Jesus Isn't Decaf (By Naomi Meyers)

He was there again. The valley. It wasn’t unfamiliar. Frequently he found himself in that particular space. Bogged in the downs that inevitably followed the ups. Suffocated by the darkness that blocked out the light. Slogging through the days when everything that could possibly go wrong did, in fact, go wrong. Times when his flock was chased by a hungry predator. Weeks being hunted by a king intent on his death. Moments of weakness when his own traitorous heart distracted him, drew him aside, and wrapped him in a web of deceit. Hours spent at the bedside of his dying child, fasting and praying and hoping for a light to illuminate the darkness. Change the outcome. Edit the plans for that particular valley. (I Samuel 17:34-36; 23:7-24:22; II Samuel 11:1-12:19) 

Becoming king didn’t alter his frequent visits to the valley. Evil enemies came against his kingdom. Some from without. Some from within. His own son, Absolom, attempted to usurp his throne. Famine would afflict the land for years on end. Egregious errors in his own judgment would place both his land in the grip of a fatal plague. Often David would find himself on his face before God begging forgiveness, asking for mercy, seeking guidance, giving praise. Celebrating victory. Discouraged by vanquishment. In moments of calm and times of chaos. No matter the circumstances, David rested in the unshakeable knowledge that God, the great Shepherd of his soul, had everything firmly in hand. Because that’s what shepherds do. (II Samuel 15; 21:1; 24)

Experience had taught him a thousand things about being a shepherd. He knew the job. He knew every moment would be fraught with snares and traps. He realized sheep needed guidance. To food. To water. Away from poisonous, yet attractive, plants. Away from sheer drops and rocky cliffs. He understood their vulnerabilities and how dependent they were on his protection. Without arrogance, David comprehended that the sheep truly couldn’t survive without him. With great humility, he recognized the same situation in himself. Without his Shepherd, David’s soul would never survive.  

David recognized a part of himself in every member of his flock. The one who was forever distracted. The one who frequently strayed. The one who desperately needed direction. The one ever needing restoration. He knew he was the same. Exactly the same. David understood his inability to successfully chart his own course. He knew he was easily drawn aside. He realized things would come into his life, clog his path, upset his plans, leaving him with no idea where to go, what to do, or how to overcome the enveloping darkness. He understood fear and anxiety, desperation and helplessness. He acknowledged all of his glaring inadequacies, insufficiencies, and inabilities. Yet, when placing pen to paper in a message for posterity, David chose to write words pointing to the one thing he knew with unshakeable certainty. The character of his Shepherd.

The one thing David knew with absolute clarity, was the heart of God toward humanity. Toward David himself. Toward you. Toward me. He rested in the truth that he could trust his Shepherd to take care of him in every situation. The Shepherd would never lead him astray. He would never allow one of His flock to starve or dehydrate. He would protect them from the evil without and deliver them from the evil within. The Good Shepherd would never leave his flock alone to aimlessly wander dark valleys in terror. He would be with them no matter how grim the circumstances or dark the outlook. David knew he could depend on the presence and help, direction, and care of the Shepherd. Today. Tomorrow. Forever. (Psalm 23) 

It was something David clearly came back to over and over throughout his life. Dependance on his Shepherd. Constantly remembering what he knew about God from personal experience. Obeying Him. Trusting Him. Following Him. In good times and bad. Valleys and mountaintops. Fleeing his enemies or rejoicing in victory over them. When David himself couldn’t see how things would ever work out. When the enemy appeared to be winning. When life seemed to continually be going wrong. He knew his Shepherd was trustworthy. He rested in the fact God had his best interest in mind. He took comfort in the direction and chastening of the Shepherd’s rod and staff. He knew he needed that. Needed to be kept on the proper path. He knew we would need it too. So he penned the words of Psalm 23. (Psalm 73; 145:13; I Samuel 30:6; II Samuel 2:1-2; 4:9; 5:17-19; 6:21; 7:18-29; 11-12; 22; 24:10-14) 

 Confidence echoes from those beautiful words. There are no questions, no uncertainties. It overflows with words of love and care no matter life’s circumstances. When things go right. When things go wrong. When we stay. When we stray. The character of the Shepherd never changes. He is always loving and leading. He continually works in our best interest. He tirelessly draws us back into a proper relationship with Him. He is working for us, not against us. We are safe in His care no matter where we are. In lush pastures. In dark valleys. Surrounded by evil. Safely ensconced in the house of the Lord. He is with us. Everywhere.  We can trust Him. Implicitly. Forever. (Psalm 25:1-2: 36:5-6; 46; 118:6; 139:7-18)

Looking back over a lifetime of church services, camp meetings, and Bible studies, I can count on my fingers the number of times I remember hearing a message on Psalm 23. I’ve rarely even heard it read from the pulpit. Except at funerals. It seems to be a favorite then. It’s supposed to be comforting. And it is. To the living. Because Psalm 23 is for us. Now. The living. Today. In a world of turmoil and uncertainty, it is hope and peace. In times when spiritual carelessness and complacency are the norm, it reminds us of the comfort to be found in the chastening of the Shepherd. When our souls are starving, our worries mounting, our enemies hard on our heels, Psalm 23 paints the beautiful picture of the meticulously prepared feast our Good Shepherd has laid out before us. In a plush meadow. Beside a quiet, glistening pond. With all our enemies looking on. He prepares a table of victory before us and calls us to eat the Bread of Life. Draw strength from Him. For today’s struggles. For tomorrow’s battles. And all His sheep do. Because they know the Shepherd. Do you? (John 6:35; 10:11-18)