April 2. 2017

Background Scripture: Psalms 23 Devotional Reading: Isaiah 40:1-11

When I saw our background scripture for this week was the 23rd Psalm,

I thought to myself, What can I possibly say about one of the most-quoted

and deeply-loved scriptures in the Bible that hasn’t been thought and said many

times?

 

Even people who do not count themselves as Christians may be familiar

with it. For many of us, it holds a special place in our memories. Throughout the

world millions are also familiar with the beautiful song “The Lord’s Prayer” by Alfred

Hay Malotte.

 

Unfortunately, not as well-known is another Malotte composition, “The 23rd

Psalm.”

 

These two scriptures are the two bestknown in the Bible. Just as Malotte’s

“Lord’s Prayer” is a beautiful and model prayer, so the 23rd Psalm is a beautiful

and model affirmation of faith.

 

Quite often, when I am in a disturbing or threatening situation and there is no

one to hear me, I sing it to marshal my faith.

 

If my situation seems precarious, I sing it with all the volume I can muster. More

than a few times it has helped me to weather a tying or dangerous situation.

(The more “trying,” the louder I sing!) So, what is it about the 23rd Psalm that

we find so reassuring? For one thing, the psalm is quite specific about the kind of

deity our God is and how He relates to us. The Psalmist tells us God’s relation

to us is like that of a shepherd to his sheep.

 

And the Psalmist’s description of that relationship is unparalleled in the Bible.

There are 15 references to “shepherd” in the New Testament and all

are positive. It is a most positive analogy because the shepherd not

only watches and herds the sheep, he protects them with his own

life, he takes them where they will prosper and he searches

for them when they stray.

 

As someone once told me, “If people think being a good

shepherd is a snap job, it is evident they know nothing about

the work of the shepherd with his flock.”

 

Troubled waters

 

We also see God as our Protector: “He wakes me lie down in green pastures, he

leads me beside the still waters, he restores my soul. He leads me in the paths

of righteousness for his name’s sake.

 

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for

thou art with me’ thy rod and staff they comfort me” (23:2-4).

 

As the shepherd leads his trusting flock through the darkest of valleys, so God

will lead us – yes, though some dark, threatening places, but the divine power

of the Good Shepherd is greater than the dark negativity of Evil.

 

One of Martin Luther’s enemies chided him: “When the whole world turns

against you – Church, State, princes, people – where will you be then?” Actually,

most of us will never know a time when the whole world turns against us,

but even if it is just a few people who do, still it may feel like “the whole world.”

Luther’s reply is as applicable to us as it was for him: “Why, then as now,” he

replied, “in the hands of Almighty God.” That is one of the great assurances

of the 23rd Psalm: “I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (23:6).

 

The Rev. Alton H. McEachearn, a Baptist preacher, makes a unique comment on Psalms 22, 23 and 24: Psalm 22 is a song of deep anguish. Psalm 24 is a hymn of triumph. The 23rd Psalm is “a bridge over trouble waters, joining the two.”

 

McEachearn also calls attention to another subtle touch:

 

In verses 1-3, God is expressed as “he.” “He makes me lie down,” “he leads me

beside still water,” “he restores my soul,” “he leads me.” But in 23:5, God becomes

a “thou” – “thou art with me,” “thou prepares a table before me,” “thou annointest

my head with oil.” When someone walks with God, the “He” often becomes

a “Thou.”

 

Shepherds, too? 

So, as the divine host, as the one who walks the dark, dark valleys with us,

God cares for us, provides for our need, guides us, searches for us, feeds, comforts

and protects us. He is truly the Good Shepherd.

 

We may rest with the Good Shepherd and form an unbreakable bond, but it

doesn’t end there. If God has been our Good Shepherd, are we not obliged to be

good shepherds as well?

 

Has the Good Shepherd not shown us the way?

 

Lots of people could probably confess that they do not know how to love, especially

if those whom they are called to love appear to be congenitally “unlovable.”

That is when we are likely to protest: “I don’t know how to love that kind

of person!”

 

But theologian Paul Tillich has said: “There is no love which does not become

help.” So we may think we do not know how to love in those circumstances, but

all of us do know, if we want, how to help. I remember the dark, dark, early days

of World War II. Yet, dark as they were, at least for the duration people found

enough faith, hope and love to get through the days. When King George

VI of England was making a broadcast to his people and an anxious world, he

quoted the words of M. Louise Haskins in her poem “The Gate of the Year.”

“And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year: ‘Give me a light that I

may tread safely into the unknown.’ And he replied: ‘Go out into the darkness and

put your hand in the Hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer

 than a known way.’”

 

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and

not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for

Rev. Althouse may write to him in care of this publication.