The Lord is EVERYTHING to His sheep

Take a good long look at one of the most commonly known psalms. A psalm that is normally quoted during very hard times. Psalm 23…

 v.1- THE LORD is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack. 

Can you think back to a time before you gave your life to Jesus that you thought that you NEEDED certain things? Things that you didn’t think you could do without? Or maybe there is still something in your life that you think you’re in need of. Until we come to the point of totally giving Jesus everything and letting Him control every area of our life, we will not have that complete contentment of Him being our all and not in need of anything.

 v.2- He makes me lie down in [fresh, tender] green pastures; He leads me beside the still and restful waters.

There have been times in my life where I have come to the end of myself and just throw up my hands knowing that I am not in control. Sometimes God forces us to take time to be still and rest in Him. This verse describes what shepherds sometimes have to do to sheep when the sheep continuously keep going away from the rest of the herd. They have to break the sheep’s legs and they lay them near still waters so they don’t keep wondering off. See, sheep tend to be very sensitive and get frightened easily. Still quiet waters calm them down. The same holds true with us. This world is filled with pleasure that can harm us and we can easily get off track. The discipline of a broken leg could come in many forms like loosing a job or getting sick and having to stay in bed. Anything that will calm your spirit so you can take a step back and look at what really is important in life. That is where you SHOULD find that He is all you need.
 
v.3- He refreshes  and  restores my life (myself); He leads me in the paths of righteousness [uprightness and right standing with Him--not for my earning it, but] for His name’s sake. Many times, I find it necessary to get away for a while. Especially if you are in ministry bearing the burdens of many, it can take a toll on your spirit. We need that time to get away and get refreshed spiritually so we can be fit for the spiritual battle. At times, we need to stop, be still, and get back to the basics. To get reconnected, getting some council or guidance on our walk with Christ and take a look at what it is all about. Its all about Jesus. That is putting us on the right path and its for His names sake.
 
v.4- Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me. I don’t know about you but I can easily be controlled by my feelings. Sometimes I get depressed on cloudy days where there is no sunshine at all. All that you see are dark gray clouds all around. Then there are times we face even more desperate and stressful times than the ordinary cloudy day. In this life you will have trouble, Jesus says. Know this, the trouble we face, no matter how difficult, it is only a shadow. That thing in your life that feels like it will have the end of you is not real, Its only a shadow. It’s the dark gloomy cloud hovering over your circumstance maybe whispering lies of discouragement into your ears but, its only a shadow. Jesus says we will have trouble in this life but He also says take heart because He has overcome the world – John 16:33

 v.5- You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my [brimming] cup runs over. 

When the Lord takes us through rough times, it is a time of tremendous growth… That is if we allow it! During the trial, which is adversity, He prepares us for what is ahead in our life. Count it a joy when you fall into various trials, because it is those trials that test your faith, which produces the fruits of the spirit. – James 1:2. It is an anointing that falls on us and fills us up. His spirit working that into our lives, and His Spirit is more than enough!

 v.6- Surely or only goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and through the length of my days the house of the Lord [and His presence] shall be my dwelling place. 

The end result is His goodness and His mercy is for us forever! We take joy in His trials, in His rebukes, in His correction. We take joy in it because we know that His purpose for it is for our good. He never disciplines His children just for the sake of discipline but for the purpose of us coming nearer to Him. To be in His will. Psalm 37:4-6 says “Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday.

See, His will never changes! Its us that change. In this beautiful Psalm 23 it shows how we go through testing’s and trials but these are only shadows of death. It isn’t the real thing! We can rest in that beside those quiet waters and in the wide open fields basking in His presence if we so choose to. And through all of that we begin to change and become closer to Him knowing His will. Then we begin to desire the things which He desires. We begin to love the things that God loves and hate the things that God hates.

Today, whatever your facing… happiness, joy, sadness, gloom, despair, or even mourning of a lost loved one, these times will pass by. We can find complete satisfaction being content in Him knowing that He has us covered. He will protect us and love us through these times. Try and look to see what can be learned by this and how you can just rest in Him.

-Doug McGowan