Week 1 - Psalm 23:1

3/23/2020

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(Some of this content is taken from the study guide. For more in-depth personal study download the study guide here: STUDY GUIDE )

Psalm 23:1
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Many times, we think about God in awe-inspiring terms (which we should). He is creator, sovereign, Lord, and so on. But as Matt pointed out, “shepherd” does not inspire awe so much as nearness and care. It communicates a level of intimacy that God has with his people.

How does the idea of God as your shepherd add to your understanding of who God is? What implications does this aspect of God’s relationship with us have on our lives?

John 10:7-11
7 So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

One of the characteristics Matt pointed out is that the sheep that belong to Jesus hear his voice and follow wherever he leads. But Jesus is not the only voice we hear in our world today. There are many different things vying for our attention. Matt specifically mentioned three examples: our personal desires, culture, and relationships.

What are some of the things you tend to look to as a shepherd other than Jesus? How do these things rob joy and life from you and leave you wanting?

How are the struggles associated with this current pandemic revealing some of the false shepherds you look to?

How is Jesus the only good Shepherd who can give life and cause us to say “I shall not want”? How ought the reality behind the phrase “I shall not want” transform our lives and relationships? How does it affect the way we face the current difficulty our world is in?

25 Comments

Renee Stebbeds

3/24/2020 10:46:02 am

In thinking of the Lord as my shepherd I see Him in my minds eye laying across the entrance to the sheep pen so as to protect from any predator coming in or sheep going out. I understand as the shepherd his willingness to do whatever it takes to protect his sheep even if it means breaking one of their legs because they continually stray but then carrying them on his shoulders until they heal...spending so much time with the shepherd that they respond to no other voice....

Sadly, though, it seems that the voice I listen to that steals my joy the most is my own...In believing the lies (the many voices) of the enemy I have developed patterns and made decisions that have left me wanting over and over again....for the wrong things....listening to the lies and repeating them to myself.....

What I have found, thankfully, with this pandemic situation is while I am listening to what we are being told to do and complying, I am not in fear. The Lord has brought me to a place as he has led me over these years where if all else fails, and it will, He still remains.
We, as his sheep, will always have a shepherd although I am missing the company of the other sheep.

In thinking of the first verse, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want”...I think this....If I am “wanting”, then is the Lord truly my shepherd? Not because of anything lacking in Him but because I am looking to other “voices” to lead me...I pray other voices become so faint that His is the only voice I hear and respond to as a sheep who has been and continues to be protected, fed and led by our good shepherd.

Eric Rossmn

3/24/2020 06:04:34 pm

"Sadly, though, it seems that the voice I listen to that steals my joy the most is my own"

I think this is true for a lot of us. I once heard a pastor say that nothings robs joy from you as much as you do. We trade Creator for creation, and often that is trading God for ourselves. And in that we trade that which can give us life and joy for that which cannot.

"What I have found, thankfully, with this pandemic situation is while I am listening to what we are being told to do and complying, I am not in fear."

So encouraging when see something that may have caused anxiety or despair in us in the past not have much hold on us now because of the gospel. I also find this to be an ongoing battle and why we need the gospel daily. Some days I face really difficult things with tons of joy and faith, while other days the same thing brings panic to me. I think another sign of growth in us, is how we respond when that fear comes back. To we keep diving into it or go to the promises of God in the gospel?

3/24/2020 06:25:09 pm

Thank you Eric.

Richard

3/25/2020 05:02:27 pm

"where if all else fails, and it will, He still remains."

What a wonderfully stabilizing thought, isn't it? Thank you, Renee! And to think that He remains with good and gracious intentions towards us, too!

The gospel shows us the heart of God towards us, even in the midst of great catastrophe and "squeezing" of the soul. "Indeed, he who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all - how will he not also, along with him, freely give us all things?" (Romans 8:32)

Toni Muller

3/28/2020 08:43:56 pm

This is beautiful and true, Renée. I particularly like how you point out that what seems like something bad (breaking a leg) is actually for the good of the sheep. We definitely need God's perspective and not our own. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and your heart with us.

Joyce Lanz

3/24/2020 02:39:03 pm

Jesus is the only Shepherd I can trust because he knows I need rest in a cool, calm and refreshing place. He is the only one I can put my hope and trust in that he will lead me literally toward "water of stillness" whose quiet flow calms me as opposed to the boisterous streams on the one hand and offensive and stagnant pools that we face every night as I turn on the Television to hear about the most darkest and trying time the whole world is facing in our lives . The other Shepherds do not provide me with this rest and calm because they have not taken a pledge as Jesus the good Shepherd has pledged in these words "For His Name Sake" Jesus the good shepherd because of His name and regard for His perfections pledged for His people will never ever let me down while other shepherds and leaders will fail most certainly.

