My Take on the Most Quoted Chapter in the Bible

I learned to quote it at an early age. It has been quoted in times of tragedy, sorrow, and death. Most people my age can quote it.  Has this popular chapter in the Bible been forgotten by our young people?  What was in the mind of its author? What experiences did he have that inspired him to write this?  What did he want each generation to glean from this? Can we apply this to our lives today? When was the last time you read it?  What emotion compelled you to search for comfort in reading it? After reading it, did you understand what he is trying to tell you? Let me tell you what it has done for me.

The 23rd Psalm has been one of my favorite chapters in the Bible.  It could be because the author has been one of my favorite Biblical characters since I was a small child.  In writing my first book, The Heart Behind the Stone: Develop a Giant Slaying Heart, I renewed my acquaintance with the early life of David, the son of Jesse the Bethlehemite.  I learned how David became the man after God's own heart. In the wilderness while shepherding his father's sheep, he developed the love, trust, and faith in his creator, God, at a young age. David was preparing himself to face any trial, large or small, to encourage God's people, and to glorify the God he loved.

Out of  David's life came the 23rd Psalm.  Was this a Psalm for his children and grandchildren?  Did David want them to have words to comfort them when they experienced living life through, seemingly, impossible circumstances? Was he wanting them to examine who they were following, and the path he was leading them?  Did David want them to have a faith in God as he did?  Would these verses motivate them to follow, love, and trust the Lord's path leading to righteousness?  I do not know David's purpose for writing this.  I have read many comments on David's age when he wrote this and many opinions on its meaning.  Below is my take on it, and what I want to convey to you, my children, and my grandchildren.


                                                      The 23rd Psalm


The Lord is my shepherd;  I think David is relating to the reader that he had a choice in whom he would follow.  At this point in his life he had been influenced by many, but the Lord was the one who showed him the the most love and promise.   David knew the Lord fearfully and wonderfully created him. (Psalm 139)  Who better to  be shepherded by than the one who created you.  I shall not want (lack).  With the Lord as my shepherd, I will not lack anything that makes for a righteous life.  The most important statement I see in this verse is, in order to have a shepherd, you must be willing to submit your whole heart, mind, soul and body to the shepherd.

He makes me to lie down in green pastures;  Trials in my life have pushed me in another direction.  This direction has led me to feast upon God's instructing word for comfort just as green grass is to fulfill the appetites of hungry sheep for new grass.  He leads me besides the still waters;  Sometimes I need to be in a peaceful place.  A place I can get my emotional breath, even if it is only for 15 minutes. Unlike the raging white waters of swollen mountain streams, the beauty of still waters at dusk or dawn can give me this needed tranquility.

He restores my soul;  The Lord is the only one who can return the soul as it was in the beginning, before the fall of man. All, including myself, have sinned. By sinning we have a soul that is broken down and is separated from God. The Lord, who like a shepherd, wants the best He can provide for His people.  Exactly like David did in providing for his father's sheep. David wanted the best water, grass, and protection for the flock.  God has set up a plan in his Son, Jesus Christ, that will restore our soul back to the original relationship it had with Him.  This plan is only offered if the Lord is our Shepherd.  David, although a man after God's own heart, knew what it was to be broken by sin and restored. Read Psalm 51.

He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.  When I willingly choose these paths of righteousness presented to us in His word, I will have a good family, be a good citizen in my community, will be known for good works, and by Christian living bring others to obey the gospel. I will let my light shine before men that they may see my good works and glorify my Father in heaven.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,  I will fear no evil;  David had experienced walking with death on either side of him.  Goliath, desperately wanted to kill him, out of jealously, king Saul wanted him dead, and also the enemies of God's people wanted him dead.  This was the physical death on either side of him. Satan also wanted him spiritually dead to God.  Through temptation and  deception, the man after God's own heart sinned against God by committing adultery and murder.  God walked him through all of this.

For You are with me; God delivered David from the lion, bear, Goliath and his confessed sins. He knew he could go through that valley, because God was with him.  God does not change. God will deliver us from our trials as he delivered David. Need comfort? Do you have fear?  Remember, God loves you and is more powerful than the one who is in this world. Please read Romans 8:31-39 and   1 John 4:4.  If you and I are sheep in the fold of God, we should not fear any evil that Satan sends our way. Read Psalm 56:4; Psalm 118:6; and Hebrews 13:6.  This is a truth from God's word, and He does not lie. Are you in His fold? If you are, then be bold, depending on the Lord as your Shepherd to protect you.

