Deep Into the Water

Psalm 23 (NLT)

¹The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
²He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.
³ He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name.
⁴Even when I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me.
⁵You prepare a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.
⁶Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
forever.

Recently, I was whining to the Lord. Yes. I whine. Sometimes I drink wine. And then I whine some more. Anywho…I was whining to the Lord, comparing my story to a dear friend (this, by the way, is a death trap from the enemy- don’t do it!). “Lord, it’s not fair. She had a shepherd in the church that discipled her every day for YEARS. I didn’t have that. I want that!” He responded abruptly with loving kindness, “The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want.”

Silence.

As the revelation of the Word pierced my soul, the Holy Spirit reminded me how this lost sheep was found, carried into the sheepfold, and continually cared for by the Lord. Once He corrected my short sightedness, I also saw that I have hadshepherds (pastors) who cared for and equipped me. He didn’t deny that a few were more concerned with building their empires than building people, but it’s His responsibility to judge the hearts of man. My response is to acknowledge the neglect, process the pain with the Lord, and forgive. I’m probably not at 70 times 7 yet, but I’ve surrendered my will numerous times to release those who’ve hurt me. My Shepherd has forgiven me –and forgotten my sin. We love because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). We forgive because He forgives (Psalm 103:3). Because we, like sheep, have all gone astray (Isaiah 53:6).

As I re-read Psalm 23 in different translations from the one I memorized in the United Methodist Church, hope began to rise. Although the 23^rdPsalm is famous as the go to eternal life passage for funerals, it’s also a pathway for abundant life on earth:

Jesus is my Shepherd.
In our relationship, I have all that I need.
He lets me rest.
He leads me to places of peace.
He refills my strength when its depleted.
He guides me into righteous living.
As I obey Him, it brings honor to His name.
When I stay close to Him, there is no fear.
He corrects me with His rod.
His staff hooks my stubborn neck and draws me back when I wander.
He brings comfort to the wounds that have been inflicted by the wolf that tries to steal, kill and destroy me.
He feeds me; His body and blood are a feast.
In His presence, I can sit before my enemies- and be prepared.
He anoints me to do good work.
His Spirit overflows me with blessings.
He pursues me with His goodness and love.
He provides the way to spend eternity with Him in heaven.

Sadly, Americans have glorified many shepherds in the church. I’ve been guilty of idolizing a few. Blind sheep easily follow spiritual superstars every word through social media, conferences and books. Please hear me: leaders are a giftfrom Jesus to the church. But they are not Jesus. They are anointed to be shepherds to the sheep. But they are not the Lord. The Lord is our Shepherd. We have all that we need in Him. Let us honor Him. Let us honor our leaders in the church. Let us be a holy sheepfold- together. Let us rejoice when the Shepherd goes after 1 and leaves the 99. Let us welcome new sheep into the flock. Let us learn from older sheep and teach younger sheep to become like our Shepherd. My Shepherd. Your Shepherd. Hallowed by His name. His Kingdom come. His will be done!

Matthew 16:21-23 New Living Translation (NLT)

²¹From then on Jesusbegan to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead.

²²But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand himfor saying such things. “Heaven forbid, Lord,” he said. “This will never happen to you!”

²³Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.”

Psalm 91:1-5 New Living Translation (NLT)

¹Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
²This I declare about the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
he is my God, and I trust him.
³For he will rescue you from every trap
and protect you from deadly disease.
⁴He will cover you with his feathers.
He will shelter you with his wings.
His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
⁵Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,
nor the arrow that flies in the day.

Ephesians 6:13-18 New Living Translation (NLT)

¹³Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.¹⁴Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. ¹⁵For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.^[a] ¹⁶In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.^[b] ¹⁷Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

¹⁸Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.^[c]

Have you ever obeyed God and then had someone you love reprimand you for doing so?

I have.

In fact, I can’t recall a time when God spoke, I did what was necessary, and I didn’t suffer terrible things.

Unlike Jesus, however, I have not yet mastered the loving rebuke He demonstrated with Peter after he said “heaven forbid…this will never happen!” Instead, I often fight back with sarcasm or seething silence because I frequently take reprimands personally. But I have recently discovered that the hits from the enemy are against God- not me. Since I am made in His image and have been bought with a high price, Satan will continue to try to steal, kill and destroy me, but His attack is aimed against the One I worship.

Thankfully, the Lord has given me a helper for this ongoing battle against the principalities, powers and rules of the darkness! His name is Spirit. He is Holy. He is powerful. And He has the equipment I need.

Belt = Truth

Shoes = Peace

Shield = Faith

Helmet = Salvation

Body Armor = Righteousness

Sword = Word of God

Prayer = Spirit

The equipment I put on will determine whether or not I am equipped to fight. If I’m half dressed, the enemy will aim for the vulnerable, exposed areas. When an arrow pierces my soul, I must quickly return to the Commander and ask “how have I trusted in my own strength?” (the answer will always point back to pride, coming from the lust of my eyes and flesh). But God is full of mercy. He will forgive me when I repent. He will restore my missing armor when I humbly submit.

If I’m fully dressed, the enemy will still attack. I will not fear him. I will not be afraid of the arrow that flies out of someone’s mouth. Sure, I may be struck down by the reprimand. I may become confused. I may be bruised when the weapon hits the armor. I may feel pressed on every side. But I will not be destroyed. I will not be distressed. I will not despair. God will not leave me or forsake me. (2 Corinthians 4:8-9) He will help me get back up. He will help me stand firm. He will help me continue to fight.

2arrow My fellow warriors,

Satan’s attacks are relentless in order to thwart Gods plans for you. Do not be deceived. Do not be naive. Do not trust in your own strength. Remember, the enemy is not people (the enemy works through people, but the enemy’s name is not Peter, its Satan). So, be filled with the Holy Spirit. Be equipped for battle. Forgive those who have reprimanded and caused you pain. Submit to the Commander. Rebuke the enemy. Let us march together, shoulder to shoulder to inherit the land God has promised. Let us fight for the Kingdom of God. Let us give honor to the King!