The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
Many text books and magazines for writers say to write about what you know. Write about that for which you have a passion and from which you can draw experiences. David was a shepherd and he most likely grew up tending sheep from an early age. David understood the ways of these animals he was charged to watch over. David did what it took to ensure their health and safety, tending to their needs.
When David wrote the Psalms, especially Psalm 23, he painted a picture of the LORD as a shepherd, drawing a parallel to his life experiences as a tender of sheep himself. David understood how completely helpless sheep are without their shepherd to guide, provide, and protect them.
Perhaps David wrote this particular Psalm later in his life, when he could look back and see all the amazing things God had done to and for him. Conceivably David was examining his heart one day, praising and praying to God when he considered the time he spent as a young shepherd out in the fields. He might have recognized the similarity between his duties as a shepherd and God’s love and care. At the very least David saw how totally dependent he was on God and could easily see the parallel.
During our time in chapters 11 and 12 of The Story we witnessed David’s great love for God and have seen evidence of his servant’s heart. This man was not only a warrior and a king, but a writer as well. God gifted this man in a number of ways because of the great plan He had for him. The fact that thousands of years later we are reading his work, learning from his experiences and mistakes is incredible. Oh, but that we could have such an impact on the future.
Read Psalm 23 here
Listen to Psalm 23 here
No comments:
Post a Comment