Eric Rossman

3/25/2020 02:44:14 pm

Thanks for your response Joyce! Hope you are doing well. I would also add to what you said that the false shepherds do not provide for us because they are powerless to do so. I like that you shared of Jesus the good Shepherd leading us to water. It is incredible to think that Jesus actually represents both things in the picture. He is the Shepherd and he is the water. He leads and protects, as well as gives life and refreshment.

James Brown link

3/24/2020 04:54:06 pm

Question1a: Anything that would get my eyes off Him and on other things. There is a difference between things that distract me from Him and things that are my responsibilities that must be seen to and completed. When I do get my eyes off Him I have this promise. "Let us [me] therefore, as many as be perfect [Strong's 5046; complete; Colossians 2:10], be thus minded; and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal [Strong's 601, Spoken of things revealed by God, i.e. taught, communicated , made known, by His Spirit and influences] God shall reveal even this unto you." Philippians 3:15. If not in Christ, not a new creation, haven't come to believe the gospel [1 Corinthians 15:1-4 for this "dispensation of the grace of God " Ephesians 3:2] they will not have the ability that is only in Christ. 2 Peter 2 may apply to this question and answer, you decide.

Question 1b: It can only rob my joy if I allow it to be robbed by neglecting His Word or failing to believe what He has said to me by His Word. As far as losing "life" that is impossible being in Christ; see Ephesians 1:3-14. Please take the time to read and reflect on this passage; there are more, One of which would be 2 Timothy 2:12. It is a believers responsibility not only to know what they believe but why so as to be a good ambassador [2 Corinthians 5:17-21]

Question 2: see passage 2 Corinthians 11:13-15. This will not be possible for the man of God to fall for if they have understood, believed and obeyed the direction Paul gives us in Ephesians. 6:10-20.

Question 3a: I am not a sheep nor an Israelite to be shepard-ed, I was Gentile, made a new creation [2 Cor 5:17] in Christ. "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me ["Christ in you the hope of glory" Col 1:27, 3:3 "hid in Christ in God."] See Eph 1:20-23, 4:15-16, 5:23; Col 1:18, 2:10 [some versions use a lower case H]. Christ is the Head of the body, of which being in Christ [Ephesians 2:5-10] am a part.

Question 3b: "but my God shall supply all your [my] needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19. That being true then I can say with conviction "If I don't have it I don't need it." Where does Paul write to us concerning these things? See Eph 1:3, 2:6, 3:10; Phili 3:20-21; Col 1:5, 12-13, 3:1-4.
As to relationships this: Romans 13:10. Some will say 1 Corinthians 13 where Paul writes of love. To me this is God using the believer and through the believer loves others. Left to my self that is so very very far above me. But I can as in Romans 13:10 [paraphrasing] "Always looking to an another's highest good".

We need to think in eternal terms always. Ephesians 6:7-10, but to emphasize verse 10: "As we therefore have opportunity, let us do good unto all (men), especially unto them who are of the household of faith." I will not force conversations, actions to be preformed by myself but am learning how to hear the Spirit prompt when He would have me to speak, act, go. That is where Proverbs 3:5-6, 1 Thess 5:17, Phil 4:6-9 should be applied.

Stephanie Bolme

3/25/2020 07:12:47 am

I’ve been a shepherd, albeit not in the Middle East sense - although sometimes during kidding season it sure felt like I was living with my goats. :D I was responsible for making sure my goats had enough food and water. I was responsible for making sure they were safe. When there was a problem, I was responsible for finding a solution. Their job was to rest in my care.

They gave me such a beautiful example of doing just that. They didn’t fret all day, hoping the hay would be put out and they’d get their turn on the feed stand. They trusted that I would do my job. What amazed me was how this trust held even when I had to do unpleasant things in order to make sure they had what they needed. This was especially true of does that I had to assist in giving birth. I was adding to their pain, but they didn’t turn on me. In fact, the does that required assistance tended to form an even stronger bond with me afterward.

It’s the Lord’s job to take care of me. It’s my job to rest in His care. If there’s anything I tend to look toward instead, it’s financial provision. I haven’t really been worried in this pandemic, even when I got sick (which, by the way, I am better – and leaning toward thinking it was the flu, not COVID based on my recovery time and never getting shortness of breath). We are doing very well here sequestered on our farm. But Mark is blessed with a job that easily allows him to work at home. His job isn’t at risk. Should the Lord decide to change that, and we are no longer financing comfortable, will I take my does example and draw even closer to Him? I pray should that day come, I will.

3/25/2020 09:38:28 am

Stephanie,
What a beautiful picture. Thank you for sharing.

