by Allen Frederick

Created on: October 13, 2008   Last Updated: February 28, 2010

Perhaps one of the best known, often recited, biblical passages of all time. Often read or quoted at funerals so often some may refer to it as the death psalm, I however believe it is a beautiful psalm about a life lived for the Lord. Let us take a fresh look at 'ol 23 shall we?

THE LORD defining singularity and exclusivity. HE IS THE ONE AND ONLY.. He is not a wannabe LORD.. he is not trying to find himself or make a place for himself. HE IS THE LORD

THE LORD IS. IS means present-NOW happening IT is not WAS LORD.. it is not GOING TO BE LORD.. HE IS LORD! HE IS THE NOW LORD.

MY possessive pronoun taking ownership of.. HE Is not ONLY THE LORD, HE IS NOT ONLY LORD NOW, HE is MY LORD I acknowledge and accept HIM and HIM ONLY.. HE can not be MY Lord along with others either. HE IS THE LORD OF ALL or HE is not LORD AT ALL..

AND IF HE IS MY LORD then HE is also

MY SHEPHERD.. A shepherd leads the flock Heads up, looks out for, stands watch over, protects, guides and directs.. HE IS not only a SHEPHERD but HE is the GOOD SHEPHERD.. He is a good shepherd able to take good care of that little flock..
Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:32 (KJV)
It is GOD'S DESIRE to give you heaven.. HE WANTS to take you there.. HE desires to have you there with him.. HE IS MY SHEPHERD

Now then if all of the above are true, then and only then can we state affirmatively to the rest of this scripture

BECAUSE THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD I WILL NOT BE IN WANT

LACKING ANY GOOD THING

BEING IN need of that which is needful

Finding myself lost and alone

Wanting something we do not have leads us to that place I like to call the land of discontentment.. IT IS there, that we find ourselves feeling lack and fearful and empty.. Keeping our focus on who HE IS and WHOSE we are, should free us from the desire for more, FOR HE IS ALL I NEED and HE is all I am ever going to need.. THAT has to be settled in order to live out the rest of this psalm

HE MAKETH ME TO LIE DOWN IN GREEN PASTURES

Notice HE HAS TO MAKE US LIE DOWN OH.. could this be part of the problem we are too busy being busy and not taking the time to RELAX and TRUST? LYING DOWN requires faith or haven't you ever thought of that.. RESTING is a blessing from GOD, it is a gift.. THERE IS NO REST for the wicked but the Lord gives his beloved rest REMEMBER THE SABBAOTH day and keep it holy.. ISRAEL found themselves in all kinds of bondage by refusing to honor the LORD'S SABBAOTH.. IN FACT the

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