When reflecting on Psalm 23:1, one simple word stood out to me. It was the word ‘is.’ The Lord is my Shepherd. Many find comfort in this famous verse. Indeed, it is a very poignant verse, loaded with inspiring and challenging truths. The word “is” in the verse refers to something present, not past or future. It does not read; The Lord was or will be my Shepherd.
I have read that some sheep walk along the fenced area looking for a weak or broken-down place to get out of the pasture to find better grass. If there is no fence, they wander off searching for greener pastures. While a person may be their shepherd, when those sheep are walking the fence line seeking for an escape or wandering off, those animals are not allowing the shepherd to be their shepherd. They want to shepherd themself. Anyone can read or quote Psalm 23:1 if they like, but if they are not following Christ’s laws, precepts, or desires, they cannot honestly say the Lord is my Shepherd. Only those investing in seeking to follow Christ’s leadership can say that.
This also applies to the word ‘believe.’ Biblical belief is not a cerebral thought or mental assent. It is a mindset prepared to act as though it was true, in contrast to being an ideal. Jesus said, 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 (John 14:23, ESV). John put it this way, for this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome (1 John 5:3, ESV). Jesus’ teachings are truly clear about hearing and doing, in contrast to hearing and knowing.
We cannot just say we believe in or love God, we must express it in all we do and say. Understanding God’s love for you in its full dimensions will set you free to enjoy all that is yours as a Christian. If you only can say you believe and cannot emotionally and intuitively accept the truth that God loves you, you will be limited in how you can relate to Him. When He disciplines you, you will not take it as an expression of His love. Instead, you may resent Him. When God says no to a request that is less than His best for you, you will falsely presume He does not care about you. Without a clear understanding and acceptance of God’s love for you, you will be disoriented to Him and to what He wants to do in your life. If you will accept God’s love, however, you will be able to return love to God as well as to others (1Jn 4:19).
Jesus’ last great commission to all who follow Him was to go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey [to do] all the commands I have given you… (Matthew 28:19-20, NLT2) Does this mean we must be sinless in our journey through life? Certainly not—any more than we expect our children to obey perfectly or do absolutely everything we tell them. Just as we are more concerned with the attitude of our child’s heart than with their perfect behavior, so God is far more concerned about the attitude of our heart than with our sinless behavior. He is closely watching how we respond after we realize we have broken His laws. Are we humble and repentant or do we blow it off by telling ourselves God’s grace covers my sins?
The veracity of your love and trust in God is exposed in the attitude of your heart and what you fear. If you sense within that your belief is too shallow, there is great hope. By investing more deeply by scheduling time to get to know His character, value system, and ways through meditation on His written Word, you will be rewarded with a growing love and trust in Him.
I am reminded of C.S. Lewis’ story of a dog he had which was good at heeling, without much ado, until a rabbit came along. Then, she was off after the rabbit, until it holed up. Once the appealing distraction was gone, the dog returned to heeling again.
Lewis’ question was simple. Did the dog ever obey? No. The dog truly did not submit in obedience. It consented to come in line when it was agreeable. How so my own nature. I want to be in charge.
Your blog calls us to note that, when we have a clear command, we must check whether we have been merely agreeing (not truly obeying) and then examine and repent when we are walking in disobedience.
I particularly like the tone of grace in your 5th paragraph that references the importance of our heart attitude coupled with genuine repentance followed by your 6th & final paragraph that calls us to seek Him deliberately.
Thank you for commenting and offering a great word picture!
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