This week, I’m looking at familiar passages to consider how we understand and interpret them. First, we looked at Philippians 4:13 (What “All Things” Can We Do Through Christ?). In short, “all things” has much more to do with endurance than performance, and the focus is on God’s will, not our desires. Next, we turned to Matthew 5:44 (“Love Your Enemy” – What Does That Look Like In Real Life?). It’s less important to identify our enemies than it is to love them. After all, we’re also to love our neighbors; basically, we need to love everyone.
Today, we’re shifting gears a bit as we look at Psalm 23. Like our other passages for this week, it’s very familiar to us. Sometimes, however, familiarity causes us to forget depth and meaning. So let’s try to look at Psalm 23 with “fresh eyes” to see what it might say to us today. To do that, I want to use two translations. The NASB gives us what I believe is the best “word-for-word” translation of Scripture. The Message is at the other end of the spectrum; it strives to provoke the same sort of response in modern readers that the original languages did in their time.
New American Standard Bible
The Lord is my shepherd, I will not be in need.
He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.
He restores my soul; He guides me in paths of righteousness for the sake of His name.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Certainly goodness and faithfulness will follow me all the days of my life, and my dwelling will be in the house of the Lord forever.
The Message
God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing.
You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction.
Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I’m not afraid when you walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd’s crook makes me feel secure.
You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing.
Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I’m back home in the house of God for the rest of my life.
God Leads Us to Peace
Our world is becoming more divided, and more anxious, than ever before. One big reason is the prevalence of social media. At its best, social media helps us to stay connected with family and friends. My “Friends list” includes people from high school and college, family members, and those I served with in 25 years in pastoral ministry. I appreciate the ability to stay in touch with people I’ve known all around the world.
But at its worst, social media feeds anxiety, bitterness, and anger. My Facebook feed is littered with advertisements for items that “someone” thinks I need. I have friends from every part of the political spectrum; that means that I also see sponsored posts that can best be described as “rage bait.” I recognize that content for what it is, but I fear that many people accept such posts as “truth.” On top of that, more “regular” media has become overtly partisan. The “news” doesn’t tell us just what happened; it tells us how we should feel about it. No wonder anxiety, anger, and division are so prevalent!
So what does hope does Psalm 23 offer in such a world as this? First, the psalmist reminds us to take heart in the fact that God is our shepherd. The Bible does not use this imagery because sheep are cuddly and loveable; it’s because sheep are pretty dumb. They need to be led! “All of us, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the Lord has caused the wrongdoing of us all to fall on Him” (Isaiah 53:6). “Our own way” leads us to trouble. God’s way leads us to peace.
God Leads Us to Restoration
First, following God’s way means that we don’t need a thing. He leads us in green pastures – that’s what sheep eat. He leads us beside quiet waters; that’s what sheep drink. But “quiet waters” also means peace. We don’t have to wade into a waging stream to quench our thirst. But God’s provision is not simply for our physical needs. He restores my soul.
God also brings us peace. The Biblical concept of peace includes wholeness and health. It comes from “righteousness” – being in a right relationship with God and with each other. He guides me in paths of righteousness means more than just showing us how to “be good.” It means that God leads us to restoration and reconciliation. That’s the exact opposite of what so much of the world does!
God’s Presence Drives Out Fear
Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I’m not afraid when you walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd’s crook makes me feel secure. I’ve been privileged to travel to a number of other countries over the past 25 years – Russia, Kenya, Brazil, and several others. Because those have been mission trips, we did not travel to the typical “safe” tourist areas. But I can honestly say that I was never “afraid” on those trips, because I knew I was exactly where God wanted me to be.
Now, hear me on this: being where God wants us to be does not mean that we are exempt from pain or even death. The Apostle Paul was where God wanted him to be, yet in 2 Corinthians 11 he lists a number of dangers and trials that he faced: beatings from the Jewish leaders; beatings from Roman authorities. Stoned by an angry mob and left for dead. Shipwrecked three times. “In dangers from rivers…robbers…my countrymen…the Gentiles…in the city…in the wilderness…at sea…among false brothers.” Clearly, God’s presence is not a physical “force field” that protects us from all danger! (2 Corinthians 11:23-29).
But no matter what Satan may throw at us, nothing can separate us from the love of God (Romans 8:38-39). God’s presence brings peace, because we know that He is in control!
God Leads Us Home
Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I’m back home in the house of God for the rest of my life. Above all, God’s presence and God’s leading reminds us that we are at home in Him. God created us to be in relationship with Him. From the beginning, God’s desire has been to dwell with His people. From His walks in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve to the Tabernacle and the Temple, God wanted to be with His people. In the person of Jesus, God came to be with us. And as Revelation tells us, God’s plan will be fulfilled when He dwells among His people forever.
But here’s the thing that ought to bring us both hope and peace: God lives with us right now! Jesus promised His followers the Holy Spirit, to be both with us and in us (John 14:17). The Holy Spirit leads us in the truth, and empowers us to become more like Jesus. We’re at home in the house of God, and God is at home in us!
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