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.  The shepherd's rod was used to protect the sheep from predators and to keep the sheep from straying. If studied and meditated upon, God's word can be used to protect us from the deceptions and temptations of the Devil that will bring us physical and spiritual harm.  His word can also discipline us and convict us of any sin in our lives.  The staff was used to hook the lambs, bringing them back when they wandered away from the flock, and to pull them out of harm's way.  To me the staff represents God's love for us. When we are tempted to wander away, a reminder of the great love God has for us and the price His Son paid for us, should bring us gently back.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; Even though Christians live in a fallen world, the providence of God has blessed each with many opportunities.  We can succeed with the gifts God has given us to fulfill His purpose. All of this is done in the presence of the world. We are in this world to do the good works taken from the table God has prepared for us. We are to influence the world for good and not let the world influence us. We are in the world but not of the world. (John17:15-16)

You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over;  If I use this in a way where my head (mind) is to store knowledge and the oil represents knowledge, then God supplies His word in such an abundance, supplying all we need pertaining to life and godliness. (2 Peter 1:3) The more I read in God's word, the more  I stand in awe of Him and His love for me.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.  This is my goal and should be the goal of every Christian. Wanting to be known as a man that has goodness and mercy following him in every life situation, can only be made possible by having the Lord as my Shepherd.  Living this way would hopefully encourage my children, grandchildren, friends and family to do the same.  Could David be saying it was worth it, by having the Lord as his shepherd? David's affirmation was to dwell in the house of the Lord who he had loved and trusted.

David confirms to his readers that the Lord is his shepherd.  He then tells us what his shepherd has done for him.  Finally, he relates to his readers the results of following his shepherd. David's life is a good example of what God can do with a person who believes, loves and trust in Him.

We all have many choices of who or what we will let lead us. There is only one good shepherd who wants to lead you in becoming the person He created you to be for His glory.  He believes in you. Who is your shepherd? Are you willing to love, obey and trust Him?  The choice has always been left up to us. The good shepherd will never force you to follow Him,  but His will is you that will choose Him instead of the world.

Are you searching for a shepherd? Are you following the ways of the world? Does the world really care about you?  What price is the world willing to pay for you?  The Lord wants to be your shepherd and to prove it,  He let His Son die for you. Is your life all messed up because of sin?  Remember what David is trying to tell you.  The Lord will Restore your soul.

How do you relate the 23rd Psalm to you? Please read it with the understanding that the Lord wants to help you through whatever trial you are in.  Is it time to let Him be your shepherd?

Thanks for reading. You may contact me on Facebook or at www.rhepler52@gmail.com.


Rick Hepler


                                                   

MY LETTER TO MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN HUMANITY OF THE LGBT COMMUNITY

Well, my brothers and sisters in humanity of the LGBT community, I thought I needed to write you a letter today.  Now don't go getting defensive before I start.  We both have the same gap between our date of birth and date of death, unless unfortunately, we were killed in the womb by someone else who wanted their rights protected.  This gap is called life. Like it or not in this life we are going to be a slave to something. Although slavery in this country was abolished many years ago, we are still slaves.  The only difference is, we can choose our master.

Before I get into all of this, I am not a famous person.  I will not be labeled a hero like some of you have been called.  This cannot be called a hate crime because I love you, and I certainly do not want any harm to come to you. (That's another reason I am writing to you.) You probably may not want me as your best friend because you are friends with the world, and I am not a friend of this world.( I will explain in another post if you want me to.)

The reason I am writing to you is I do not like your master.  I had him for a master a short part of my life, as we all have.  He didn't have anything to give me.  He used some short term pleasures to lure me with, but on examining him, I found him to produce nothing and promise less. Your master got you by deception and not by paying a price for you.  So you cost him nothing, and he sees no value in you.  My master paid a great price for me and you, although you serve one that cares nothing for you.

