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Psalm 23:5b

Published by S.M. Wibberley on November 27, 2015
 
 “You anoint my head with oil;”
 
[As my Shepherd you care for me, pouring out your goodness on me every day. Oil here can represent many things, among them the Holy Spirit, protection, blessing and healing. Shepherds put oil on the heads of sheep to keep away pesky insects, to heal wounds, to refresh. You, Lord, provide for us all these blessings and more in your gracious giving, pouring out continually from your unending, inexhaustible store of riches.
 
As it says in Ephesians 1:2 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” The following verses detail some of these blessings.
–He chose us before the foundation of the world.
–We are holy and without blame before Him in love.
–He predestined us to be adopted as His children.
–It was His good pleasure to adopt us.
–We are accepted in the beloved, Christ.
–In Him we have redemption through His blood,
–We have the forgiveness of ours sins according to the riches of His endless grace.
— And in 1 Peter 1:3 it says, “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life….” ]
 
Truly, “My cup runs over.”
 
[For you, Lord, give us what we need and far more. What I actually need is air, water, food, clothing, shelter and love. But when I look at what you have given me, it is way beyond that, much more than what I need spiritually, intellectually, emotionally, physically, socially, financially and in every other realm.
 
Now it is my privilege and responsibility to share these with others, to let your blessings to me flow over, through and onto others. For example, the joy you give me should bring joy to others as I am kind, thoughtful, positive and helpful to them, whether I feel like it or not. The material provisions you’ve given I should be sharing around. The spiritual riches you give I should also be passing along, for, in your Kingdom getting and hoarding is not the norm, but receiving and giving.
 
So when we go to church on Sunday, we can go filled with the riches, grace and insights from our quiet times during the week, ready to give to others as they have need, as well as to receive what the Lord may have for us.
 
May we overflow with the wonder of our walk with Jesus, bringing encouragement, hope and perspective to all around.]
 
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Thanksgiving Morning

Published by S.M. Wibberley on November 26, 2015
Praise be to you, Lord, for your protection and provision, for your goodness and grace. We awoke this morning in our own house, with heat, light and water, with clothes, food and furniture, with your love, presence and kindness. We are able to see, hear, walk, talk and use our hands. For all this we give thanks
 
But more than that, I praise you that we can be your children, in the Kingdom of Light, in your Love, in your Favor, in your Grace. I praise you that you have taken us from being condemned criminals, filthy in our foolishness and rebellion, to being forgiven, cleansed, adopted, commissioned and embraced. I praise you that you have given us all that our hearts could desire—love, joy, peace, eternal life, purpose, meaning, hope and a future.
 
But far beyond that, you have given us yourself, you, the Eternal, Living, All-powerful Creator who is Holy, Perfect, Good and Gracious. In your goodness and love, Lord Jesus, you were willing to leave the pure perfection of heaven to come to live in the flea infested, filthy, sin-ridden violent world among selfish, evil and hateful people.
 
And you did this to redeem, at great cost, all of those rebels, knowing that a good percentage of them would spurn your offer of grace, forgiveness, love and eternal life. You are the ultimate in love, giving and goodness.
 
How can we doubt anything that you have to say? You promise your presence as our Great and Good Shepherd, leading us through life, over the hills of opposition, through the valleys of difficulty, out onto the plains of pleasantness and on into more adventures with you.
 
As we read the news and see the crumbling of societies and the spreading of war, we can rest in you, knowing that you have a plan to move all to a conclusion where evil will be eliminated, grace will be great, good will be glorious and we will be in your presence forever.
 
In the light of such truth, we can only fall before you in thanksgiving, rejoicing in your beauty and grace, your goodness and glory. May we honor you today in word and thought, in motive and deed, for you are our Mighty Rock and Refuge (Ps. 19:14).
 
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Psalm 23:5

Published by S.M. Wibberley on November 25, 2015

“I will fear no evil for You are with me….”

You, Lord God, are ever present, ever with us. If there is evil threatening, you are there, watching, providing, protecting in whatever way you deem best. If we are living in limbo, uncertain of what is going to happen, when the doors to the future open and we have no idea what is on the other side, we can be sure that you are there, waiting to greet us with the path prepared. As you, Lord, declare in Jeremiah 29:11, “I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” In you we can rest.

“Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”

Lord, your shepherd’s rod is a club to beat off attackers; it is powerful, effective, more than sufficient to protect us, for you are undefeatable, invincible, all powerful; and you have already won the battle at the cross.

