Proverbs 31
It's a well-known portion of scripture.
It's become some sort of a life goal for many -
"Proverbs 31 wife"
"Proverbs 31 woman"
It's good, but . . .
I fear sometimes we overemphasize portions of it and neglect the meaning of the description as a whole.
I fear sometimes we stop with Proverbs 31 alone and forget the instruction and encouragement offered throughout scripture.
I fear sometimes we epitomize a false profile.
Proverbs 31: 10-31 describes a wife who really has it all together:
A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
It describes her work, her efforts.
We hear of virtues and commitment that are commendable, even described in perfection.
But, I think the emphasis - and instruction - intended in this description actually lie in verse 30.
a woman who fears the Lord...
The book of proverbs is a book of wisdom and advice.
We are to seek wisdom and avoid foolishness.
This last
chapter culminates on the intro to Proverbs. Chapter 1, verses 1 -7 explain
the purpose of the book - instruction/advice for living, grounded in
fear of the LORD.
Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
This woman described at the end of Proverbs fears the Lord.
Her attributes and accomplishments are meant to depict the fruit of a reliance on God.
When we let God be God -
we listen; we follow; we serve; we are obedient.
We are not self-seeking or prideful.
We seek peace, not conflict.
We give more than receive.
We rest rather than worry.
Proverbs 31 depicts virtues that are grounded and fruitful because of her fear for the Lord.
We have to be careful when the actions become the focus. Even serving Him cannot rise above knowing Him.
I want to expound on Proverbs 31 with Jesus' words in Luke 10.
There is good in the work, but Jesus speaks of something "better"
38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10: 38-42
Abiding brings the real fruit - the Kingdom fruit.
Nothing we do is done in our own strength and abilities or for our own purpose.
The woman in Proverbs was "praised", BUT praise is not the goal.
We need to beware of the motivation our culture has extracted.
If the productivity of my life is to serve my purpose and point to me, than I have lost the fear.
Fearing the Lord puts Him first.
Sometimes it makes me anxious to sit like Mary.
There are times when I want a product to show for my efforts.
I want to produce fruit, and I'm so anxious to see the fruit that I do it alone.
God says come in closer,
sit
listen
and the fruit will be so much better.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If
you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and
withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. John 15:5-8
7.23.2017
7.02.2017
Be Thou My Vision
Have you ever noticed that people "look" different when you love them?
Like friends and family, especially spouses and children. You look at them, and sometimes it's almost as if you don't even see them. Like you don't really notice what their skin, hair, etc. look like. It's almost as if you see the person - who they are - and not really their body.
This can be true even for strangers or a new acquaintance when you are looking at them in love. It's like your connection and care for the person bypass the physical.
We notice it and respect it greatly in the couples who have been married and loved each other for many decades. Time changes their appearance, but the attraction - rooted in love - is so constant and real.
----------------
I've heard people speculate about our bodies in Heaven. People wonder if we'll be young, skinny, fit, beautiful. Those are all relative terms anyway, and no one really knows.
I personally am not too worried about how that plays out.
This. ↓
This right here ↓ is full of more than enough promise and hope for me:
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was gone also. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a beautiful bride prepared for her husband. I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, "Look, the home of God is now among His people! He will live with them, and they will be His people. God Himself will be with them. He will remove all of their sorrows, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. For the old world and its evils are gone forever." And the one sitting on the throne said, "Look I am making all things new!"
Revelation 21:1-5a
I can't read that without crying and hoping.
All I want is to be with Him.
All I want is for all to be made right.
And I desperately want others to realize His love and grace before it comes to this moment.
This beauty is at the end of Revelation. So many are lost in the war and judgment that precedes this glorious change.
Lord, give us urgency. Amen.
--------------
As I have studied Revelation, I've tried to better understand this war between good and evil. This war that has raged since the beginning.
Genesis is so full. There is so much in the beginning of God's story. Just the first three chapters hold tons of clues and answers to the mystery of what God started and planned.
I want to point out one piece.
The serpent comes to Eve, and the temptation stems from questioning and twisting what God had commanded. He tries to manipulate her by making her question God's intentions, as if God did not want what was best for her. He even tries to celebrate the effects of eating the fruit.
"You won't die!" the serpent hissed. "God knows that your eyes will be opened when you eat it. You will become just like God, knowing everything, both good and evil." Genesis 3:4-5
Now, if I pause right there. Eve missed an important point.
Who wants to know evil?
The serpent acted like that would be awesome. Good AND evil. You get to know it all.
