Being a Sheep - and Loving it! (Psalm 23)

The world may say that you should be a goat rather than a sheep (a stupid follower), but I revel in being a sheep, because I have the most loving, most powerful Shepherd looking after me.

Jesus used the analogy of Him being a shepherd to His sheep (us!) often, as it was familiar to people at the time. It's less familiar to us now living in this modern world, so we may need to reflect on what a shepherd does for his sheep a little more. 

A sheep doesn't have much in the way of natural defences - ie. no sharp claws or teeth or venom, and if living in the days before farming, fences, and fewer wild animals, relied on a shepherd for safety. A good shepherd will lead his sheep to good grazing areas for food, and to fresh water, and he will protect the sheep from wild animals that try to harm it. For example, David was a shepherd, and this is what he said about protecting the sheep under his care:

"Your servant [ie. David] used to keep his father's sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth;" (1 Samuel 17:34-35)

This is still what Jesus (the Good Shepherd) does for us (His sheep) today - He nourishes us both spiritually and physically and protects us from all harm.

The popular Psalm 23 describes the above beautifully. Although you may be very familiar with the words, it is a short, powerful prayer that is worth reading and reflecting over slowly. The Psalm is in blue, with my comments in-between:

Psalm 23

The LORD is my shepherd; 

I shall not want.

[I am a sheep and the Lord is my shepherd. He is so good to me because He provides everything that I WANT in life - not just what I need. I shall never go without because He is my provider.]

He makes me to lie down in green pastures; 

[My shepherd will lead me to all the good places, and direct me to the good things in life (for a sheep, green pastures are good places full of food), all I have to do is just relax and follow Him. I don't have to worry or be stressed. (A sheep who is not afraid of being attacked by wild animals can lie down.)]

He leads me beside the still waters. 

[My shepherd will provide me with water so I will never be thirsty. The waters are still and peaceful, and I can relax and not worry.]

He restores my soul.

[My shepherd cares for my spiritual needs, too. He has repaired my broken and sinful spirit. He looks after me completely.]

He leads me in the paths of righteousness

For His name's sake.

[I follow Him trustingly; He directs me on the right path.]

Yea, 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.

[I never have to be afraid of evil or of anything or anyone, for the Lord is always with me. He protects me from all evil and from anything that wishes to attack me. (A shepherd carries a staff as a weapon against wild animals.)] 

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

You anoint my head with oil.

My cup runs over.

[Yes, I may have enemies in life, but the Lord is always with me and even prepares good things for me in their presence. The Lord will provide, and I will have good things, so much in fact that my cup is not big enough to hold all the blessings, even in the midst of troubles.] 

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

All the days of my life;

And I will dwell in the house of the LORD

Forever.

[Wherever I go in my life, goodness and mercy shall be on my tail, hunting me down and following me - I can never escape from the Lord's goodness and mercy! The Lord has a place for me in His house right now, and forever!]




Looking around...

My mum said this to me tonight! I was thrilled at it. She got it from a Pastor Prince sermon she heard recently:

"Look inside and be depressed
Look outside and be distressed
Look at Christ and be at rest!"


AMEN :) 


Prayer to Overcome Fear - 2 Timothy 1:7

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

2 Timothy 1:7

If you suddenly feel afraid, or are plagued by doubts, stress, etc. this one-line prayer is really handy and powerful. When we are afraid, it can be difficult to just stop being afraid on our own accord. Often if we tell ourselves (or someone tells us) - stop being afraid, or there's nothing to be afraid of, etc., often this doesn't really help, even if we logically know our fears are silly (or we just want to calm down). So we need something more powerful and reassuring than that, and this verse is perfect.

In 2 Timothy 1:7, God is telling us that He did NOT give us a spirit of fear. Our spirit is NOT a fearful spirit. Instead, our spirit is powerful. Our spirit is one of love. And our spirit has a sound mind - that means those crazy, silly, insecure fears and thoughts that may enter our mind is NOT the real you.

I really recommend memorising this simple, one-line verse, and the next time you are caught in fear, pray it out loud (or under your breath if you're in public!) and keep repeating it over and over again until the fear leaves you. And while you pray, imagine your spirit as a powerful spirit, a loving spirit, and a spirit with a sound mind that doesn't succumb to irrational thoughts.

