I Want To Know My Shepherd

The women at our church will be starting book clubs this week. Last year, the book club was based on A.W. Tozer’s book “The Pursuit of God”. I learned so much by reading the book, but I know I would not have learned nearly as much if I had not had the insights of all of the other ladies in my club. I made lasting friendships in that group, and the book is life changing.

So I have high hopes for this year’s book club too. We are reading A Shepherd’s Look at Psalm 23 by Phillip Keller. I am looking forward to applying this Psalm to my life in ways I have not before.

When I think about Jesus as my Shepherd, I feel safe. I look forward to knowing that feeling of being cared for even more. What does it mean to “know” the Shepherd? How well do I really “know” him? So a few weeks ago I decided to dig a little deeper, and started digging up other tidbits I can find about Psalm 23.

I located the beautiful story below, and thought I would share it with you. My prayer for you on this Sunday morning, and for me, is to Know the Shepherd in a way that makes others stop and listen.

 

There once was a Shakespearean actor who was known everywhere for his one-man shows of readings and recitations from the classics.  He would always end his performance with a reading of Psalm 23.

Each night, without exception, as the actor began his recitation--"The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want" ...  the crowd would listen attentively. And then, at the conclusion of the psalm, they would rise in thunderous applause in appreciation of the actor's incredible ability to bring the verse to life.

But one night, just before the actor was to offer his customary recital of Psalm 23, a young man from the audience spoke up.  "Sir, do you mind if tonight I recite Psalm 23"?

The actor was quite taken aback by this unusual request, but he allowed the young man to come forward and stand front and center on the stage to recite the Psalm, knowing that the ability of this unskilled youth would be no match for his own talent.

With a soft voice, the young man began to recite the words of the Psalm. When he was finished, there was no applause.  There was no standing ovation as on other nights.  All that could be heard was the sound of weeping. The audience had been so moved by the young man's recitation that every eye was full of tears.

Amazed by what he had heard, the actor said to the youth, "I don't understand.  I have been performing Psalm 23 for years.  I have a lifetime of experience and training-but I have never been able to move an audience as you have tonight.  Tell me, what is your secret?"

The young man quietly replied, "Well sir, you know the Psalm....I know the Shepherd."