And then there is your staff, the shepherd’s crook used to guide and correct sheep as they stray. You are faithful to warn us when we wander willfully out of the way: you tap us on the shoulder, or you pull us back–you guide us persistently, even when we insist on rebellion. You are absolutely faithful. Praise you for your wisdom, your love, your faithfulness that assure us of your protection and guidance.

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.”

As the good Shepherd, you bring us into positive places to graze. On the edges of the pasture may lurk wolves, bears, lions, or the great serpent, Satan. Their presence, however, does not need to disturb us, for you are our protector. No one can defeat you, no one can thwart your purposes. We can ignore the threats of the enemy and quietly, peacefully feed on what you have given, resting in your goodness, greatness and glory.

You are our Shepherd, our Warrior King who has defeated the enemy. As we remain in the shelter of your Word, your way, your wisdom, praising you in and for all, we are safe from true harm. You may lead us through many challenges, but in these you will protect and carry us through as we follow you. Praise be to you for your marvelous gift of being our loving, wise and faithful Shepherd. Glory be to you forever and ever.

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Psalm 23:4

Published by S.M. Wibberley on November 24, 2015
 “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil;”
 
[At least one of the paths of righteousness you will lead me on, Lord, goes through this dark valley. It may be a time of dying to a desire, to my will, to a possession or it may be physical danger and sickness or death. Whatever it is, I do not need to fear that evil will triumph.
 
There may be loss and suffering, but in the end, evil will not win because Jesus is already the Victor and I belong to Him.
Think of Paul in his shipwreck described in Acts 27. In the midst of a great storm there were days of uncertainty where Paul was cold, wet and hungry; and then the crashing of the ship into a sandbar and everyone having to swim to shore. There was evil: the soldiers wanted to kill the prisoners, Paul included, so they couldn’t escape, but that was prevented. Then the viper bit Paul, but God protected him and no harm was done.
 
It was a dark valley, but in it the witness of Paul shone brighter in his faith, in his declaration of God’s sovereignty, in his prediction (all possessions will be lost, all people will be saved), and in his being protected. Without that dark, the light would have not been seen so clearly.
 
As we take refuge in His love, power and truth, God does not always protect us from what will harm us physically, but from what would harm us spiritually. Then we can shine in the darkness of this world as a light house for those seeking Truth.
 
The valley of the shadow of death is not a threat but an opportunity to fulfill the purpose of our lives: honoring the One who walked this road before us and will walk with us through it again. So let us look to Jesus, “who for the joy set before him endured the cross, despising the shame and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:2).
 
Let us follow the advice of the Word to “throw off everything that hinders [our natural worldview] and the sin that so easily entangles [addiction to comfort, selfishness and security, to name three] and run with perseverance the race marked out for us [some of which will go through the valley of the shadow of death], fixing our eyes on Jesus…” (Heb. 12:1,2a) and we will come out on the other side, in a pleasant place. “He brought me out into a spacious place, he rescued me because he delighted in me” (Ps. 18:19).
 
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More on Psalm 23

Published by S.M. Wibberley on November 23, 2015
More on Psalm 23
 
As my Shepherd, Lord Jesus, you lead me beside the still waters—you give me time to be with you, to take in, to gain eternal perspective. You lead but I must both follow and drink, I must choose to spend time in your Word, in worship, in intercession and confession, in pouring out my heart and lifting my soul to you. And I can do this because you are “good and ready to forgive and plenteous in mercy to all who come to you” (Psalm 86:5).
 
As I choose to drink from your Word and revel in your presence, you will restore my soul: bring refreshment, insight, wisdom, understanding, greater faith and more praise. You restore my soul to more of its pre-fall perspective, making me more like yourself. “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory…” (2 Cor 3:18).
 
You will then lead me in paths of righteousness for your name’s sake—again, I must choose to follow. I can be sure that where you lead me will be righteous and upright, pure and positive and godly and good.
 
If I sense leading which is not one of these, then I can know that this is not you, but the subtle and sneaky call of the world, the flesh and the devil. This I want to reject so I can give you glory in all I do; therefore for the sake of your name, help me to gladly follow your righteous lead, no matter how much self-denial it requires.
 
Praise you, Lord God: you are my King, my Sovereign, my Shepherd, the One to be obeyed and feared, loved and served. Praise you for the wonderful and powerful privilege of being both your sheep and your ambassador in a fallen and faulty world, bringing your light to a deluded and deceived people.
 
Praise you for your Holy Spirit to fill, empower, guide and encourage. I praise you for your care, your protection, your provision, your presence throughout the day. May I be filled with your Spirit; may I be a vessel of grace to all I meet today; may I be a useful instrument in your hand, Lord, obeying you, living worthy of your calling and pleasing you in every way. To you be glory, honor and praise in and through my life today.
 
