Written by,
Robert Johnson
The sheep must always depend on the Shepherd, there must be complete trust in the one that will lead the sheep to green pastures – There is something very important here, there will be the element of surprise that will cause distraction which will cause the sheep to not focus on the Shepard. “Not this time!”
Our focus in this blog lies within the 23rd Psalms –
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. The first line suggests that the Lord will fulfill all of our needs and desires. As the psalm goes on for verse after verse, we sense that the shepherd’s goodness toward us is growing more and more generous—to the point of overflowing.
In green pastures he gives me repose; beside restful waters he leads me; he refreshes my soul. He guides me in right paths for his namesake. The good shepherd wants us to experience a profound sense of inner peace and refreshment because he is watching out for us.
Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side with your rod and your staff that give me courage. All of a sudden, we leave behind the “he” language: “he leads,” “he refreshes” and “he guides.” And we begin to use “you” language: “you” are at my side,” “your rod” and “your staff” give me courage. It’s no longer “he” and “me,” but now “you” and “me.” The shepherd has become most intimate with the sheep—an intimacy that grows ever stronger.
It was I became a “you” sheep that my emotions are no longer ties to this world and my completed trust is in He that is leading in the path of righteousness!!!!
At this point, there are no distractions, no games, no one in the way because I am a you sheep. Below is what a you sheep receives!
You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows – as a you sheep I am a witness
The good shepherd becomes the greatest of hosts, showing us two wonderful signs of hospitality: He spreads a rich table—a banquet—before me. Then he anoints my head with oil, and my cup overflows. The Lord’s generous hospitality grows ever more abundant. As Christians, we see in the richly spread table a foreshadowing of the Eucharist and of the heavenly banquet.
The Apostle Paul is a great example of the text – the abundance of revelation was overflowing in his life – he could plainly see the enemy an remove himself from there emotions – even when they hit him in the mouth, he still offered them Jesus – he wanted them to see the truth as he had –
Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life; And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for years to come. We move from the experience of our present lives into what we call the heavenly Kingdom, “the end times” or “eschatological times”—the era of peace or salvation that we all seek.
May we find the peace we long for in our hearts.
Turn with me to the Book of Acts chapter 23 – we will find Psalms 23 in action in the life of The Apostle Paul –The Book of Acts Chapter 23:1-11 KJV
1 And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.
2 And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth.
3 Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?
4 And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God’s high priest?
5 Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.
6 But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.
7 And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided.
8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.
9 And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees’ part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God.
10 And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle.
11 And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome – “Not this time”
- See these same folk killed Stephen – he died!!!
- The Book of Acts chapter 14 KJV
19 And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead – “Not this time!”
20 Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.
Make sure the enemy knows, not this time! In order for Paul to do what God ordained life life to do, he had to be attacked a left for dead. Some scholars denote, Paul jumped up from the dead and begin running and preaching the gospel – a table of revelation was placed before him – the number of souls being saved where done before those that stones him. “Not this time!”
