St. John's Laurys Station 23rd Psalm

The podcast discusses the 23rd Psalm and its significance. It explores the symbolism of the psalm, highlighting the role of the shepherd in caring for the sheep. The psalm is seen as a source of comfort and assurance, emphasizing God's provision and protection. The podcast also draws connections to other biblical verses and discusses the importance of accepting God as our shepherd. Overall, the message is that God is always with us, guiding and providing for us, even in times of darkness and difficulty. Hello and welcome to God's Care for Us podcast. We are the stewardship team from St. John's United Church of Christ in Laurie Station, Pennsylvania. In this podcast series we'll encourage us on our walk of faith. I am your host Tammy and I'm joined by Mary, Lily, and James. Welcome to our first podcast where we will look at God's care for us through the 23rd Psalm. Mary would you read us a version of the psalm? Sure let's begin by reading the modern English version. The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me besides still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even 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. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. One of the reasons I think that people have connected with this psalm for so many centuries is that it is a pastoral psalm. It leads us into the realm of fields and streams, sheep and shepherds, also prey and predators. Sheep were domesticated from wild Mesopotamian mouflon about 10,000 years ago. They were one of the first animals to be domesticated. They were raised for their meat, their milk, and their skin. So they were important for the survival of people. Sheep are docile. They require a lot of care. So the role of the shepherd evolved to care for the sheep. We will continue looking at Psalm 23 verse by verse. There are six verses beginning with verse 1. The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want. The Lord is my shepherd I lack nothing. The Lord is my shepherd I have everything I need. What this tells us is a shepherd goes before the flock to lead them. And the sheep know their shepherd's voice and will follow. As the shepherd is responsible to provide for the sheep so our God provides abundantly for all of our needs. Verse 2 reads, He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leaves me beside still waters. He makes me lie down in green pastures and leaves me beside the waters of peace. He lets me rest in fields of green grass and leads me to quiet pools of fresh water. In this verse we have imagery of verdant pastures and they're symbolic of abundance and growth. There is plenty of food and rest. The waters in this Bible are calm. Sometimes waters in the ancient world are chaotic. They're symbolic of storms. But here in the presence of the Lord waters are calm with clear fresh water. And this reminds me that sheep are very needy animals and they need to be led. Afraid of moving water if one falls in its fleece could soak up with water like a sponge and weigh it down possibly causing it to drown. So a good shepherd might dam up parts of a moving river to make a place for the sheep to safely get a drink. Also leading them to the fresh green pastures to graze. In the same way the Lord's Word is fresh to us every day. The Lord delights to feed us with fresh pasture which really is His Word. Moving on to verse 3, He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake. He renews my life. He guides me in right paths as He fits His name. He gives me new strength. He guides me in the right paths as He promised. We have a shift in this verse and perspective. No longer are we talking about paths leading to rest, food, and water. Now it's a path of righteousness. The sheep is walking in a way that gives glory to God. The path of righteousness is a following of God's law or as Christians we say the way of Christ. You know I feel that rest is the preparation to fit us for work that is God's work into His service for Him. We do not work to be saved but we work because we were saved. Right and God can restore days and even years that have been lost to sin. This is the greatest evidence of His mercy. Verse 4 continues even 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. Though I walk through a valley of deepest darkness I fear no harm for you are with me your rod and your staff they comfort me. Even if I go through the deepest darkness I will not be afraid Lord for you are with me your shepherds rod and your staff protect me. God's protection is so important for us. Valley passes, ancient valley passes, even modern valley passes are places where prey can be attacked from the hills above. Places dangerous for people by attacks from bandits. Here the sheep knowing the danger proceeds through the shadowed valley confident in the shepherds protection. The heavenly shepherd doesn't always keep his sheep from sorrow but he is with them in their sorrow. This also reminds me of another verse from John chapter 14 verse 27 I'm leaving you with the gift of peace of mind and heart the peace I give is a peace the world cannot give. As we look at verse 5 it says you prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemy you anoint my head with oil my cup runs over. You spread a table for me in full view of my enemies you anoint my head with oil my drink is abundant. You prepare a banquet for me where all my enemies can see me you welcome me as an honored guest and fill my cup to the brim. Well for most sheep the presence of an enemy means that you fight or you flight you you stay and fight or you run you have adrenaline rushing in your veins the last thing on your mind is hey let's grab something to eat but in the presence of the Good Shepherd the sheep is completely secure even with an enemy present baring teeth and growling the psalmist is confident in the Lord's care the Lord's protection sits for a meal the anointed head a sign of joy overflowing cup a marker of abundant blessing. As Christians too we can think about we relate this to the Lord's Supper in the presence of an enemy with death drawing near Jesus had the disciples sit and share a meal. Yep the Shepherd supplies all our needs in the presence of our enemies one day God will call us to his supper in his kingdom we shall lay down all our swords and sit down with him all enemies are gone forever remember heaven will be a happy place. You know if we look at Revelations chapter 7 verse 16 to 17 it says and I will give a shortened version they will never again be hungry or thirsty they will never be scorched by the heat of the sun for the lamb on the throne will be their shepherd he will lead them to springs of life-giving water and God will wipe every tear from their eyes. Lastly verse 6 says surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Only goodness and steadfast love shall pursue me all the days of my life and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for many long years. Goodness and love unfailing these will follow me all the days of my life and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long. Verse 6 is like a conclusion it follows logically from the experience of the psalmist the Lord guided the psalmist to green pastures and still waters provided security even in the presence of enemies what can become what what can happen to this psalmist now the past is a preview of the future the psalmist sure that God's steadfast love will never part so in response to God's goodness and mercy psalmist pledges worship in God's house forever. Let's look at Ephesians chapter 6 verse 11 where it tells us to put on all the armor that God gives you so you can stand firm against all strategies of the devil. Well in conclusion guys we may now have a better understanding of this psalm as we have heard it so often in the past this psalm reminds us that in life or in death in time of plenty or want God is good and worthy of our trust we have all experienced God's provisions yet we fall into doubt and fear because we have loss or hardship he never leaves us he remains our Good Shepherd leading us through the darkness and into the light. Is he your shepherd? Is Jesus your Savior? One of my favorite souvenirs from the trip overseas is a small stuffed animal sheet fluffy it is that I keep on my bookcase and reminds me of who I am and how desperately that I need that we all need the Good Shepherd. Like the psalmist we too find hope and comfort in accepting the Lord as our shepherd. Thank you for joining us in this podcast. Tune in next time as we explore God's care for us through the Lord's Prayer. Peace be with you. Until then have a good night. Shalom.