“The Lord is my Shepherd—I shall not want-He maketh Me to lie down in green pastures. He leadeth me beside the still waters-He restoreth my soul-He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness of His Name's sake”
The greatest single safeguard which a shepherd has in handling his flock is to keep them on the move. That is to say, they dare not be left on the same ground too long. They must be shifted from pasture to pasture periodically. This prevents over-grazing of forage. It also avoids the rutting of trails and erosion of land from over-use. It forestalls the reinfestation of the sheep with internal parasites or disease, since the sheep move off the infested ground before these organisms complete their life cycles.
God wants us all to move on with Him.He wants us to walk with Him. He wants it not only for our welfare but for the benefit of others as well as His own dear reputation.
Perhaps there are those who think He expects too much of us. Maybe they feel the demands are too drastic. Some may even consider His call impossible to carry out. It would be if we had to depend on self-determination of self-discipline to succeed.
But if we are in earnest about wanting to do His will, and to be led, he makes this possible by His own gracious Spirit who is given to those who obey (Acts 5:32). For it is He who works in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13)
Excerpt from “A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23” by W. Phillip Keller
Showing posts with label Shepherd. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shepherd. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
"He Restoreth My Soul" (part 3)
“The Lord is my Shepherd—I shall not want-He maketh Me to lie down in green pastures. He leadeth me beside the still waters.”
We have to be realistic about the life of the child of God and face facts as they really are. Most of us, though we belong to Christ and desire to be under His control and endeavor to allow ourselves to be led by Him, do on some occasions find ourselves cast down.
If I wish to go on walking with God and not be forever cast down, this is an aspect of my life which He must deal with drastically.
Whenever I found that a sheep was being cast down because that too long and heavy a fleece, I soon took swift steps to remedy the situation.
The toughness it takes to face life and the formidable reverses which it brings to us can come only through the discipline of endurance and hardship.
We may rest assured that He will never expect us or ask us to face more than we can stand. He is the Good Shepherd, we can rest assured that he know what He is doing.
This in and of itself should be sufficient to continually refresh and restore my soul.
(Part 1) & (Part 2)
Excerpt from “A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23” by W. Phillip Keller
We have to be realistic about the life of the child of God and face facts as they really are. Most of us, though we belong to Christ and desire to be under His control and endeavor to allow ourselves to be led by Him, do on some occasions find ourselves cast down.
If I wish to go on walking with God and not be forever cast down, this is an aspect of my life which He must deal with drastically.
Whenever I found that a sheep was being cast down because that too long and heavy a fleece, I soon took swift steps to remedy the situation.
The toughness it takes to face life and the formidable reverses which it brings to us can come only through the discipline of endurance and hardship.
We may rest assured that He will never expect us or ask us to face more than we can stand. He is the Good Shepherd, we can rest assured that he know what He is doing.
This in and of itself should be sufficient to continually refresh and restore my soul.
(Part 1) & (Part 2)
Excerpt from “A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23” by W. Phillip Keller
"He Restoreth My Soul" (part 2)
“The Lord is my Shepherd—I shall not want-He maketh Me to lie down in green pastures. He leadeth me beside the still waters.”
One of the great revelations of the heart of God given to us by Christ is that of Himself as our Shepherd. He has the same identical sensations of anxiety, concern, and compassion for cast men and women as I had for cast sheep.
It discloses the depth of His understanding of undone people to whom He came eagerly and quickly, ready to help, to save, to restore.
When I read the life story of Jesus Christ and examine carefully His conduct in coping with human need, I see Him again and again as the Good Shepherd picking up "cast" sheep. The tenderness, the love, the patience that He used to restore Peter's soul after the terrible tragedy of his temptations is a classic picture of the Christ coming to restore on of His own.
And so He comes quietly, gently, reassuringly to me not matter when or where or how I may be cast down.
In Psalm 56:13, we are given an accurate commentary on this aspect of the Christian's life in these words," ...thou hast delivered my soul form death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?"
(to be continued)
(Part 1) & (Part 3)
Excerpt from “A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23” by W. Phillip Keller
One of the great revelations of the heart of God given to us by Christ is that of Himself as our Shepherd. He has the same identical sensations of anxiety, concern, and compassion for cast men and women as I had for cast sheep.
It discloses the depth of His understanding of undone people to whom He came eagerly and quickly, ready to help, to save, to restore.
When I read the life story of Jesus Christ and examine carefully His conduct in coping with human need, I see Him again and again as the Good Shepherd picking up "cast" sheep. The tenderness, the love, the patience that He used to restore Peter's soul after the terrible tragedy of his temptations is a classic picture of the Christ coming to restore on of His own.
