I apologize that several days have past since I visited my blog-site. I have tried to study a little on this psalm as well as get some much needed rest before I go to work. The graveyard shift is unmerciful in disturbing the normal pattern of sleep in a human. I have been working this shift for over 3 years now, but my body has not adapted well to the change still. This is my final diversion from psalms. I returned to psalm 23 two days later. Seems I skipped a day again. Probably time and tiredness again. Pray that I sleep better. Thanks!
September 2, 2015
Worship:
Lord, You are my praise,
You are my song
And the path that leads me
from all wrong
You are the light that
shows me the way
You are my strength from
day to day
Lord, You are my joy, You
are my life
And the way that leads me
from all strife
You are the truth that
shows me the way
You are my peace from day
to day
Witness:
Every day I chide myself on
the lack of time I have. The sense of rush. Perhaps if I were faster on the
keyboard, it might be a little different. But the Lord has seemed to say: “Slow
down, there is no rush. We will get through this. You have all time in the
world, till I call you home. So relax, I’ve got your life under my control”.
Thank you Lord.
Tonight after I prayed,
which is how I start each night before I sit down to worship and study, I began
to sing some songs that just seemed to come to my mind one after the other. The
first was the chorus to It is Well With My Soul and the second was The
Joy of the Lord is My Strength. I then proceeded to the freezer to get some
ice cream, because ice cream really enhances your worship experience don’t you
know J. As I was heading there a song seemed to form
in my mind and I began to sing. I immediately headed to my computer (after I
got my ice cream!) and started to type the words down. I had the first three
lines sung when I began to type. The rest came after some thought and trial and
error. The words to this short song are above. Perhaps I’ll add some later.
Word:
1 Peter 5:5-7
5 Young men, in the same
way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with
humility toward one another, because,
"God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the
humble."
6 Humble yourselves,
therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast
all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
NIV
|
2He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet
waters,
3he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the
right paths
for his name’s sake.
4Even though I walk
through the darkest
valley,a
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my
enemies.
You anoint my head with
oil;
my cup overflows.
6Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the
house of the Lord
forever.
|
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. A Psalm of David. KJV |
The antidote to suffering
shepherds and scattering flocks is humility. Humility towards each other
because, in spite of a difference in rank (younger, submit to older), in the
end we are all equal in Christ (Gal. 3:28). However, there is one greater than
all and to Him you humble yourself under. When we do this
several things take place. We put ourselves in a place to be lifted up and a
place to cast off. Instead of self exaltation above those who watch over you,
or exaltation by those under your care; you will receive it from God Himself.
Instead of carrying your burdens out of pride, you with humility cast them off
on the One who truly cares for you.
Hebrews 13:17 says:
17 Obey your leaders and
submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an
account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that
would be of no advantage to you.
NIV
So how does submission look
in God’s flock? The shepherds humble themselves before their Chief Shepherd and
follow His example. They humble themselves before God’s sheep and serve them,
not lording over them, but setting an example for them. The sheep humble
themselves before God by submitting to the leading and guidance of His under-shepherd
so that they work with joy and it does not become burdensome.
Now we move on.
No comments:
Post a Comment