details with which we are so often occupied are secondary, never primary. God’s primary concern is in the realm of the spiritual and concerns the moral will of God or Christlike change.

 THE NATURE OF GOD’S GUIDANCE

    1. It’s divine- The secret of divine guidance is the Guide. There can be no possibility of a mistake.

    2. It’s clear-Isaiah 35:8.In all your ways, acknowledge him, and he will direct your path. The Lord  desires that we know his guidance.

    3. It’s continual- His guidance is for your whole life, until the Lord comes or we go to be with Him.

    4. It’s gradual-A step at a time and a stop at a time; a moment by moment experience of His leading. Sometimes we are aware of it but more often we are not. 

    5. It can be circuitous (not direct or going around)- It can sometimes seem strange to us. An example is Exodus 13:18. The natural caravan route was along the sea coast to Gaza, a comparatively short distance. But the Sinai route was much longer. God led His children by the long way round, and He often does this for our discipline and training. God’s greatest concern for us is the molding of our character (Deuteronomy 8:2-3).

    6. It’s uniquely individualized guidance tailored for each person.  It doesn’t come the same way to everyone. He guided the wise men by a star, but we have no record of His guiding anyone else in this way. He has a specific purpose for each one of His children, and therefore His guidance is adapted to each individual need.

7. It is all encompassing or complete. Every detail is accounted for great and small. No matter is too small, and certainly no matter is too great for us to bring to Him.

Oswald Chambers said,”Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One Who is leading.”

There is a lot of wisdom in a story that is told of the ethicist John Kavanaugh when he went to work for three months with Mother Theresa in Calcutta. She asked him what she could do for him. Kavanaugh,  who wanted to know how best to spend the rest of his life, asked her to pray that he have clarity. Mother Theresa responded firmly. “No, I will not do that.” Kavanaugh was taken aback. She continued, “Clarity is the last thing you are clinging to and must let go.” When Kavanaugh commented that she seemed to have the clarity that she wanted,  she laughed and said, “I have never had clarity; what I have always had is trust. So I will pray that you will trust God.”

Often it will only be as we look back that we see he has been guiding us.”I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle before they will come to you” (Psalm 32:8,9).

https://studyandobey.com/sermons/psalm-23/

Sheep learn their master’s voice. And they learn to follow their own shepherd and not others. Sometimes two shepherds of two different flocks will cross paths for a while. The sheep intermingle behind them as their shepherds chat and walk along the road together. When the shepherds go their own way, their flocks hear the voice of their own shepherd and follow him.

While sheep do learn to recognize their master’s voice, they don’t start off that way. Newborn sheep instinctively follow the flock around them. They go where the other sheep go. Only later on do they learn to follow the shepherd instead. In the world today, people are like sheep. They naturally follow after what everyone around them is following after.

Brothers and sisters, let me tell you, the grass is always greener on the other side. If you aren’t content with what God has given you now, you will not be content in the future either. There are two options when you set your hope on a thing rather than on God: Either you will not get what you hope for so you will be discontent or you do get what you hope for and it doesn’t satisfy you.

David says “He makes me lie down in green pastures.” Why does he use the word “make?” Does the shepherd force the sheep to lay down in green pastures? Sometimes sheep are uncooperative. Sometimes they may want to roam. They may not be interested in going to the pasture or in staying there. So the shepherd has to make them.

I’m reminded of the story of Martha and Mary. Mary was at Jesus’ feet listening to His teaching and enjoying being with Him. Martha was busy working and preparing the meal. She asked Jesus to make Mary help. Jesus told her that Mary was the one doing the more important thing. Sometimes we are like Martha. Almost everyone is busy. There are so many things vying for our attention. Our lives are “go, go, go.” There seems to be so many things to do and so little time to do it.

God doesn’t want us to feel like that all the time. He wants us to enjoy the green pastures and quiet waters and to lay down with no distractions. We’re sometimes unruly sheep and don’t take time off voluntarily. So every now and then he prods us or even makes us. I watched a video of a shepherd forcing a sheep to lie down and it looked really awkward and uncomfortable. While God may do this at times with us, it’s a lot more comfortable for us if we choose to take a rest.

This rest is not just sleeping, but also a time to quiet your heart, and come to Jesus to receive feeding from Him. Tell Him what’s on your mind, meditate on His character, and His blessings. It is a time to “Be still,” like a personal retreat. Prayer, songs of praise, meditation, time in the Word are all good for this personal retreat.

A shepherd may have to lead his flock through dark, gloomy, even dangerous places. David was anointed to be king of Israel at a young age. But even though he had God’s favor, his life was far from easy. Saul attempted to kill David 14 times. David was on the run from Saul for years. He lived in the desolate wilderness. He struggled to have enough food. He had to hide in caves. He pretended to be an insane person in order to save his life. He fled to live with Israel’s enemies.

God loved David. He called him a “man after his own heart.” He gave an eternal covenant to David and his descendants. But didn’t mean that David’s life would be easy. God doesn’t promise us an easy life, a healthy life or wealth. You’ll go through dark valleys. Maybe you’re in one now. It might be physical pain or the loss of a family member. You may be facing discouragement or depression. God doesn’t promise that He will deliver you out of difficulty. But, He promises that He will be with you every step of the way. “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 3:15)

When you face these things, don’t fear them. Don’t turn to the world around you for comfort. Your good shepherd is right there beside you. He is guiding you through it,  if you will follow Him. He cares for you. He will not let one of His promises to you fail. Instead of complaining or getting discouraged, I hope that you will look at things from another perspective. Instead of focusing on the valley of the shadow of death, focus on Christ. Trust Him that He is there with you and will get you through your trial.

SONG: All the Way My Shepherd Leads Me,  Wonderful Merciful Savior, Amazing Grace, Savior Like a Shepherd Lead Me. Come Thy Fount of Every Blessing , I know Whom I have Believed, He Leadeth Me,  God Will Take Care of You, Trust and Obey