3/25/2020 02:38:58 pm

What a great example to share Stephanie. Also, glad you are feeling better! We are leaning towards thinking our kids just had the flu as well, Kari and I still haven't gotten whatever they had.

3/25/2020 04:57:13 pm

"It's the Lord's job to take care of me. It's my job to rest in His care."

What a great thought! Thank you, Stephanie.

Yes, the Lord has promised to take care of us, even through the darkest valleys, and we can lean into him when we cannot see well.

Thanks for the encouragement!

3/28/2020 08:55:13 pm

Thank you for sharing your experience with your goats. It gave an additional understanding to me. Thankful to hear that you are on the mend!

Jessie Litchfield

3/25/2020 07:54:56 am

Looking at this verse made me realize I used to think the “Lord is my shepherd” was a choice I was making and “I shall not want,” was a directive I was going to will myself into following. So when I was looking at my “shepherds” this week I kept seeing my trust in my own capabilities.

I share in the joy of others in that I am not living in fear, but like Eric pointed out the need for the gospel is a daily thing as these “other shepherds” in our world are removed (financial certainty/entitlement- where I live/my ability to plan).

The Lord is my shepherd, because he rescued me from the domain of darkness to the kingdom of his beloved son. I shall not want, because in him every need is met. (“The LORD knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile. Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours.” 1 Corinthians 3:21-22)

The implications of Jesus as our shepherd gave me such compassion this week for those who do not know this shepherd, for those overwhelmed by fear. I also felt tearful joy at watching God’s provision unfold in my life and the lives of other believers (physically/emotionally and spiritually).

“No storm can shake my inmost calm
While to that refuge clinging

Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth
How can I keep from singing?

I lift my eyes, the cloud grows thin
I see the blue above it

And day by day this pathway smooths,
Since first I learned to love it,

The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart
A fountain ever springing

All things are mine since I am his
How can I keep from singing?”

3/25/2020 02:35:32 pm

"The implications of Jesus as our shepherd gave me such compassion this week for those who do not know this shepherd, for those overwhelmed by fear. I also felt tearful joy at watching God’s provision unfold in my life and the lives of other believers (physically/emotionally and spiritually). "

I have had similar feelings. Most of my family are not believers and I see them responding in fear and feeling overwhelmed. That also makes me hopeful that this situation is causing them to question their lives and their beliefs. I have had a few encouraging interactions because of this, and am hoping for further opportunities to share my hope with them.

3/25/2020 04:55:23 pm

I love the lines from that song, Jessie! Thanks for sharing.

Steve and Laurie Christianson link

3/26/2020 11:30:08 am

1. Steve made the point that Jesus is the Good Shepherd- there are bad shepherds who can lead astray and not care well for the sheep, but our Savior always leads us perfectly. For me, the idea of the Shepherd makes me think of attention to detail. God as Creator points to the enormity of the universe, His power, His creativity, His greatness. But as I think of Him as my Shepherd, I am reminded that He is the God of every detail in my life, who has numbered the hairs on my head and cares about every aspect of it.
2. The voice that tends to shout the loudest for me is the voice of fear- fear of loss of approval, of good health, of financial resources, and on it goes! It is a work of faith for me to quiet that voice and re-focus on the Good Shepherd
3. Both of us have realized how easy it is to depend on our financial resources. We have been blessed to never have to wonder where our next meal will come from. We have never been in a situation of persecution. We have found ourselves at times riding the up and down wave of the hemorrhaging or recovering of the stock market numbers. This study is hopefully going to help us to think about how we cannot make God's gift of finances into an idol.
4. I am still trying to put together the two concepts 'I shall not want' and 'I can't pay my bills'. As I ponder what Christians have gone through over the course of time, there is the reality of suffering, hunger, persecution, and death for the faithful. But Jesus asks, "What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and yet loses or forfeits himself?" My greatest need is proximity to and intimacy with God, and, that has been met! I can weep, lament, and grieve what is going on in this sin-sick world, even to the point of death, but my Good Shepherd will still be here, and His love will never fail. I pray that the Lord, through this pandemic, will cause those who never would have cared anything about Him to begin to ask questions of their friends, relatives, and neighbors which will result in the salvation of many!

3/28/2020 09:57:12 am

"I am reminded that He is the God of every detail of my life...and cares about every aspect of it."

I find that this dual reality of God's sovereignty and His care for me is very comforting. Even when He has ordained suffering for me, it will produce "an eternal weight of glory that far surpasses these temporal afflictions", and not only that, but He is with me, grieves with me through the pain and loss, and has even entered into this suffering through Christ Jesus. Wow!

"My greatest need is proximity to and intimacy with God, and that has been met"

What a promise! We are never alone and this is not the final chapter! Thank you, Laurie. I am looking forward to the New Heavens and New Earth where we will dwell in His presence forever without suffering.

