Lesson 316: "Psalm 23"
“The Lord is MY Shepherd, I shall not want” is a statement by David that he knew only too well to be true. He started his life as a shepherd and knew full well how much his father’s sheep depended on him to see to their every need. When God brought him out of the pasture and anointed him king of Israel at the age of 16 his life became turmoil and his dependence on his Shepherd became even stronger and the term “shepherd” took on a brand new meaning. He understood the need to “lie down in green pastures” from time to time for the needed rest to restore his soul and physical strength.
Did you know that you could over-use your spiritual strength? Are you a yes man?
Scenario: Pastor calls Mrs. Gooddoinglady and asks if she can serve on the Hospitality Committee. Mrs. Gooddoinglady says; “well I am already on three other committees but I will find the time to serve on this one also”. Sunday school teacher asks if Mrs. Gooddoinglady can fill in for her on Sunday morning and of course the answer is yes. The “behind the scenes prayer group” invites her to pray during the sermon for the pastor and again she accepts. A good friend calls to say it is her turn to “feed the pastor and family” this Sunday but since her family is coming would Mrs. Gooddoinglady take her turn with Sunday lunch for pastor, wife and 5 kids. Again the answer is of course I will manage. She asks her husband to put in a little overtime at work since she has already used up her weekly grocery allotment and needs a little extra to feed the 7 extra guests she will be having for lunch on Sunday.
While sitting behind the scenes praying the pastor through his sermon she is thinking about whether or not her roast will satisfy 5 hungry kids and did she buy enough ice cream and cookies. She is also praying that God forgive her for not putting enough study into the lesson because she was too busy cooking. But after all she was just a substitute teacher so maybe that was ok. Before she even begins to pray for the sermon she hears the “invitation music” and realizes she not only did not get around to praying for the service but she did not hear one word of the sermon. She has become ineffective! She has lost her saltiness (Matt. 5:13) and her light grows dim (Matt. 5:15)! Lie down! Eat of the green spiritual pastures that God has provided! Learn to say no to man and yes to God! There is a difference in spiritual growth and stretching beyond your useful limits. Understand the difference.