Wednesday, April 6: He Shepherds Me Beyond My Fears, Beyond My Wants

The teaching of the livable reality of Psalm 23 was supported by a little song we sang in church. The simple song included this phrase,

Shepherd me, O God,
beyond my wants, beyond my fears, from death into life.

It’s one of those phrases that I’ve never forgotten. It’s not just a song, it’s a prayer. It’s one I pray often.

Jesus teaches His followers that He is the Good Shepherd. The Psalmist gives us a picture of our shepherd leading us. Notice the language.

He makes

He leads

He refreshes

He guides
    for His name’s sake.

You are with me;
Your rod

Your staff

You prepare
You anoint
Your goodness and love will follow me.

Our Good Shepherd goes before and makes a way. His promises are sure and true. He leads His sheep and His sheep follow… or do they? Do you?

Shepherd me, O God,
beyond my wants, beyond my fears, from death into life.

There are times when my wants and fears get in the way of my ability or willingness to follow. There are days when I don’t want to be shepherded. Like a young child who wants her own way, I too sometimes refuse or protest.

There is an inherent vulnerability in shepherding. Jesus knows the vulnerability. Many times His sheep heard His voice and still said “no.” There is also an inherent vulnerability in being shepherded. His sheep have to trust His voice, His plan, His promise. His sheep have to trust their shepherd.

Trust and belief are intertwined. One can’t trust someone they don’t believe. One can’t believe someone they don’t trust. We believe the will and way of our Good Shepherd is always trustworthy. Our Good Shepherd is always Faithful. John the Revelator calls Jesus, the rider of the white horse, “Faithful and True.” He goes on to write, “On his robe and on his thigh, he has this name written: king of kings and lord of lords.” Revelation 19.16

We believe these truths are true. What do you believe?

Reflection:

1. The prayer noted a desire to be, “Shepherded beyond my wants, beyond my fears.” How does that desire resonate with you today? Where specifically do you desire to be shepherded?

2. How have you experienced your Good Shepherd as “faithful and true”?

3. “He shepherds me beyond my fears, beyond my wants.” How might you fully live into this truth today?

Pray through the truth of Psalm 91.

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
    will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
² I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
    my God, in whom I trust.”

³ Surely he will save you
    from the fowler’s snare
    and from the deadly pestilence.
⁴ He will cover you with his feathers,
    and under his wings you will find refuge;
    his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
⁵ You will not fear the terror of night,
    nor the arrow that flies by day,
⁶ nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
    nor the plague that destroys at midday.
⁷ A thousand may fall at your side,
    ten thousand at your right hand,
    but it will not come near you.
⁸ You will only observe with your eyes
    and see the punishment of the wicked.

⁹ If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
    and you make the Most High your dwelling,
¹⁰ no harm will overtake you,
    no disaster will come near your tent.
¹¹ For he will command his angels concerning you
    to guard you in all your ways;
¹² they will lift you up in their hands,
    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
¹³ You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
    you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

¹⁴ “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
    I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
¹⁵ He will call on me, and I will answer him;
    I will be with him in trouble,
    I will deliver him and honor him.
¹⁶ With long

 life I will satisfy him
    and show him my salvation.”