LOVE TO FEEL LOVED

There were times between conflicts that God gave David time to rest and be refreshed. He recalls how after a long day herding his father’s sheep over the Judean hills, he too gave the sheep a chance to catch their breath. During his hectic days running from Saul and later fighting the Philistines, David saw the same love and care given to him by his God and Savior. Therefore, David knew from experience that God had the heart of a shepherd. A heart that was caring, loving, protective and always on-call to provide all the assistance needed to keep him safe and sound.

“The LORD Eternal cares for me with a shepherd’s love, I have everything I need. He encourages me to relax and lower my stress; He sees to it that I stay away from what can upset me. He refreshes my spirit by giving me many reasons to keep on going and to honor Him by the way I live. And even when I’m going through difficult times that could destroy me, I don’t panic because He’s right by my side, and His power to defend me brings comfort. Even when things don’t look good, He gives me a reason to have hope; He makes me feel wanted; He even gives me things I never expected. I am certain, His loving-kindness and steadfast love will always sustain me on my journey, until I sit down in His presence forever.” Psalm 23:1-6

Reflection: Professor Stanley Jaki stood on a sidewalk in Scotland listening to a preacher tell the following story: A little shepherd boy and several lambs were found frozen to death after a severe snow storm up on the hills near his small Scottish village. When his body was recovered, the rescuers saw that the little lad seemed to have died holding fast to the little finger on his left hand. They had no explanation for this until they talked to his mother and she explained. She told them that this was how her small Scottish chap always recited the 23^rd Psalm, by starting with his thumb and touching each finger on his left hand. The preacher then demonstrated, that as the little fellow lay on the ground shivering from the cold he began to slowly recite his favorite Psalm: “The…Lord…is…my…shepherd” By the time he reached his little finger his tiny heart stopped just as he breathed the word “Shepherd.”

In spite of being buffeted by a sharp wind blowing cold off the North Sea, Dr. Jaki said he could not help but sense a warm feeling flood his soul and spread throughout his chilled body as he listened to this touching story. It was obvious that even though this little lad had to walk through the valley of death’s shadow, he knew his Shepherd was right there with him. I’m sure King David could empathize with that little shepherd boy, and prove that what he said in the final words of his Psalm were proven to be true once again. True shepherds do not abandon their flock or become distracted and allow predators to sneak in and devour them. That’s why each believer should start each day by looking up and saying with the Psalmist, “The Lord Eternal is my Shepherd.”