Introduction
The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) Hymnal number 822; the number 902 of the sacred songs and solos reads:
1. My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’
blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
Refrain:
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand:
all other ground is sinking sand;
all other ground is sinking sand.
2. When darkness veils his lovely face,
I rest on his unchanging grace;
in every high and stormy gale,
my anchor holds within the veil. (Refrain)
3. His oath, his covenant, his blood,
support me in the whelming flood;
when all around my soul gives way,
he then is all my hope and stay. (Refrain)
4. When he shall come with trumpet sound,
O may I then in him be found:
dressed in his righteousness alone,
faultless to stand before the throne. (Refrain)
Where is your anchor?
Where is your hope?
Where is your trust?
Time changes, so is man; nothing on earth is eternal. When considering man’s quest, desire and crave to be fulfilled, be satisfied and accomplished, the path we take and where we pitch our tent is of utmost importance. The Psalm of David number 23 has six verses.
It is one of the most favourite Psalm in human history unlike most of David’s Psalm, which are full of complains; this Psalm is full of comfort and expression of delight in God’s great goodness and dependence upon him. No man who depends on God is ever put to shame.
The Psalm shows that God Is My Shepherd ‘Jehovah Rohi’ (Psalm 23:1).
In Psalm 80:1, God is depicted as the Shepherd of Israel’ who leads Joseph like a flock.
Who Is A Shepherd?
In Gen. 4:2 the Bible gives a description of a Shepherd: ‘keeper of sheep’ – one who cares, tends, nurses the sheep. His duty is that of building a relationship with the sheep. Daily, there is a fellowship and relationship between Him and His sheep. He owns the exclusive responsibility of providing the sheep with shelter, food, warmth, defense and overall leadership.
Note This About The Shepherd
• He knows the terrain more than the sheep
• He sees far more than his sheep
• He knows the enemy more than his sheep
• He knows when there is danger more than the sheep
• He is the protector (1Sam. 17:34-35)
• He holds a staff to guide the sheep
This staff may be painful to the body of the sheep, but its pain is to instill guidance, care and leadership. With the staff, he might even fight the enemy.
He sees farther than the sheep. (The sheep only sees 18 yards from where it stands), but the shepherd sees the danger from far. You must realise that the Lord as your shepherd sees beyond your human eyes can reach, understand more than your tiny mind can comprehend; He knows it all and sees it all.
In John 10, Jesus gives us the description of a good shepherd and the difference between a stranger, a hireling and the shepherd. In John 10:8 and 11-17, it is clear that all who came before Jesus were thieves and robbers, but He is the good shepherd.
Looking At The Psalm We Discover
The shepherd does not love most of the sheep, but each and every single one of them is important to him. His shepherding role may differ from one sheep to the other, but He loves them equally and treats them according to their nature, physique and age.
The Shepherd knows the sheep by name and deals with them according to their abilities.
The Lord – The greatest of all Lords, the most powerful is the one who has taking up the role of ‘my shepherd.’ Note: He is not our shepherd, or their shepherd, but my ‘personal’ shepherd.
This Shows:
Relationship and acceptance – John 10:3,4
Before the Lord can become your shepherd, there must be a relationship between you and the Lord; it further means that by this relationship and acceptance you
• Hear his voice
• Keep his commands
• Obey his will
Please ponder on this: Do you have a relationship with God?
• It is possible to relate with the church without relating with the Lord.
• It is possible to relate with the pastor without relating with the Lord.
This relationship is developed through the new birth – 1 John 3:5-8.
Because He Is My Shepherd ‘I Shall Not Want’
David knew the ability of the shepherd to provide. If God is the provider for me, it means He is able to provide everything good and necessary for my wellbeing. Sometimes, what we ask may seem to be good by our assessment, but may not be the best for us. All the grasses may look green, but the shepherd knows the place of good pasture. The man, David was never without lack at a time he was moving from cave to mountain in pursuit for survival and safety; especially from the wrath of King Saul. At a time, he and his men were so hungry that they had to eat the bread meant for priests alone; yet, he came out boldly to say: ‘I shall not want.’
Temporal lack is not that God could not provide; He can supply whatsoever we need; what we want may not be what we need. If I don’t have what I desire, it is either the desire is not fit for me or not good enough for me, or better say ‘I shall have it in due time’ see Matt. 6. I shall not want speaks of satisfaction and fulfillment. I will not lack, decrease, be empty or run dry.
The Psalm was also saying my satisfaction is on God alone. He makes me to lie down in green pasture. This speaks of rest and safety.
He Leads Me Beside The Still Water
This speaks of spiritual refreshment. See Psalm 84:5-7; The still water depicts: weary, and dangerous place. Beware of being spiritually weary, tired, weak and worn out. If the Lord is our shepherd, will always surrender our weakness to the Holy Spirit to deal with it (Rom. 8:26). In weakness we tend to resort to rest. In Genesis 49:15; a man saw that rest was good and the land was pleasant for rest; the Bible said he became a servant unto tribute. The Lord knows how deceptive the still water could be; there are relationship that appears harmless, jobs that look very lucrative we must be careful least we become so enslaved in them that we become servant to labour and separated from the peace and shield of God.
He Leads Me In The Right Path Way
The sheep may see every way to be useful and right. He may even assume that ‘way is way’ but the shepherd knows the path of righteousness. He knows the best route that will lead to the good resting place. Beloved, there is a path of righteousness – are you following His leading or have you become your own boss?
Peradventure, I mistakenly enter the valley of the shadow of death – I will not fear any evil. (See 1 John 5:4-5, 1 John 4:4, Rom. 8:31-39, the Psalmist 91:1-13)
The rod may be heavy, fearful and scary, but with it the sheep feels secured. The shepherd in the face of the enemy uses it as a weapon, but to the sheep it is for direction, correction, and leadership.
There is a table prepared. The Lord, himself, prepared it. This table was not prepared in view of who will seat on it. There is a place for every child of God. It is so prepared that even the presence of the enemy could not stop it. What God has prepared for his children is not limited by the presence of an enemy. God does not give cognisance to the enemy when he sets to bless you. Hear me! The presence of the enemy cannot make God to postpone his good plans for you.
God’s oil is on my head; it means he has selected me, consecrated me, chosen me, and set me apart for himself. Every sheep must see this Divine role in our shepherd-sheep relationship with God. You are God’s own. God’s oil in your life will certainly bring an endless overflow. God orders goodness and mercy to become my companion because I have made Him my shepherd.
Is God your shepherd, are you taking his lead? Where have you chosen to pitch your tent? Who are you following? Where is your anchor?
The days may look very challenging in the nation, but be rest assured that if the Lord takes the role of shepherding you; there will be no regret.
• Venerable Stephen Wolemonwu is the Rector Ibru Ecumenical Centre, Agbarha-Otor, Delta State (08035413812)
