Coffee With The Lord

Understanding the significance of my “freedom in Christ” as a responsible “follower of Christ” … “Though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them… I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.  I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings!” (From 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 ESV)

This psalm’s uniqueness is in its personal character!  

David, prompted by the Holy Spirit, focuses not on his leadership as “shepherd” of God’s people Israel. Nor does he even emphasize the collective nature of the Lord’s leadership and care of His “flock.”

Rather, the emphasis of this great “Psalm of David” is upon the Lord’s personal leadership, provision and care in his life…

In fact, it appears that David reflects upon the things he did as a shepherd for his sheep as a young man and applies it to his personal relationship to the Lord! “THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD!”

As I read and reflect upon the message of this Psalm I need to keep that PERSONAL FOCUS in mind… How is the Lord MY Shepherd? Do I look upon Him – and depend upon Him – in that way? John 10:3-5, 14 comes close to capturing the personal nature of this psalm as it relates to the claim of Christ upon his followers!

Thanks for reminding me David – the Lord is MY Shepherd… and He can be YOURS as well!

The Shema is a Jewish prayer that serves as a centerpiece of the morning and evening Jewish prayer services. Its first verse encapsulates the monotheistic essence of Judaism: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the LORD is one!” (Deuteronomy 6:4) Observant Jews consider the Shema to be the most important part of their daily prayers in Judaism, and its twice-daily recitation as a mitzvah (or religious commandment). Also, it is traditional for Jews to say the Shema as their last words of the day, and for parents to teach their children to say it before they go to sleep at night.

Today, during my Bible reading during “coffee with the Lord” I became aware that Apostle Paul, a Christian Jew, expanded the Shema to explicitly include Jesus Christ, the Messiah… “For us there is “One God, the Father, from Whom are all things and for Whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through Whom are all things and through Whom we exist!” (From 1 Corinthians 8:6)

I have to tell you, as a Gentile Christian who loves and worships Father God and Jesus Christ, His Son and my Savior, I rejoiced at Paul’s expansion of the Shema to include Jesus, the Christ! Praise God! Believe me, as a Christian I will use Paul’s inspired words in worship!