Daily Meditations

Psalm 23:5a   Dignitaries at His table      We have not finished with this scene of convivial fellowship at the table of the Shepherd King for He rises from His chair and produces a bottle of fragrant oil. He stands behind me and tenderly anoints my head, a ceremonial act that bestows honour and privilege. It is the oil of joy and acceptance, the oil of welcome and pleasure at my company. It sets me apart and shows my place in the heart of my host! Really! Does my King honour me so? Am I worthy of such acclaim and distinction? He thinks so. Then He refills my cup, the cup of blessing and salvation, He fills it until it overflows with His abundance and I know that I am esteemed and treasured beyond measure. What can I say? I am humbled beyond words and my heart is broken with love. This is no fanciful depiction; the oil is His Holy Spirit that anoints my head and flows down and through to my inner being such that I am filled with joy and gladness and overwhelmed ...

Psalm 23:5   Come and dine      The scene has changed, we are through the valley and no longer out in the fields with the Shepherd, instead we have been invited into the intimacy of a home where a table is prepared and a meal is about to be served. Let’s forget, for a moment, about 21 st  century living with our spacious homes and dining rooms and evening meals and the endless chains of restaurants and cafes available day and night. In ancient times it was a privilege, and something of an event, to be welcomed as an honoured guest into someone’s home, and to sit down and enjoy hospitality and good food. Here the Shepherd King has invited David to His house, to sit down at His table and to enjoy His protection and His generosity. This speaks of friendship and mutual acceptance but also of fortification and safety, for David’s enemies are amassed outside. However, he has no fear of conflict or danger for in this house he is secure and free from assault. ...

Psalm 23:4b   Rod and staff      And so we come to the Shepherd’s equipment – His rod and His staff. The nature and purpose of these tools is not exactly shrouded in mystery! The Hebrew word for rod is  “sebet” . It is simply a short stick, used every day for a variety of tasks including; - counting the sheep, defending the sheep and disciplining the sheep. The rod was always in the shepherd’s hand and always in use. The staff also has a variety of uses, the Hebrew word is  “mishena”  which suggests a support, something to lean upon and trust. The staff had a crook at its end for lifting lambs and pulling a sheep away from trouble. It was also a very basic symbol of authority.  It’s hard to imagine an ancient shepherd going anywhere without these simple tools; the days were long, the dangers existed all around and whilst he had his bare hands, he was more than adequately equipped if he had a strong staff and a stout stick. That’s all he nee...

Psalm 23:4a   You are not alone      We need to stop and mediate for a moment, for the valley is but a shadow. Shadows are sometimes threatening, sometimes they bring comfort, for they hide us from the full heat of the sun. The valley of the shadow of death sounds like a most unwelcoming place doesn’t it? I picture myself in a narrow ravine with towering cliffs on either side. No sun ever reaches this place and the path ahead looks torturous and difficult. There will be many rest spots and yet we must keep moving because loose rocks could come tumbling down those cliff walls at any time and block the way, or worse still injure us. Indeed, to remain here is in itself life threatening. Shadows are reminders that it is still day, that somewhere out there the sun still shines, that there are wider, safer and sunnier places ahead. And so we plod on, the terrain does not improve, the way is difficult and the surroundings are fearsome. Then, one day, we realise that we...

Psalm 23:4    The valley of the shadow      This intense verse of Scripture seems to divide into three parts but when put together they form a remarkable and deeply comforting whole! All of us have walked through dark valleys and many have taken that difficult journey through the valley of the shadow of death. It can be the death of a loved one, a spouse, a child, a parent or a close friend; suddenly that face has gone, the conversations have ended, their presence is no more and the effect can be devastating. We are faced with an empty vacuum and silence and our memories. Loss, regret, anger, emptiness; it’s impossible to describe the depth of the feelings that we have and yet, the Lord Jesus promises that He will be with us. We are not alone. We can hold His hand. He is before us, behind us, beneath us and above us. There is nowhere in this dark valley where He will not be ready to comfort and encourage us. Eventually when we can lift up our head...

Psalm 23:3a   The right path      It has been a recurring theme in my experience recently that the Lord guides and helps me and honours my faith, simply because it is His name that is at stake. Turn this around and it means that we may pray or witness and act in faith because His name will be honoured. It is not our reputation that is on the line but His. And if we constantly find ourselves heading in the wrong direction, taking the wrong paths and listening to the wrong guidance then our faith is going to suffer. Does He want that to happen?  Of course not. The paths that sheep take can be precarious, those tough old mountain ewes seem to be able to go anywhere, without fear, but they are often left to their own devices anyway. The flock that we have joined is not for loners, it is comprised of those who stay together, who stick close to the Shepherd and who are vulnerable without Him and without each other. Be sure that for His name’s sake, He will g...

Psalm 23:3    He restores my soul       Bible commentators seem to be divided as to whether the Lord refreshes or restores our souls. I suppose the two ideas are not dissimilar. Commentators also seem to disagree, amicably, as to whether it is our souls or spirits that get refreshed! Let’s just assume that He does it all – and maybe that’s the point! The Good Shepherd restores and refreshes, He cares for my soul and for my spirit. My inner being is cared for as well as my outer, physical needs. The richness of His pasture, the scope of His tender care, the depth of His compassion and his wisdom and experience mean that I am in the best place, with the best shepherd and nothing I need will ever be withheld.   There is a passage in Ezekiel 34 where the Lord condemns the shepherds of Israel who have prospered at the expense of the care of the flock. The sheep have scattered, they have become prey for wild animals and no one searches ...