Psalm 23: The Shepherd Protects

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows.

—Psalms 23:5

What does a ‘prepared table’ bring to mind?

You probably did not imagine a picnic with a blanket on the ground or a hot dog and drink at a ball game. Whether it is a formal or informal occasion, a ‘prepared table’ is one that has been properly set for a planned meal.

To keep this passage in context, the writer is a shepherd yet reflecting on himself as a sheep under the care of the Great Shepherd, God. So, how does a shepherd prepare a ‘table’ for his sheep?

Ancient shepherds would lead their flock to good pastureland. In late summer the pastureland might be in the high mountain elevations. This land was known as tableland, or in our culture, mesas. (Our English word ‘mesa’ is borrowed from the Spanish language; it means ‘table.’)

Before leading his sheep to the tableland, a shepherd would make a trip alone to survey the land. He would determine where the sheep would graze and for how long. He would note water sources and plan grazing patterns accordingly.

He would not simply look over the land from a distance but would walk through the tableland. He would search out poisonous plants and eliminate them. He would also take note of areas where predators would most likely hide. Then, just before leading his sheep to the tableland, he would return to clean leaves and brush from the water source to ensure clean and accessible water.

Because of his careful planning and diligent preparation, his sheep would find safe pasture.

Our Shepherd has already gone before us and has prepared the way. Our enemy, Satan, is ever present waiting for an opportunity when we are weak or wandering. Yet, as long as we remain close to the Shepherd, we will have comfort and bountiful blessings, in spite of the presence of our enemy.

During summertime sheep would often be pestered by flying insects. One particular kind of fly would attempt to lay eggs in the moist mucus around the nose. The hatched larvae could infest the nasal passages of a sheep causing misery. For relief sheep would beat their heads against trees or rocks and rub them in the soil. Left untreated, the larvae could cause blindness in sheep.

The solution: The shepherd would mix a salve to place on the head of the sheep. Or, as the Psalmist wrote: “You have anointed my head with oil.”

Sheep were also treated with oil, even dipped in oil, for a disease called scab. It was caused by a microscopic parasite and was highly contagious. Once contracted it could devastate an entire flock.

How does our Great Shepherd “anoint our heads with oil”? Most likely it is through the Holy Spirit. In baptism we are promised the ‘gift of the Holy Spirit’ in addition to our cleansing from sin. God’s word was delivered through the Spirit. The Spirit also intercedes for us in our prayers. He undoubtedly assists us in ways unknown to us.

As long as we accept his “anointing” we will be free of the parasite of sin and evil. Yet, we are often like a sheep that twists its head refusing the oil. When we refuse the guidance and correction of God’s word or when we refuse to submit to God’s instruction, we have refused his Spirit.

We will find contentment at the feast God provides, but only if we submit completely to God and to His word allowing his Spirit to work in us.

Anything less rejects the Great Shepherd’s protection and is sure to grieve the Spirit of God.

Mark Stinnett

November 24, 2024

Psalm 23: No Fear

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.

--Psalm 23:4

Fear is a powerful motivator often generating a ‘fight or flight’ response. However, there can be such terrible fear that a person is paralyzed. We might call that kind of fear, dread.

Fear drains the emotions, fatigues the mind, crushes the will, and even saps energy from the body. Unpredictable reactions and poor choices are common.

In the 23rd Psalm David described yet another response to fear, but not to fear in general, the fear of evil. The poor economy might shake us up as it threatens our vacation plans, career, or retirement. Health issues can certainly cause fear. We might feel pressures in our home life or at work and, as a result, fear the potential negative results. But evil? Ha! Why fear evil?

In general, people do not seem to fear evil, perhaps out of arrogant confidence, but probably more out of ignorance. We are more like a small child in a canoe idly drifting toward a waterfall not comprehending its devastating power. We prefer not to think about evil and its power in our lives.

Satan does not pound at our door announcing himself and his evil intentions. He is subtle and quiet as he offers enticements difficult for us to refuse. If we would simply reflect on our past, we would acknowledge how sin and evil have had control over us. We should fear evil, and yet….

David wrote, “I fear no evil.” He must have known the terror of evil and its incredible strength. Yet, he had no fear because he took comfort in someone who was stronger and able to provide protection from evil, someone able to provide safety.

The shepherd’s rod was a tool used against predators, but it was also used to discipline sheep. The rod represents God’s protection of his sheep from the evil one.

The Apostle Paul wrote that God would not allow anyone to be tempted beyond what he was able to endure. That tells us that temptations do exist that God knows will certainly overpower us. So, He will not allow those temptations.

Paul also wrote that God would provide a way of escape for the temptations He does allow. So, when there are appealing enticements, we can know that God is confident that we can overcome the temptation. He will provide a way of escape so that we can endure the trial.

The Hebrew writer encouraged Christians to have a good attitude regarding the discipline of God. Though discipline is not pleasant, it is for our good. The purpose of discipline is always to restore. Our Great Shepherd uses the rod of discipline to protect us and restore us.

The staff uniquely identifies a shepherd and is used to lead and work the sheep. The staff is virtually an extension of the shepherd’s arm. He uses it to gently pick up lambs and place them with their mother, to nudge sheep before they can wander off, and even to make simple contact with a sheep. In the latter case it is not unlike a father walking side-by-side with his child. The simple touch conveys safety and acceptance.

The rod and staff together represent the Great Shepherd’s contact with his sheep. Whether through a painful lesson learned with the rod of discipline or the gentle reminder of his presence with his staff, our Shepherd is ever near, protecting, guiding, training, leading, and comforting His sheep in the face of danger. With God as our shepherd, there is no reason to fear evil. We can awaken each day with confidence as he leads us in safety to our spiritual home.