(Then, once you have calmed down, if the situation is appropriate, pray to God for protection!)




Prayer is the answer to every problem in life

YH fowarded me this quotation that was published in 1965. I thought it was lovely and positive, and very apt at describing the Power of Prayer!

"Prayer is the answer to every problem in life.
It puts us in tune with divine wisdom which knows how to adjust everything perfectly.
So often we do not pray in certain situations because from our standpoint the outlook is hopeless.
But nothing is impossible with God.
Nothing is so entangled that it cannot be remedied.
No human relationship is too strained for God to bring about reconciliation and understanding.
No habit is so deeply rooted that it cannot be overcome.
No one is so weak that they cannot be strong.
No one is so ill that they cannot be healed.
No mind is so dull that it cannot be made brilliant.
Whatever we need or desire, if we trust God, He will supply it.
If anything is causing worry or anxiety, let us stop rehearsing the difficulty and trust God for healing, love and power."

Unknown author, Review and Herald, October 7, 1965. 


Fear Not, the Lord is on Your Side - Psalm 118

If you are feeling afraid or fearful, or have something challenging to do and feel like you are facing it alone, firstly, know that you are not alone, and take strength in the knowledge that God is on your side, fighting for you. 

It also helps to read and pray some relevant chapters in the Bible, such as Psalm 118. I especially like verses 5 -6:

I called on the LORD in distress;
The LORD answered me and set me in a broad place.
The LORD is on my side;
I will not fear.
What can man do to me?
(Psalm 118:5-6)

The Lord answers you when you are distressed, and He is on your side. You need not fear what man will do to you - you have the greatest, the strongest, the most loving being, your Creator on your side, fighting for you!

Even long ago, this was the case. King Hezekiah said these words to his men before battle -

“Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid nor dismayed before the king of Assyria, nor before all the multitude that is with him; for there are more with us than with him. With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God, to help us and to fight our battles.”

(2 Chronicles 32:7-8)

These words can still hold true today - your challenge may be like the king of Assyria and his multitudes... but you have the Lord on your side, and that is MORE than all the multitudes!

Psalm 118 (extract)

5 I called on the LORD in distress;
The LORD answered me and set me in a broad place.
6 The LORD is on my side;
I will not fear.
What can man do to me?
7 The LORD is for me among those who help me;
Therefore I shall see my desire on those who hate me.
8 It is better to trust in the LORD
Than to put confidence in man.
9 It is better to trust in the LORD
Than to put confidence in princes.

10 All nations surrounded me,
But in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.
11 They surrounded me,
Yes, they surrounded me;
But in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.
12 They surrounded me like bees;
They were quenched like a fire of thorns;
For in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.
13 You pushed me violently, that I might fall,
But the LORD helped me.
14 The LORD is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation.




Trust in the Lord - Proverbs 3:5-6

Another of my favourite verses is Proverbs 3:5-6. It is also good to memorise and use as a prayer for many different situations, eg. when you feel uncertain, are trying to make a decision, or when you get frustrated with how things are turning out in your day or life. If you are the sort of person who deals with situations like traffic jams by reasoning that the Lord is delaying you for a good reason, then this prayer also helps. 

Proverbs 3:5-6 is also a wonderful prayer to say in the morning, especially on days you face something challenging (like a new situation or difficult task). As you pray the words, feel yourself relaxing and trusting in Him, and know with confidence (and joy!) that He will direct everything you do that day, and that it will turn out well. 

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.

This version is from the New International Version (NIV), and I like it over other versions simply because I prefer the wording. Also, the NIV version of Proverbs 3:5-6 is written on our little stone tablet that is propped up against the wall next to our coffee machine, and I read it as I wait for the coffee. It is a great prayer to say every morning just to worship the Lord.




Comfort for Aging

This verse is from the New Century Version, and when I first heard it I felt really emotional. The words from our Heavenly Father are so comforting and warm and speak to the fear of aging and being alone.

I have carried you since you were born;
I have taken care of you from your birth.
Even when you are old, I will be the same.
Even when your hair has turned gray, I will take care of you.
I made you and will take care of you.
I will carry you and save you.

Isaiah 46:3-4 

(New Century Version)