tablets of human hearts

The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.
(Psalm 23:1, NLT)

Although Christmas is over and most mangers have been tucked away into attics or closets until next year, it seemed fitting, with the first words of this Psalm, to revisit the manger and those who appeared on the scene. Specifically the shepherds.  I love how our Savior’s birth was not announced in Rome or even in Jerusalem.  But in the fields.  Not to an emperor or a king.  But to common shepherds.   When I think about it, its really not that surprising for shepherds to be the ones first blessed to hear good news of great joy.

Because the Psalm says the Lord is my shepherd.

And Jesus called himself the Good shepherd.

I asked myself, then, what does it mean to be a shepherd and is it important to understand how that image relates to our God?

The problem is, I’ve never been around sheep or know any shepherds.  So how can I understand this concept better?

Today, of course, the answer is the internet.  Using our good friend Google, I decided to ask a question: What are the specific tasks of a shepherd?

An article came up in Christianity Today titled: The Surprising Truth About Shepherds, An excerpt from Margaret Feinberg’s latest book, Scouting the Divine
She provides several pieces of insight. First, a shepherd pays attention to the well being of his sheep, watching for weakness or illness and keeping an eye out for those prone to wander.  A shepherd also leads his sheep rather than pushing them because pushing sheep creates anxiety and fear.  And finally, a shepherd knows there is safety in the flock and keeps them together, especially when danger is present.

Bible History Online also popped up and provided an extensive list under the Manners and Customs section.  One thing stood out for me; shepherds have tender hearts toward their sheep. A good shepherd always puts the well being of his sheep above his own.   He cares for sick sheep, often using olive oil as ointment for many ailments, carries them in times of need and protects them from danger.  A shepherd knows his own sheep and can pick them out.  The shepherd may even have special names for them.  And the sheep know their shepherd and will respond to his call.

If you’re familiar with the gospels, especially the book of John, then you know Jesus called himself the Good Shepherd.  He takes some of the very attributes mentioned above and applies them to himself.

As I look at the fact that the Lord is my shepherd, then I can say my Father knows me.  He calls me by name.  He knows whether I’m prone to wander.  He knows my weaknesses.  He knows when I need to be carried.  He watches out for my safety.  He leads and expects me to follow.

But, do I know His voice?  Have I spent enough time with Him to recognize when He speaks to me?  When He leads, do I follow?  Do I trust him to take me to good places?  Or do I try to find my own way?

I’m sure there are so many other things I could learn if I could watch a shepherd with his sheep.  Maybe one day, instead of relying on the internet search function, I will find a shepherd, with some sheep, and do some first hand investigating for myself.

And one day we will see our Shepherd face to face.  Revelation 7:17 says “For the Lamb on the throne will be their Shepherd. He will lead them to springs of life-giving water.”

I want to follow Him then.  So I need to learn to follow now.

Prayer, Good Shepherd, You give me rest, strength, protection, and blessings beyond measure.  Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life,
and I will live your house forever. 

Grace & Peace

My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
Why are you so far away when I groan for help?
(Psalm 22:1, NLT)

These words were made famous by Jesus, as he hung, dying on the cross.

So often I have heard it taught that God abandoned Christ at that moment on the cross.
Abandoned him because of the sin of the world he bore. Abandoned His one and only Son because God cannot be in the presence of sin.  (I wrote about this topic in an earlier blog, on Psalm 10).

But might Christ have been doing something more when he cried out to God?  Instead of merely crying out in the midst of the pain and suffering, might our Christ, who was always purposeful in every action, even to the end, have also cried out the beginning of this Psalm for a specific purpose?

For those who spend time memorizing, whether Scripture, songs, poetry, or lines in movies or tv shows, there is an interesting phenomena that takes place.

One only needs to hear the first few words to recall the memorized piece.

If I were to say “Romeo, Romeo,” you, once a student of high school English literature, might continue “wherefore art thou Romeo?”  If you’re pretty good, you might go on to say “Deny thy father and refuse thy name.”  And if you’re that kind of person, you might even entertain us with the entire scene.

Or if I were to sing “”Hello darkness, my old friend.”  You might just start singing along  “I’ve come to talk with you again.” (Simon and Garfunkel, “The Sound of Silence”)  Okay, maybe not, because those who know me, know I can’t quite carry a tune.

And one only needs to hear a few words to recall a scene or episode of a favorite movie or tv show.

“Beam me up, Scotty.”
“Elementary my dear Watson.”
“There’s no place like home.”