Jared and Holly Falk

3/27/2020 09:02:19 pm

When I think of "I shall not want" I am not sure you are not supposed to actually not want things. I think that where Jesus leads you is like when a shepherd leads sheep to a good pasture, those sheep should not want to be in a different pasture. The sheep can want different things to graze on than other sheep, but those sheep must be satisfied with the pasture that the shepherd leads them to. We are where we are because, as followers of Christ, God has us where He wants us. And He is sanctifying us through our suffering and through our trials and though we may want to have a different circumstance, we also know who our Shepherd is and commit to following Him regardless.
We can always cry out to God to deliver us from whatever situation we are in, yet we still must trust Him as our shepherd. David constantly cried out to God to deliver him from situations, but always trusted God's plan.

We pray that through these trials people throughout the world would question their mortality and come to know Jesus through the proclamation of the gospel.

3/27/2020 09:38:44 pm

Hey guys, I think you give some good insight into the phrase "I shall not want". I view it as meaning that when the Lord is our shepherd we shall not be ruled by want. So often our lives can be ruled by the want of things. Our wants for things other then God end up dictating our actions, the way we spend our time, energy, and resources. It is fine to want things, but they become idols when we are ruled by the want of other things.

This is why I think that the reality of what David says here when he says "I shall not want" is an incredible reality that only the gospel can create in us. It leads us to look to give in our relationships rather than consider how relationships can give us what we want. It transforms our schedules, because our schedules are no longer ruled by want. It transforms our thoughts to be thankful, praising God, and at peace.

Thanks for your post. I think you make a good distinction that it is not about not wanting anything. Rather it is about the contentment found in Christ, like you described, that those wants rule us less and less.

Karan Malpass

3/29/2020 06:54:52 pm

" I think you make a good distinction that it is not about not wanting anything. Rather it is about the contentment found in Christ, like you described, that those wants rule us less and less."

This is my desire, to be ruled by my wants less and less because of a greater and growing love for the greatest provision of all, Christ himself!! I long for the day when my heart will be overflowing with the fullness of joy when I see him face to face. But until that time, my desire is to grow in joy at his continual provision of grace today. What a faithful shepherd we have!!! There is none like him.

3/28/2020 09:15:01 pm

Seeing the Lord as my shepherd means that I can trust him to know and do what is best for me (note that I do not always choose to trust him in this way) and you and the entire universe. As Renée and Shannon have mentioned, sometimes shepherds must do what seems painful for the good of the sheep. I don't always like what is good for me and have recently found myself telling God that I really didn't like the story He has been writing for me and my family. But what do I really know since I am just a sheep? I find my truest peace and joy when I not only accept but rejoice in His shepherding.

My life hasn't been too affected yet by the pandemic. I don't expect my job to be affected. But I have thought about what might happen if I were to get seriously ill and die. What would happen to my kiddos, especially my son? And I have to trust that God is a better shepherd than I could be and that if he brings me home, He will take care of them. Since neither of my kids is walking with Jesus, the worst thing I could see happening would be to lose one of them, something I could endure only by His grace. Thankfully, I don't live in fear of this - it's just something I have thought of with the pandemic.

Richard Roberts

3/29/2020 04:08:20 pm

"I find my truest peace and joy when I not only accept but rejoice in his shepherding."

What a true statement, Toni! Sometimes that is so hard, with the weightiness of suffering in this world. And I love that the Shepherd is so patient with us, "since I am just a sheep"! He knows and knows what He is doing.

"On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand" is one of my favorite hymns because of these types of reminders: "when all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay."

Thanks for sharing, Toni!

Sheri

3/30/2020 01:29:32 pm

Aloha all, I am l a little behind. It is truly only by His grace that I can trust Him to be my Shepherd. When I think on that word, shepherd, I think of strong love and care. I think of the cost of a shepherd to protect his sheep. I think of a safe place, a refuge. How often my Shepherd's voice is quiet and the voice inside me is louder and then the world has a loud voice. Often times I do not listen closely enough to His voice and it is then that trouble befalls me. The Lord is opening my heart to the truth of His love and care for me. I have a hard time believing Jesus loves me the way He does. This verse reminds me that He does love me and is my Refuge, my Salvation. This rights my perspective and helps me to draw closer to Him and His Word. Oh Lord help me in my unbelief for Your glory and my good!

3/30/2020 02:06:43 pm

Sheri, it is great to "hear" from you!

Thanks for sharing! Sometimes it is difficult to believe that Jesus loves us so greatly, isn't it? I think that's usually the case because we don't love like that, our love is conditional and has limits that are based upon our own comfort or reputation or other people's respect. "In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins."(1 John. 4:10)

Week 1 - Psalm 23:1

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