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Psalm 23 Green Pastures

Published by S.M. Wibberley on November 22, 2015
You, Lord Jesus, as my Shepherd, make me to lie down in green pastures—you don’t ask, you make me lie down. You select the pasture I need now and keep me there as long as is needed so I can grow and deepen, mature and develop to become a better instrument in your hand.
Joseph in the OT didn’t particularly want to be a slave, or go to prison, but those were the green pastures you had for him. There he learned to deny self, to live for you and to be a good administrator. This made him fit to save many others, including his family, the Egyptians, and the line of Jesus so the Messiah could be born and eventually save us!
 
When finding ourselves in green pastures that aren’t pleasant (sickness, disappointment, heartache and failure, to name some), we can follow this advice: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you KNOW that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” James 1:2-4.
 
In the hand of our Shepherd, difficulties are directive, problems are providential and heartaches can be healing if we cooperate with Him, lying down in the green pastures He selects.
 
A key aspect here is to embrace what He brings with thanksgiving rather than suffering through with discontent and complaining. To embrace is to receive grace, to complain is to reject it: “God resists the proud [who reveal their pride by complaining] but gives grace to the humble [who accept what He brings]” (James 4:6).
 
So, let’s trust Him to know what is a green pasture for us and join Him in what He’s doing in and through it, in and through us.
 
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What Wonderful Provision!

Published by S.M. Wibberley on November 21, 2015
I praise you that as I awoke, you were there, Lord Jesus: my Shepherd, my elder Brother, my King.
 
I praise you that this day I shall not want, for you in your wisdom, your riches, your power have already provided all that I need and much more.
 
As it says in 2 Peter 1:3,4 “His divine power HAS GIVEN US everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” We just need to learn to take it up and use it, such as learning to be filled with the Spirit, to put on the armor of God, to lift our souls to God, to meditate on His Word and to flee temptation.
 
In addition, through his glory and goodness Jesus “has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you MAY PARTICIPATE IN THE DIVINE NATURE and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”
 
Wow! We are able to participate in His divine nature! What a gift, to have the Holy Spirit indwell us, as He did David, Isaiah and Daniel. We are truly different from all other creatures and peoples because, as His born again children, His divine nature dwells in us!
 
Help us, Lord Jesus, to live today in the reality of your provision and personal indwelling. Help us to take up and use all that you have given so we can live godly lives, bringing you honor and shining light and hope to all those around us.
 
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Psalm 10:16-18

Published by S.M. Wibberley on November 20, 2015
Psalm 10:16 “The LORD is King for ever and ever; the nations will perish from his land.”
 
[You, the Eternal One, set up and take down rulers and nations, you begin and end all, you will remove the wicked and restore the righteous. Of this we can be certain, because you, O God, are good, forever and ever.]
 
Psalm 10:17 “You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry,”
 
[Praise be to you, the God who hears, who listens with complete understanding, who knows our hearts and answers in power, wisdom and with comfort.]
 
Psalm 10:18 “defending the fatherless and the oppressed, in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more.”
 
[Praise you that you defend, you provide, you guide, you protect and encourage. You will move us out from oppression of Satan wields by using our own wickedness and that of others. Your love and care, your protection and deliverance will then bring you glory and praise, honor and exaltation, for you, the King of Salvation are worthy of it!]
 
Help us to live today in the light of your goodness, trusting in the sure hope of your deliverance, whatever our situation might be. You hear our cry and you will answer in the right way at the right time with the right deliverance, whether it be in this life or the next. Help us to trust you fully so that you may use us fully.
 
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Beauty and Wisdom

Published by S.M. Wibberley on November 19, 2015

A cold, clear morning with heavy frost on the grass and a rim of ice on the water.  The pond is perfectly placid, reflecting the grasses and cat tails in exactitude. There is beauty all around us.

Praise be to you, Lord, that you are Beauty itself, full of grace and majesty, elegance and kindness, magnificence and forgiveness. You are perfect in your personality, brilliant in your beauty, lovely in your lavishness and grand in your graciousness. You are worthy of all worship, of all honor, of all surrender and obedience.

I praise you that you are the superb discerner of right and wrong: your judgment is fully trustable, while ours is so feeble and faulty, so subjective and selfish. I praise you for revealing to us your way through your Word. Help us to obey what we know to be true, to avoid what we know to be evil and to pursue what we know to be godly.

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Psalm 10:12-15

Published by S.M. Wibberley on November 18, 2015
 
Psalm 10:12 “Arise, LORD! Lift up your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless.”
 
[The psalmist now turns to you, