Psalm 23 in 2007

One of the best things I have done is to memorize Psalm 23. It is not very difficult to commit to memory and, if I'm wanting to impress someone, I can say I've memorized a whole chapter of the bible (all six verses)! Anyway, back to the point.

I often pray Psalm 23 as a way of focusing on God above my current circumstances and this morning as I prayed the Spirit whispered to me. It happened at the point where David writes, "He makes me lie down in green pastures." For a sheep lying down in green pastures means a state of contentment. There's plenty of good food and there are no predators to be concerned with. The shepherd is on watch and the sheep can eat, rest and be content.

This isn't new but like some sheep I have a bad tendency to think that the grass is greener on the other side of the fence! Philip Keller talks about this in his book "A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23". He had one or two sheep that, regardless of how good Keller's pasture was, the sheep would go to the fence-line and try to feed on the other side. The irony was that the neighbor's pasture was usually in very poor condition, so the sheep was eating poor grass while standing in a rich pasture. Keller finally had to sell the sheep because it was beginning to lead others to do the same and the results were not good. Discontent apparently is contagious.

If I am not careful I can fall into the same attitude (it's painful to admit that scripture refering to believers as sheep is way too accurate!). When I am struggling I tend to think that I need to get away and find that green pasture. I see the good things going on elsewhere and find myself envious. And when I do, the results are not good.

This morning the Spirit whispered to me that the Shepherd will give me the green pasture here, where I live, if only I will pay attention. The promise of green pastures and still waters and right paths and the Shepherd's presence in the darkest of valleys depends not upon my geographical location. It depends upon my Shepherd. It is his responsibility to take care of the sheep. It is his promise that must be kept. It is his reputation that is on the line. My job is to trust him.

Now circumstances can be very difficult and should not be denied. The problem is when I let my circumstances divert my eyes to "greener pastures" instead of looking to my Shepherd. If I am not careful it becomes a habit to look elsewhere and a season of discontent will set in. And where there is discontent there is stress, lack of joy and lack of peace. In other words it robs me of my relationship with my Shepherd. Of course letting circumstances turn my eyes to the Shepherd can become a habit, too.


If you find yourself in a difficult time let me encourage you to be honest about that, resist the temptation to focus on "greener pastures" and turn your eyes to the shepherd. Memorize Psalm 23 and begin praying through it. See if the Shepherd doesn't meet you, too. That's why he is called the Good Shepherd!