And so He comes quietly, gently, reassuringly to me not matter when or where or how I may be cast down.
In Psalm 56:13, we are given an accurate commentary on this aspect of the Christian's life in these words," ...thou hast delivered my soul form death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?"
(to be continued)
(Part 1) & (Part 3)
Excerpt from “A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23” by W. Phillip Keller
Monday, April 30, 2007
"He Restoreth My Soul" (part 1)
“The Lord is my Shepherd—I shall not want-He maketh Me to lie down in green pastures. He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul”
Even the largest, fattest, strongest and sometimes healthiest sheep can become cast and be a casualty. Actually it is often the fat sheep that are the most easily cast.They will lie down comfortably in some little hollow on the ground and may roll on its side to stretch out or relax. Suddenly the center of gravity in the body shifts so that it turns on its back far enough that the feet no longer touch the ground. Now it is quite impossible for it to regain its feet.
In the Christian life there is great danger in always looking for the easy place, the cozy corner, the comfortable position. The time when we think "we have it made," so to speak, is actually when we are in mortal danger of being cast.
During my own years as a keeper of sheep, perhaps some of the most poignant memories are wrapped around the commingled anxiety of keeping a count of my flock and repeatedly saving and restoring cast sheep.
Again and again I would spend hours searching for a single sheep that was missing. Then more often than not, I would see it at a distance, down on its back, lying helpless. At once I would start to run toward it--hurrying as fast as I could--for every minute was critical.
Within me there was a mingled sense of fear and joy: fear that it might be too late; joy that it was found at all.
(to be continued)
(Part 2) & (Part 3)
Excerpt from “A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23” by W. Phillip Keller
Even the largest, fattest, strongest and sometimes healthiest sheep can become cast and be a casualty. Actually it is often the fat sheep that are the most easily cast.They will lie down comfortably in some little hollow on the ground and may roll on its side to stretch out or relax. Suddenly the center of gravity in the body shifts so that it turns on its back far enough that the feet no longer touch the ground. Now it is quite impossible for it to regain its feet.
In the Christian life there is great danger in always looking for the easy place, the cozy corner, the comfortable position. The time when we think "we have it made," so to speak, is actually when we are in mortal danger of being cast.
During my own years as a keeper of sheep, perhaps some of the most poignant memories are wrapped around the commingled anxiety of keeping a count of my flock and repeatedly saving and restoring cast sheep.
Again and again I would spend hours searching for a single sheep that was missing. Then more often than not, I would see it at a distance, down on its back, lying helpless. At once I would start to run toward it--hurrying as fast as I could--for every minute was critical.
Within me there was a mingled sense of fear and joy: fear that it might be too late; joy that it was found at all.
(to be continued)
(Part 2) & (Part 3)
Excerpt from “A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23” by W. Phillip Keller
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
He Leadeth me Beside the Still Waters
“The Lord is my Shepherd—I shall not want-He maketh Me to lie down in green pastures. He leadeth me beside the still waters.”
Sheep, by habit, rise just before dawn and start to feed. Or if there I bright moonlight they will graze at night. The early hours are when the vegetation is drenched with dew, and sheep can keep fit on the amount of water taken in with their forage when they graze just before and after dawn…
The good shepherd, the diligent manager, makes sure that his sheep can be out and grazing on this dew-drenched vegetation. If necessary, it will mean that he himself has to rise early to be out with his flock….
In he Christian life it is of more than passing significance to observe that those who are often the most serene, most confident, and able to cope with life’s complexities are those who rise early each day to feed on God’s Word. It is in the quiet, early hours of the morning that they are led beside the quiet, still waters where they imbibe the very life of Christ for the day.
Excerpt from “A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23” by W. Phillip Keller
Sheep, by habit, rise just before dawn and start to feed. Or if there I bright moonlight they will graze at night. The early hours are when the vegetation is drenched with dew, and sheep can keep fit on the amount of water taken in with their forage when they graze just before and after dawn…
The good shepherd, the diligent manager, makes sure that his sheep can be out and grazing on this dew-drenched vegetation. If necessary, it will mean that he himself has to rise early to be out with his flock….
In he Christian life it is of more than passing significance to observe that those who are often the most serene, most confident, and able to cope with life’s complexities are those who rise early each day to feed on God’s Word. It is in the quiet, early hours of the morning that they are led beside the quiet, still waters where they imbibe the very life of Christ for the day.
Excerpt from “A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23” by W. Phillip Keller
Sunday, October 15, 2006
He Maketh Me to Lie Down in Green Pastures
“The Lord is my Shepherd—I shall not want-He maketh Me to lie down in green pastures.”
