Psalm 23 … Through the Valley of the Shadow (06/01/17)
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters (of rest); He restores my life. He leads me in Paths of Righteousness (for His name’s sake). Even though I walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, I fear no evil — for He is with me … His rod and staff – they comfort me. He prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies; He anoints my head with oil … My cup [of service] overflows. Only goodness and kindness shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the House of the Lord forever.” ~ unknown (Psalm 23)
First & foremost, realize that there are two primary perspectives from which to choose whenever reading Old Testament scripture – the first being the “unway” of the Pharisees (the traditional, conservative, highly judgmental lens used by the hyper-critical and ostensibly arrogant religious leaders of Jesus’ day, and the way still used by the vast majority of Christians to this very day) and the second being The Way of Jesus Christ (the blatantly heretical, highly revolutionary lens applied to the Scriptures by Jesus himself during his ministry – and the Way devoutly followed by all those abiding in his teachings today) …
Using the former lens, this Psalm speaks of a personal godhead who resides somewhere “up above;” one who “looks down” upon our failings with an air of condescension & upon our frustrations with an air of capriciousness. Even though this particular Psalm speaks kindly of this “Divine Despot”, a celestial tyrant He remains – guiding us and controlling us and judging us while He does so … He is an arrogant God who demands subservience, and He is a petty God who demands worshipful reverence; not in any way like the “heavenly Father” of Jesus Christ – a Father who as the reflection of perfect Love (Matthew 5:48), the purveyor of limitless Grace (Luke 6:36), and a Father who knows nothing of either judgment (John 5:22) or condemnation (Matthew 18:21-22 + 1 John 4:18).
Note as well that Jesus agreed that his Father was a “shepherd” of sorts – and yet the moral guidance provided by His essence came from within us (John 14:20-26) … Note too that Jesus knew that we need “not want” for anything, but not because God would provide for our petty needs, but rather because those who chose to embody the Truth of his Life no longer needed or even desired such things. The Way is a Life lived for others – a life of intentional self-sacrifice – a life that only desires for others to have their burdens lessened and their Joys magnified.
And this is why those who “follow” him (i.e. those who emulate his Way of selfless Love – see John 14:12) want for nothing – and this is why they receive everything they desire when praying “in his name” (John 14:13-14 et al); for the simple reason that to pray in Jesus’ name means to pray for opportunities to serve others, and such opportunities are always available to those seeking the same.
In addition, please note that – for Jesus at least – God leads us to “green pastures” not that we might rest there, but rather that we might feed others therewith; leads us “beside still waters” not to refresh ourselves, but rather to give sustenance to others thirsting nearby (Matthew 25:35-40). For this is the only way to walk a “path of righteousness” – this is the only way to earnestly live “for His name’s sake” – this is why there is no more fear, even though we might “walk through the valley of the shadow of death” (Hebrews 2:14-15 + John 14:1-6). For the life lived for others is the life lived from Love, and there can be no fear in Love’s presence. For where Love is enlivened with purpose, fear has no choice but to recede (1 John 4:18).
Indeed, this is why “He prepares a table for me in the presence of my enemies” – for the simple reason that we are the ones setting that table; for the simple reason that we are the ones who have been called to feed our enemies therewith (Matthew 5:43-48). And this is why He “anoints our heads with oil” – not to be rewarded in the Hereafter (John 6:15 + Matthew 4:1:10 + Matthew 20:23), but rather to call us to a life of self-sacrifice; to call us to “die daily” for others (Matthew 16:24) and thereby have a “cup that overflows” with the wine of unconditional Love (John 2:3-10). This is why “Goodness and kindness follow us all the days of our lives” – because our lives consist of bringing goodness and kindness to everyone we encounter.
Amen … Let it be so.
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