Anyway, such is the essence of our sin even today. We are captured by it and drawn to it, no matter how detrimental it may be. (John 8:34-36)
The woman was convinced. The fruit looked so fresh and delicious, and it would make her so wise. So she ate some of the fruit. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her. Then he ate it, too. At that moment, their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. Genesis 3:6-7
The only thing we know that changed in that moment was the way they saw.
Their sight. Their vision.
Their view of themselves. Their view of each other changed.
We often think about this first sin.
The consequences we remember are that Adam and Even had to leave the garden. They would have to work and labor for food, and there would be pain in childbirth.
True, but not completely.
The first consequence was their sight. I don't completely understand this, and I don't think anyone completely can, but -
I know that the way we see ourselves affects everything we do and every relationship we have. From this very first sin, Adam and Eve were no longer comfortable with themselves.
They felt shame.
They were no longer comfortable together.
And, they were no longer comfortable to be in God's presence.
This sight - that now included good and evil - created a barrier.
It changed everything.
God did punish them, and they could no longer have the same relationship with Him.
They were separated by their sin.
But, leaving the garden was actually more about God's love and protection than part of the punishment. God banished them from the garden so they could not eat from the tree of life. The tree of life would allow them to live forever. God did not want them to live forever in their state of shame and brokenness.
God's plan would continue - ultimately with the complete work of salvation in Jesus Christ, His son.
Jesus would redeem all that was lost and make a Way for people to come back to God - fully and completely.
Back to Revelation -
And the angel showed me a pure river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb, coursing down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations. Revelation 22:1-2
"See I am coming soon, and my reward is with me, to repay all according to their deeds. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End."
Blessed are those who wash their robes so they can enter through the gates of the city and eat the fruit of the tree of life. Revelation 22:12-14
Then, the tree of life.
The tree of life - life eternal - for all who have chosen salvation in Jesus.
That is Heaven!
Heaven is being connected back to God.
Living in the presence of God.
FOREVER!
I don't know what we will look like - what bodies we will have - but I know we will see differently.
We will see the way God intended.
And perhaps, that is all that will change.
Eyes that only see with Love.
Like friends and family, especially spouses and children. You look at them, and sometimes it's almost as if you don't even see them. Like you don't really notice what their skin, hair, etc. look like. It's almost as if you see the person - who they are - and not really their body.
This can be true even for strangers or a new acquaintance when you are looking at them in love. It's like your connection and care for the person bypass the physical.
We notice it and respect it greatly in the couples who have been married and loved each other for many decades. Time changes their appearance, but the attraction - rooted in love - is so constant and real.
----------------
I've heard people speculate about our bodies in Heaven. People wonder if we'll be young, skinny, fit, beautiful. Those are all relative terms anyway, and no one really knows.
I personally am not too worried about how that plays out.
This. ↓
This right here ↓ is full of more than enough promise and hope for me:
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was gone also. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a beautiful bride prepared for her husband. I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, "Look, the home of God is now among His people! He will live with them, and they will be His people. God Himself will be with them. He will remove all of their sorrows, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. For the old world and its evils are gone forever." And the one sitting on the throne said, "Look I am making all things new!"
Revelation 21:1-5a
I can't read that without crying and hoping.
All I want is to be with Him.
All I want is for all to be made right.
And I desperately want others to realize His love and grace before it comes to this moment.
This beauty is at the end of Revelation. So many are lost in the war and judgment that precedes this glorious change.
Lord, give us urgency. Amen.
--------------
As I have studied Revelation, I've tried to better understand this war between good and evil. This war that has raged since the beginning.
Genesis is so full. There is so much in the beginning of God's story. Just the first three chapters hold tons of clues and answers to the mystery of what God started and planned.
I want to point out one piece.
The serpent comes to Eve, and the temptation stems from questioning and twisting what God had commanded. He tries to manipulate her by making her question God's intentions, as if God did not want what was best for her. He even tries to celebrate the effects of eating the fruit.
"You won't die!" the serpent hissed. "God knows that your eyes will be opened when you eat it. You will become just like God, knowing everything, both good and evil." Genesis 3:4-5
Now, if I pause right there. Eve missed an important point.
Who wants to know evil?
The serpent acted like that would be awesome. Good AND evil. You get to know it all.
Anyway, such is the essence of our sin even today. We are captured by it and drawn to it, no matter how detrimental it may be. (John 8:34-36)
The woman was convinced. The fruit looked so fresh and delicious, and it would make her so wise. So she ate some of the fruit. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her. Then he ate it, too. At that moment, their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. Genesis 3:6-7
The only thing we know that changed in that moment was the way they saw.
