Psalms in the Key of Life Series
In less than thirty days, Americans will be deciding on the top office of leadership of the land for the next four years in a time many pundits describe as a crisis of confidence. Leadership is no light matter because we are like sheep. Consider the man a policeman stopped. The driver had a sheep sitting in the front seat. “What are you doing with that sheep? You should take it to the zoo.” The following week, the same policeman saw the same man with the same sheep again in the front seat, both of them, this time, wearing sun glasses. The policeman pulled him over. “I thought you were going to take that sheep to the zoo?” The man replied, “I did. We had such a good time we are going to the beach this time.” Who was leading whom?
Sheep get a bad reputation for not being the smartest animals in the animal kingdom. Man would give sheep a run for their money. Consider this robber who walked into a Topeka, Kansas convenience store. He ordered the clerk, “Give me all the money in the drawer.” Apparently, the take was too small, so he tied up the clerk and worked the counter himself for three hours until police showed up, recognized the robber, and grabbed him.
Men, more than sheep, need a shepherd greater than a national president to lead them through the moral and spiritual crisis of the soul. The Psalmist, King David, would like offer as a write-in candidate—the Lord of Psalm 23. David was in a crisis of confidence, fleeing from Absalom, his sword-wielding, vengeful son. The King needed leadership for his soul. We see in Psalm 23, in our series Psalms in the Key of Life that the person who has God as his Shepherd has chosen leadership that will not mislead nor disappoint in times of want.
KEY VERSES:
A psalm of David.
23 The Lord is my shepherd,
I shall not want.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures,
he leadeth me beside still waters;
3 He restoreth my soul.
He leadeth me down the path of righteousness for his namesake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no danger,
For thou art with me;
Thy rod and thy staff, the comfort me.
5 Thou prepares a table before me in the presence of mine enemies.
Thou anointeth my head with oil;
my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of Lord forever.
The Lord’s leadership is based on an unconditional, covenant relationship. Psalm 23:1-4
As Shepherd, God has a covenant with His children, His sheep. They will lack for nothing because of the Lord’s provisions, guidance, and protection. (v.1)
The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.
As Shepherd, God’s refreshing care is not political nor seasonal based on a term of office. He is nonpartisan, constant, and abundant. (v.2)
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures, he leadeth me beside still waters…
As Shepherd, God provides restoration and the right guidance—a reflection of His righteous reputation and unquestioned record. (v.3)
3 He restoreth my soul. He leadeth me down the path of righteousness for his namesake.
As Shepherd, God is present to comfort His children in the darkness of life’s uncertainties. (V.4)
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no danger. For thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff, the comfort me.
The Lord’s leadership is a servant leadership where He serves as a gracious host. Psalm 23:5-6
As Host, God is gracious and beneficent, whose care and provision are abundant. (v.5)
5 Thou prepares a table before me in the presence of mine enemies.
Thou anointeth my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
As Host, God’s love and presence are constant, emblematic of His character as a promise keeping God—faithful to His covenant relationship with His sheep. (v.6)
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of Lord forever.
The question is, sheep: Are you better off with your past leadership? If not, consider casting a personal ballot for the condition and crisis of your soul, and vote for leadership that will not leave you wanting, no matter what happens on November 5th.
APPLICATION TIME: Write it down and display it where you can see it every day for 30 days. From this lesson, I will…: _____________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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