I do not like your master, and I want to take a stand against him.  I do not want my children or grandchildren to be deceived, as you have been, and follow him.  Don't tell me you were born that way.  I was born a heterosexual.  My sexual desires are just as strongly felt as yours, but my master tells me to control them and have discipline.  Your master says I can fulfill the sexual appetite anyway I choose.  He also says if I am married and am not satisfied that I can choose another.  You think your master is still great?  Okay. Let's examine the fruits of following each.

We are all going to die one day.  Does your master tell you anything about this? What about an eternal life? Does your master always tell you the truth?  Mine tells me the truth, and that it will set me free. Does yours ever mention to you anything about being free?

The one I serve says we should love one another and even our enemies.  What does yours say about love?  Mine created love and is love.  Does it upset you that we have in this country so many families that are torn apart because of the sexual appetites your master tempts us with? What is the product of this?  Would we have the problems of crime, murders, addictions, hatred, greed, lying, etc. in this country today if they followed your master or mine? When we follow your master, our ending will be the same,  but when we follow my master, no matter how rebellious we have been, He is waiting for us to repent and follow Him.  We may have consequences of our past life that will still be with us, but He guarantees us a better ending.  Also, if we follow my master and obey His way for living our lives, we will have stronger families, communities, and He will bless us with a stronger nation.

Your master tried to deceive the Son of my master by promising Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.  My master's Son loved His Father too much to be deceived by your master. He told him,  Away with you, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall love the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve.  (Matthew 4:8-10, NKJV)  He also tells me that I cannot serve two masters. I will hate one and love the other, or else I will be loyal to the one and despise the other. (Matthew 6:24)

I hope you now know who my master is and who yours is, if you are a slave to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.  Do not love the world or the things in the world.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world-the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life-is not in the Father but is of the world.  And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God  abides forever.  (1 John 2:15-17, NKJV)

I am not trying to win an argument.  I just do not want any of my family or anyone of you to be deceived into following the world instead of the God who created us.  Who are you really following? Does he love you? God has already proven His love for you.  What has Satan ( the world) done for you?

I am just one voice. Alone I am just like one drop of rain in the ocean, but with many drops together and with God, we can be the ocean.  I am a Christian and I don't want to try to serve two masters.  God is the master I want to serve.  The choice is yours.  Who do you submit to and serve?

LGBT community and the rest of humanity, we are all sinners. I do not like you pushing your servitude of sin on me, my children, my grandchildren and my Lord's church. We can choose to follow God and His plan of salvation through His Son, or we may choose to neglect that great salvation.  It is our choice.  I care about souls and the souls of all.  Please if you want to contact me send me an email to:www.rhepler52@gmail.com  FB friends if you want to be a part of this letter please like or share on Facebook.


For me and my family, I choose to serve God and keep His commandments. He who is in me is greater than he who is in the world. (1 John 4:4)  I want God to be my master and I want to love Him will all my heart, soul, mind and strength.  What about you?

Thanks for reading and sharing.

Rick Hepler

What is Your "Yes But..."? Part 2

They were promised a land flowing with milk and honey.  All they had to do was go take it.  They viewed their opposition as too large, and the God who promised the land as too small, to guide them in possessing it. The result in not believing in the God of all creation was wandering for forty years in the wilderness, dying in that wilderness and causing their children to wander with them. The "but" of Numbers 13:31-33 defeated them and the congregation of God's people before they even tried.  Be careful of the "but", you interject into someone's thinking.

Ignoring negative "buts" from someone who has never tried, will move you toward fulfillment of your God given gifts. Listen to God and not man. Learn His will by studying His word and asking Him in faith to give you wisdom from above with the strength and courage to carry it out.  You may be the one to keep others from wandering in a wilderness of despair and hopelessness.  Let me give you an example of what I am talking about below.

God will not use the strongest, the fastest, the most experienced, the oldest, the most intelligent, nor the wealthiest, etc. to lead His people,  but He will use the ones who love Him, trust Him, and obey Him from the heart.  Please read Acts 13:22 and 1 Samuel 13:14.  God sought a man after His own heart who would do all His will.  This man was the young shepherd boy, David.  I go into detail how David became a man after God's own heart in my book, The Heart Behind the Stone: Develop a Giant Slaying Heart.