Sheep satisfied and well fed. It all denotes my Shepherd’s desire to see my best interests served. His concern for my care is beyond my comprehension, really. At best all I can do is to enjoy and revel in what he has brought into effect.
This life of quiet overcoming, of happy repose, of rest in his presence, of confidence in his management is something few Christians ever fully enjoy.
Because of our own perverseness we often prefer to feed on the barren ground of the world around us. I used to marvel how some of my sheep actually chose inferior forage at times.
But the Good Shepherd has supplied green pastures for those who care to move in onto them and there find peace and plenty.
Excerpt from “A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23” by W. Phillip Keller
Sheep satisfied and well fed. It all denotes my Shepherd’s desire to see my best interests served. His concern for my care is beyond my comprehension, really. At best all I can do is to enjoy and revel in what he has brought into effect.
This life of quiet overcoming, of happy repose, of rest in his presence, of confidence in his management is something few Christians ever fully enjoy.
Because of our own perverseness we often prefer to feed on the barren ground of the world around us. I used to marvel how some of my sheep actually chose inferior forage at times.
But the Good Shepherd has supplied green pastures for those who care to move in onto them and there find peace and plenty.
Excerpt from “A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23” by W. Phillip Keller
Saturday, October 07, 2006
I Shall Not Want
“The Lord is my Shepherd—I shall not want.”
I am completely satisfied with His management of my life. Why? Because he is the sheepman to whom no trouble is too great as he cares for His flock. He is the rancher who is outstanding because of His fondness for sheep—Who loves them for their own sake as well as His personal pleasure in them. He will, if necessary, be on the job twenty-four hours a day to see that they are properly provided for in every detail. Above all, He is very jealous of His name and high reputation as “The good Shepherd.”
He is the owner who delights in His flock. For Him there is no greater reward, no deeper satisfaction, than that of seeing His sheep contented, well fed, safe, and flourishing under His care. This is indeed His very “life.” He gives all H has t it. He literally lays Himself out for those who are His.
No wonder Jesus said, “I am the Good Shepherd—the Good Shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” And again, “I am come that ye might have life and that ye might have it more abundantly.”
Excerpt from “A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23” by W. Phillip Keller
I am completely satisfied with His management of my life. Why? Because he is the sheepman to whom no trouble is too great as he cares for His flock. He is the rancher who is outstanding because of His fondness for sheep—Who loves them for their own sake as well as His personal pleasure in them. He will, if necessary, be on the job twenty-four hours a day to see that they are properly provided for in every detail. Above all, He is very jealous of His name and high reputation as “The good Shepherd.”
He is the owner who delights in His flock. For Him there is no greater reward, no deeper satisfaction, than that of seeing His sheep contented, well fed, safe, and flourishing under His care. This is indeed His very “life.” He gives all H has t it. He literally lays Himself out for those who are His.
No wonder Jesus said, “I am the Good Shepherd—the Good Shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” And again, “I am come that ye might have life and that ye might have it more abundantly.”
Excerpt from “A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23” by W. Phillip Keller
Saturday, September 30, 2006
The Lord is my Shepherd
When this statement is made by a man or a woman, it immediately implies a profound yet practical working relationship between a human being and his Maker.
It links a lump of common clay to divine destiny—it means a mere mortal becomes the cherished object of divine diligence.
This thought alone should stir my spirit, quicken my own sense of awareness, and lend enormous dignity to myself as an individual. To think that God in Christ is deeply concerned about me as a particular person immediately gives great purpose and enormous meaning to my short sojourn upon this planet.
And the greater, the wider, the more majestic my concept is of the Christ—the more vital will be my relationship to Him. Obviously, David, in this Psalm, is speaking not as the shepherd, though he was one, but as a sheep; one of the flock. He spoke with a strong sense of pride and devotion and admiration. It was as though he literally boasted aloud, “Look at who my shepherd is—my owner—my manager!” The Lord is!
Excerpt from “A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23” by W. Phillip Keller
It links a lump of common clay to divine destiny—it means a mere mortal becomes the cherished object of divine diligence.
This thought alone should stir my spirit, quicken my own sense of awareness, and lend enormous dignity to myself as an individual. To think that God in Christ is deeply concerned about me as a particular person immediately gives great purpose and enormous meaning to my short sojourn upon this planet.
And the greater, the wider, the more majestic my concept is of the Christ—the more vital will be my relationship to Him. Obviously, David, in this Psalm, is speaking not as the shepherd, though he was one, but as a sheep; one of the flock. He spoke with a strong sense of pride and devotion and admiration. It was as though he literally boasted aloud, “Look at who my shepherd is—my owner—my manager!” The Lord is!
Excerpt from “A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23” by W. Phillip Keller
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