Likewise, when Jesus uttered those words from the cross, those present who were schooled in Jewish text, would also know the next line, “Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer.  Every night I lift my voice, but I find no relief.”  And, having memorized, prayed, spoken, and sung the Psalms, they would more than likely know the entire Psalm.  The Psalm might begin with a lament of abandonment, but it does not stay there.  The Psalm talks about the experience of one who is scorned, mocked, surrounded, and beaten down.  It cries out for God to save. It talks about God’s holiness and his trustworthiness to rescue.  And then proclaims that God “has not turned his back on them” but rather listens and responds.

The Psalm carries us through a wide spectrum of emotion and, like a great symphony, carries us to the crescendo of  great victory, satisfaction, rejoicing, and even of feasting.

Indeed the Psalm ends with “His righteous acts will be told to those not yet born.
They will hear about everything he has done.”

And isn’t that the case?  We know the words Jesus cried out on the cross.  We know he died and was buried.  But we celebrate because he was raised from the dead on the third day (see 1 Corinthians 15:3-4)

Indeed, as Jesus spoke these words, he knew how the Psalm ended and he reminds us to remember: the cross is not the final word, because in the end the victory belongs to the Lord.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for reminding me as You hung on the cross that evil did not have the final say.  That we are not abandoned.  That you hear our cries and You have provided the victory in Christ.

Grace & Peace

How the king rejoices in your strength, O Lord!
He shouts with joy because you give him victory.
(Psalm 21:1, NLT)

As I thought about this verse, I was coming up empty with what to write.  I read it.  Reread it.  Read the entire Psalm.  But nothing came.

Then I read it in another translation. Interestingly enough, the ESV says “in your salvation how greatly he exults!”  So I investigated further.  The KJV and NASB also use salvation, as do many others.  And, thanks to the wonderful world of the internet, I was even able to see the hebrew word and how it was translated.  Salvation.  But the ESV, NIV and some of the other translations use victory. One translation even uses the word deliverance.

How curious for some of the translators to choose the word victory.  But seeing both victory and salvation used interchangeably created a connection for me.

Because isn’t that what salvation is? Our victory?
We’ve come to think of salvation as being “saved.”  At least I have. The plan of salvation. Jesus is my Savior. He died for my sins. So I am saved. I have salvation.

But do I think of salvation in the context of victory?

To be saved is to be set free, liberated, delivered.
To have victory is to triumph, to conquer, to win.

Both assume a battle.  And the Psalmist shouts with joy because the Lord has given both salvation and victory.

The soldier stood, breathing heavily, face dripping with sweat, and probably blood as well.  The battle raged on every side, filling the air with a cacophony of death.   A blazing sun sank lower in the sky, pulling the day’s heat and stench with it.   Surely as night fell, they would fall also.  It was inevitable.   They were a pitiful army.  It was surprising they had lasted so long.  They were weak.  And ill-prepared for this mighty adversary.  They held inadequate weapons; wore inadequate armor.   And were sorely outnumbered.   A sure victory for their enemy.   While their numbers dwindled, their enemy’s kept coming.  An unending river of death.  Unquestionably unfair.  But here they were, fighting for all they were worth.    And it wasn’t much, what they were worth, because they were being crushed.

The soldier hefted a sword.  It felt heavy.  Too heavy.  But light faded quickly and soon their would be none to see by.  Another enemy soldier advanced.  The soldier took a deep breath and stepped forward.

That’s when she heard it.  Clear.  Pure.  Echoing across the surrounding hills.  The long sweet call of a horn.

She paused, as did her opponent.  And their eyes lifted to the hills.

There, on the ridge line, stood another army. Powerful. Mighty.  Beautiful.   Where did it come from?  In the golden light of the setting sun it swept down the hillside and plunged into the battle.

The soldier stared, amazed, eyes wide, mouth dropping open.

They were saved.

Their enemy melted before this new challenger.  She watched as they were struck down, overwhelmed, defeated.  Such was the number of their deliverers, it did not take long.  As sun slipped below the horizon, the last of their enemies fell.

For a moment, in the grey of dusk, the battlefield fell silent.

Then, in one voice, in one sweet, exceedingly glad and grateful voice, they cried out in a shout of victory.

Prayer  
Heavenly Father,  You give us salvation and victory.   Let us not forget.  Our enemy is defeated.  Let us raise shouts of joy.  Let us always celebrate your mighty acts and great power.  

Grace & Peace