David did not let the negative "buts" stop him from trusting and serving the God of his people.  His father, Jesse the Bethlehemite, sent young David to carry provisions to his brothers and to the captain of their thousand, who were fighting against the Philistine army.  This is found in 1 Samuel 17.  David left early in the morning for the camp of the Israelite army.  He had no idea what the day would bring him.  Just like he had no idea why Samuel called him in  and anointed him as the next king of Israel.  The one thing he knew for certain was, there was a God in Israel and he loved Him, trusted in Him, and believed in Him.  God had already proven to young David that He was with him, when He delivered him from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear.( verse 37) At a young age, David was giant ready to take on anything for the God of Israel.

As David came and greeted his brothers, the Philistine champion, Goliath the giant, again issued a challenge to the armies of Israel. He challenged them to send their champion to fight with him. If their champion killed him, the Philistines would serve them, or if Goliath killed their champion the children of Israel would serve the Philistines.  For forty days, morning and evening, he made this challenge and every time all the men of Israel would flee from him and were dreadfully afraid.

David heard the challenge and asked," What shall be done to the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that should defy the armies of the living God?"  David then decides to be the man. He tells Saul, "Let no man's heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.

Now let us get to the discouraging negative "buts" coming from the army of Israel, including family, soldiers, the king, and Goliath himself.

Negative buts...

• And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him and were dreadfully afraid.
• Who did you leave with those few sheep? I know your pride and insolence.
• You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; you are but a youth.
• He is a man of war from his youth.
• Saul then clothed David with his armor and weapon.
• The Philistine said, "Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beast of the field.

Positive buts...

• The Lord has delivered me out of the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear.
• He will deliver me from this Philistine.
• He put aside the traditional armor of warfare and picked up his tested sling and staff.
• He chose five smooth stones and put them in his bag.
• This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you and give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and wild beast of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.

Goliath was positive and had confidence, but his confidence was from his experience and man.  David's confidence was from God. He knew what God could do, and he loved God and wanted to serve and honor Him.

If David had followed the negative "buts", this story would not be worth repeating.  It would just be as depressing as the evening news.  "But", David followed God. Look at the regained courage he gave the army of Israel. Instead of hiding, they were chasing the enemy.  Through God's wisdom this true story has been protected all the ages for our encouragement as well as for God's people back then.

Remember, David had his faults.  He was flesh like you and I.  When he sinned and was made aware of it, he prayed for a clean heart and steadfast spirit.(Psalm 51)  Though he had many trials in his life, he continued his love, faith, and trust in God.

 How does this help you and me today?  If we build our faith as David, we can over come the negative "buts" of the world and live a purposeful life in God's service helping and encouraging others to do the same.

Some negative "buts" of today...

• But Christians are becoming a minority.
• But they are hateful to us and calling us right wing radicals.
• But they have taken prayer out of schools.
• But I am poor and I can't do anything about our society.
• But I am chronically ill and can't help anyone.
• But I...... . You fill in the blanks.

What are these accomplishing?  What words of encouragement do these "buts" bring? Any solutions found in these negative "buts"?

Now what about a few of these positive "buts"...

• I will fear no evil; for You are with me.
• But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.
• "But on this one I will look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word."
• If God is for us, who can be against us?
• Nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God.
• Do not worry, but seek ye first the kingdom of heaven and all these things shall be added to you.
• You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
• The effective prayer of a righteous man avails much.
• For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you or forsake you".

Whatever your dream is, if it will bless people, and honor God, go after it with all your might.  Have the giant ready faith of David the shepherd boy.  Yes, we do live in troublesome times. Don't say you are not able to do anything to help. Even if you are on your sick bed, you can pray fervently for the brethren. Remember our Father in Heaven is the Sovereign God over all heaven and earth.  We do not handle the world's problems by vengeance and might. We live like Christ and abstain from every appearance of evil.  The battle we have is unseen. We each need to study and apply Ephesians 6:10-18 to fight against the wiles of the devil.

Encourage people to do right by living right.  How will our lives change if we ask God to help us overcome the negative "buts" in our lives?

Thanks for reading.

Please send your comments to rhepler52@gmail.com  or share on Facebook.

Thanks,

Rick