Their sight. Their vision.
Their view of themselves. Their view of each other changed.
We often think about this first sin.
The consequences we remember are that Adam and Even had to leave the garden. They would have to work and labor for food, and there would be pain in childbirth.
True, but not completely.
The first consequence was their sight. I don't completely understand this, and I don't think anyone completely can, but -
I know that the way we see ourselves affects everything we do and every relationship we have. From this very first sin, Adam and Eve were no longer comfortable with themselves.
They felt shame.
They were no longer comfortable together.
And, they were no longer comfortable to be in God's presence.
This sight - that now included good and evil - created a barrier.
It changed everything.
God did punish them, and they could no longer have the same relationship with Him.
They were separated by their sin.
But, leaving the garden was actually more about God's love and protection than part of the punishment. God banished them from the garden so they could not eat from the tree of life. The tree of life would allow them to live forever. God did not want them to live forever in their state of shame and brokenness.
God's plan would continue - ultimately with the complete work of salvation in Jesus Christ, His son.
Jesus would redeem all that was lost and make a Way for people to come back to God - fully and completely.
Back to Revelation -
And the angel showed me a pure river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb, coursing down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations. Revelation 22:1-2
"See I am coming soon, and my reward is with me, to repay all according to their deeds. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End."
Blessed are those who wash their robes so they can enter through the gates of the city and eat the fruit of the tree of life. Revelation 22:12-14
Then, the tree of life.
The tree of life - life eternal - for all who have chosen salvation in Jesus.
That is Heaven!
Heaven is being connected back to God.
Living in the presence of God.
FOREVER!
I don't know what we will look like - what bodies we will have - but I know we will see differently.
We will see the way God intended.
And perhaps, that is all that will change.
Eyes that only see with Love.
Be Thou my vision, O lord of my heart;
Nought be all else to me, save that Thou art;
Thou my best thought, in the day and the night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
Be Thou my wisdom, be Thou my true word;
I ever with Thee, and Thou with me Lord;
Thou my Great Father, and I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling and I with Thee one.
Nought be all else to me, save that Thou art;
Thou my best thought, in the day and the night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
Be Thou my wisdom, be Thou my true word;
I ever with Thee, and Thou with me Lord;
Thou my Great Father, and I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling and I with Thee one.
------------
High King of Heaven when the battle is done,
Grant Heaven's joy to me, bright heaven's sun!
Christ of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be thou my vision, O Ruler of all.
Grant Heaven's joy to me, bright heaven's sun!
Christ of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be thou my vision, O Ruler of all.
4.23.2017
Wave My Palm
Wave My Palm
When
Jerusalem’s road
Turns
into Calvary’s load
Will
I still wave the palm?
When
the King we sought
Was
not the Kingdom He brought
Will
I still wave the palm?
Revelation shows
A crowd in white-washed robes
And they still wave the palms.
Because Calvary, behold
Is a Victory Road
And the King we praise
Returned in three days.
So today is the day
Because the price was paid
Let us all raise our palms!
When
the hours are long
Desperate
to end all wrong
I
will still wave the palm.
When
my life is grand
But
Jesus draws in the sand
I
will still wave the palm.
When
the last are first
And
He exposes my worst
I
will still wave the palm.
When
the life I live
I’m
required to give
I
will still wave the palm.
When
my faith is small
And
life towers tall
I
will still wave the palm.
When
miracles delay
After
His will I pray
I
will still wave the palm.
When
the path seems absurd
But
my light is The Word
I
will still wave the palm.
When
I don’t know my part
But
His Word burns in my heart
I
will still wave the palm.
With
a valley ahead
He
anoints my head
I
will still wave the palm.
My
Shepherd, My King
Creator
of all things.
Savior
and Friend
The
Beginning and End.
For
You alone, I wave my palm!
10.02.2016
Bring Life to the Valley
The 23rd Psalm is familiar. It's generally used as a comfort, often in the context of a funeral or time of trouble, but one day recently it resonated with me in a whole new way.
I was reading a story of some mission work, looking at pictures of real-life desperation.
Inescapable, indescribable desperation.
As I looked I prayed, and God spoke.
"The valley of the shadow of death."
He repeated.
"The valley of the shadow of death."
So, I started reeling back in my mind and reciting:
I was reading a story of some mission work, looking at pictures of real-life desperation.
Inescapable, indescribable desperation.
As I looked I prayed, and God spoke.
"The valley of the shadow of death."
He repeated.
"The valley of the shadow of death."
