Archive article 29

“The Lord is my Shepherd”

 

Of the 150 Psalms in our Bibles the most well known one is Psalm 23.

Of the 6 verses in the Psalm the first one is the most familiar.

Of the first 5 words, its the 4th one that we know the best: “my”

“The Lord is ‘my’ Shepherd”

 

The Eternal God ties Himself to a man

 

There are few people who know the first time God gave to a man the privilege of calling him “my” God.

It happens in the first book of the Bible, Genesis, in chapter 9 and verse 26 where God blesses one of Noah’s sons in a particular way:

“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Shem”

Canaan, the brother of Shem, is not blessed at all. His behaviour was shameful and totally unacceptable. Japheth, who collaborated with Shem in covering the father’s unexpected drunkenness was also blessed. But it’s the wording God uses towards Shem that expresses the privilege of belonging to God.

Just think, how can the eternal God, the Creator of the earth, let himself be related to a man saying, in effect, “I am yours”?

 

The word ‘my’ is turned on its head!

 

‘My’ is one of the first words of every child. Even before he can say his own name, the toddler knows what is his. With tight fist he (or her!?) shouts at every threat around: “It’s mine” He’s in charge, the toy is his, and woe to everyone who might even want to just hold it!

But God isn’t a teddy bear. He’s the Lord. The owner of the universe is using astonishing words when he gives this promise to Shem. God is not his toy – God is His Lord. He’s not the little tot clinging passionately to his prize, he’s now the proud man knowing he belongs to God!  

David is speaking with the same pride in Psalm 23. Now the powerful king, he knows that it was God who made him king instead of Saul. The defeat of Goliath was God’s triumph far more than his conquest. God was not the toy he clung in his hand - far more he was held in the hand of God.

 

Jesus says the same thing to us!

 

Jesus uses the same terminology when, as he likens himself to the good shepherd he says: “He calls his own sheep by name” (Gospel of John 10)

he’s actually giving the sheep the right to say exactly what David said: “The Lord is my shepherd”

I don’t think there’s a greater privilege for anyone! The pronoun ‘my’, when used referring to God, means so much more than when we use it speaking about our house or car. When we speak of my Jesus it means much more “I am His” than “He is mine”.

If Jesus is calling you, don’t hesitate. You can be totally at rest. To belong to God is a wonderful privilege and a great reason to be proud and happy.

                                                                              

                                                               Pastor Paul Finch