Saturday, August 20, 2005
I Am His, And He Is Mine
This is the first installment of the online bible study I am leading over at Sacred Space For Women. Stop by and join in the discussion. -s.i.
Our study begins in the book of Psalms, a beautiful tapestry of poetry, prayer, and praise. Written by many authors over a period of many years, it is a collective uplifting of honesty and love to a God who delights in hearing it.
Reading through this treasury of wisdom can evoke many different emotions in the reader, and for this reason we are drawn to it again and again throughout our lifetime. We seek its familiarity in good times and bad, and draw comfort and strength from its prose. Often, we enter the verses in one condition and leave in quite another, having had our fill of Living Water to carry us over a few more miles of the journey.
We begin our study in the well-worn 23rd chapter of Psalms. In its simplest form it is comforting, yet as we peel back the layers we find a depth and richness that can easily be missed. For this reason, we will be studying this chapter precept upon precept, in order to spend time soaking into our spirits what the Lord is saying to us as women.
As we rest together beside still waters, may our hearts be fertile ground and our ears be open to what God wants us to hear. He is waiting for us now with new insight and a fresh Word, so be blessed as you spend time in His presence.
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“The LORD is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want.” Psalm 23:1-2
IN THE FIRST CHAPTER of Psalm 23, David finds himself weary after battle. He is examining his broken state while declaring, perhaps in a worn and ragged voice, that Jehovah is His Shepherd and he doesn’t need anything else. Whether David finds himself strong or weak, rested or weary, God is an eternally stable and unchanging force of guidance in his life.
In this declaration, there is no question of belief. There is no undercurrent of “I hope He is my Shepherd”, or (as we girls are fond of saying) “I KNOW He’s my Shepherd, but…” Instead, we find a powerful statement of faith and fact that sets the authority of God firmly in its rightful place. Simply put, He is in charge and we are not. Friend, there is much liberty and freedom in that realization!
Not only is He Shepherd, He is your Shepherd. What beauty and sweetness we find in the word “my”. Dwell on this for a moment: The Holy and Living God Of All Time is YOURS. He is your Emmanuel, your God With You!! He dwells in you and around you and through you and over you! You are your Beloved’s and He is yours!
In “The Treasury of David”, 19th century preacher Charles Spurgeon writes:
“(David) does not say, “The LORD is the Shepherd of the world at large, and leadeth forth the multitude as His flock,” but “The LORD is MY Shepherd; if He be a shepherd to no one else, He is a Shepherd to ME; He cares for ME, watches over ME, and preserves ME. The words are in the present tense. Whatever be the believer’s position, he is even now under the pastoral care of JEHOVAH.” (p 399, vol 1)
There is something powerful about belonging to someone or something. As little girls, we try to fit in with others on the playground. As teenagers, our insecurities can drive us to drastic measures so that we feel accepted by our peers. As women, we are pulled in so many directions that half the time we don’t know what we belong to or what belongs to us. Yet all the while, there is a God who wants to dwell in relationship with us, and who is waiting for us to lay our needs in His hands.
It is easy to read, “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want” as two separate declarations. Instead, it is important to know that BECAUSE the Lord is your shepherd, you shall not want. When you fully permit Him to guide, direct, and lead you, you will find yourself in a valley of Eden-esque proportions where there is perfect provision and contentment.
More importantly, you will find yourself sensitive to the leading of His Spirit, and there you will experience the fullness of the passionate love He has for you. Living under the umbrella of God's authority is the most beautiful example of “His Kingdom Come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.” It can also be the most difficult for us to employ.
As we sojourn together, may you come to a new and transforming knowledge of God as your Shepherd and Perfect Provider. You are not alone, dear one, and there is nothing that you need that God is incapable of giving you. Be blessed this week as you carry forth His Word in your spirit, and know that you are loved and prayed for.
PONDERINGS
1. Is God yours? Are you His?
2. What do you want that you are not allowing God to supply? Do you think He would if you asked Him to?
PRAYER
My God, You are my Shepherd. As a woman, I am called to lead and guide in so many things, yet I forget that the Creator of the Universe tenderly leads me. You are my defender, protector, provider, and sanctuary. Because I dwell in this place, I shall want for nothing. Help me to remember that there is no need I have that You will not supply. May all that I do and all that I am bring You glory and make you proud. In Jesus’ strong Name I pray. Amen and Amen.
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