So, I started reeling back in my mind and reciting:
Psalm23
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
3 He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
3 He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
I realized this Psalm was much bigger.
This Psalm I had heard my entire life spoke to me in a brand new way.
See, in the first verse, we acknowledge the Lord as our Shepherd.
It's followed by things we expect from our Shepherd, places we would expect to be led as His sheep.
But in verse 4 - He is still the Shepherd.
He is still leading, and we are still following.
The valley of the shadow of death is not speaking to our death and dying.
It is not the difficulties of life that "happen" to arise in our journey.
It is where the Shepherd is leading us.
Read it again:
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
3 He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
3 He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Now I read the 23rd Psalm like a prophetic word about the call to discipleship Jesus brings in the New Testament.
Jesus proclaimed Himself the Good Shepherd:
Jesus proclaimed Himself the Good Shepherd:
"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”
John 10:11-18
The first 3 verses are easy to accept. Jesus will lead us in righteousness, will provide, will restore us.
But then, if you look at what Jesus actually calls us to:
Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. Matthew 16:24-25
4Even though I walk
The first 3 verses are easy to accept. Jesus will lead us in righteousness, will provide, will restore us.
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
3 He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
3 He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
But then, if you look at what Jesus actually calls us to:
Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. Matthew 16:24-25
Following Jesus is sacrifice.
Jesus spent His ministry describing how the Kingdom of God is a reverse to the way we try to live.
(Matthew 5-7 Sermon on the Mount)
And the prophecy in Isaiah that Jesus said He fulfills:
And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,
Jesus spent His ministry describing how the Kingdom of God is a reverse to the way we try to live.
(Matthew 5-7 Sermon on the Mount)
And the prophecy in Isaiah that Jesus said He fulfills:
And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
and recovering of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
and recovering of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.” Luke 4:17-19
The poor, captives, blind, and oppressed are not in desirable places.
It's obvious that following Him is not all green pastures and still waters.
4Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
Death - by spiritual definition is separation from God. The valley of the shadow of death to me speaks to this world and this life.
In Eden, we were not separated. Sin separated us.
Because of this separation, our world has become a place of death and dying.
People all around us are separated from God or are suffering as a result of this world's separation.
The valley of the shadow of death shows up in the physical with things like poverty and disease.
It reveals itself in the hidden parts of brokenness, sadness, and hatred.
Even more painful are places where life is stolen, killed, or destroyed.
Evil is the source.
But, evil will not win.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. - John 10:10
We follow our Shepherd with no fear of evil.
His rod and His staff are comfort.
And we have the Armor of God:
Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
Ephesians 6:11
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
We even eat in the presence of this enemy.
We are sustained in all ways by the provision of our Shepherd.
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst." John 6:35
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
We are anointed by His Holy Spirit to do good works and fulfill His purpose.
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13
And, it ends with the promise and hope of eternal life.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
-------------------------------
I now read this Psalm differently.
I read it as a prophecy to discipleship in Jesus - The Great Commission.
I read it as a call to action.
I will follow my Shepherd through the valley of the shadow of death- and bring Life.
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
Death - by spiritual definition is separation from God. The valley of the shadow of death to me speaks to this world and this life.
In Eden, we were not separated. Sin separated us.
Because of this separation, our world has become a place of death and dying.
People all around us are separated from God or are suffering as a result of this world's separation.
The valley of the shadow of death shows up in the physical with things like poverty and disease.
It reveals itself in the hidden parts of brokenness, sadness, and hatred.
Even more painful are places where life is stolen, killed, or destroyed.
Evil is the source.
But, evil will not win.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. - John 10:10
We follow our Shepherd with no fear of evil.
His rod and His staff are comfort.
And we have the Armor of God:
Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
Ephesians 6:11
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
We even eat in the presence of this enemy.
We are sustained in all ways by the provision of our Shepherd.
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst." John 6:35
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
We are anointed by His Holy Spirit to do good works and fulfill His purpose.
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13
And, it ends with the promise and hope of eternal life.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
-------------------------------
I now read this Psalm differently.
I read it as a prophecy to discipleship in Jesus - The Great Commission.
I read it as a call to action.
I will follow my Shepherd through the valley of the shadow of death- and bring Life.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
3 He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
3 He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. 18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” 22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me.
25 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. 28 You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe. 30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me, 31 but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here.
Matthew 28:19-20
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
John 14
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
...12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. 18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” 22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me.
25 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. 28 You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe. 30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me, 31 but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here.
Matthew 28:19-20
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Bring Life to the Valley
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