Mark Stinnett

November 17, 2024

Psalm 23: Restoration and Righteousness

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside quiet waters.

He restores my soul;

He guides me in the paths of righteousness 

For His name's sake.

There is a sweet and refreshing sound to the idea of restoration. When friends drift apart or experience friction in their relationship, how wonderful the occasion is when the relationship is restored.

Two college friends are reacquainted after 20 years. There is a warm embrace and the reminiscence of old times. They share stories of family, career, old friends and new, twenty years of life. They are each thrilled to share past accomplishments but also the sorrow and pain of life’s trials. They laugh ‘til they cry as one remembers her own childish immaturity or an almost forgotten embarrassment. Compelled only by time or circumstances, they part company with a heavy sigh...and they both agree, “We can’t let another twenty years pass! We must stay in touch.”

This last statement illustrates the restoration is a new beginning. Realizing this same truth, David begged God to assist him beyond the beginning of the restoration of his soul:

Create in me a clean heart, O God,

And renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,

And sustain me with a willing spirit. 

--Psalm 51

David realized that a clean heart was only the beginning, so also, restored salvation. He needed something that would sustain him beyond the initial cleansing. He needed continued assistance.

The shepherd-king affirms one way in which God assures assistance beyond restoration. In the 23rd Psalm David wrote:

He guides me in the paths of righteousness.

The Great Shepherd understands the human dilemma. He understands that a one-time cleansing is insufficient. So, he leads us on a path that will keep our relationship with him pure.

From the beginning of time, it was God’s intent that mankind walk in righteousness. In simple terms, righteousness is doing what is right. Yet it is a reflection of the very character of God. That is to say that God is, in Himself, altogether righteous. As a part of His divine nature God does not ponder over the meaning of righteousness. He does not try to be righteous. By his own character He is the essence of righteousness.

For God to expect or demand righteousness on the part of man is nothing less than a call for us to be like Him. As the Great Shepherd leads us in the paths of righteousness, He is leading us in such a way that we will mature according to His character. Ultimately, we will, by nature, do that which is good and right, fulfilling the goal of restoration.

He does this for His name’s sake. The simple idea is this: If God did not restore souls, and if God did not lead us in paths of righteousness, then the accusation could be made that He did not care for His sheep. Yet that contradicts His nature of love.

For His name’s sake indicates that His actions have truly preserved His name and His character. He is right in showing mercy and grace, because He is the very essence and definition of love.

People may ponder or wonder about the wrath of God, eternal punishment, and the existence of hell. But no one can possibly doubt God’s compassion and love. He has demonstrated these qualities in His divine character, when...

He restores my soul;

He guides me in the paths of righteousness.

For His name’s sake.

Mark Stinnett

November 10, 2024

Psalm 23: The Shepherd Restores

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside quiet waters.

He restores my soul…

--Psalm 23:1-3

Sheep can wander off from the flock and sustain injury or become easy prey. Another frequent danger for sheep is becoming cast down. A sheep is cast down, or cast, when it lies down to rest and shifts its weight so that it rolls slightly, drawing its feet off the ground. When a sheep realizes this predicament it will panic by working its legs and body in an effort to stand up. If help does not come in time, the sheep will die.

A shepherd is well aware of the dangers of cast sheep and wandering sheep. He constantly looks for signs of trouble. He will look to the sky for signs of circling buzzards whose eyes are also looking for signs...of dinner. The shepherd will frequently count his sheep to insure that none are missing. If there are signs of predators or a missing sheep, the shepherd will immediately go in search of the helpless sheep in order to restore it to the flock under his watchful eye.

There is an interesting human parallel to the sheep that is cast down. The human dilemma is that of being ‘downcast.’ An individual can be going along life’s way only to fall into desperate circumstances: job loss, family troubles, financial stress, frustration with fellow Christians, problems at work, health issues, death of a loved one, etc. These can bring about a loss of self worth, increased anxiety, a sense of lostness, a burden of guilt, or other negative feelings. It is easy to panic and in frustration lash out at friends and family. These feelings can lead a person into a pit of despair and self-pity. Having given up hope some have even given themselves over to a ‘sinning spree.’

Like sheep that wander off, we can easily wander spiritually. There may be no real ‘life drama,’ we simply lose focus on the truly important things, or become distracted by the world. Little by little we veer off God’s path. When we stop and look up, we can be frightened by our lostness.

We are sheep, prone to wander, and easily frightened by the worries of this life. But our God is the Great Shepherd who restores souls.

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A store manager calls over the intercom for the mother of a crying child who has wandered off. Their reunion is a mixture of hugs and kisses along with a tender scolding: “You MUST stay close to mommy,” (hug). “I was worried about you,” (kiss). “Don’t run off from mommy, I love you.”

Love and rebuke in the same breath: Restored.

God warned Israel of the bold and harsh discipline that he would use if they turned away to other gods. Yet with every level of escalating discipline there was tender encouragement promising that He would accept them when they returned to Him. (Read Leviticus 26.)

Jesus seemed harsh when he rebuked Peter: “Get behind me Satan.” He seemed so ‘matter-of-fact’ when he foretold Peter’s denial. Yet, Jesus restored his soul as he commissioned Peter with the task of shepherding His sheep.

The father of the prodigal son represents God. The son was always His son: when he left home, when he was lost, when he returned. We are the son.

Our God is the faithful and loving shepherd who, aware of all external dangers as well as our own personal problems and frustrations, watches over us. He finds us and He puts us back on our feet. Restoration is not about what we do, but about God’s acceptance of us when we are weak and downcast. However, restoration is possible only if we turn to God in humility and faith. Then, we will regain our strength because...

He restores my soul.

Mark Stinnett

November 3, 2024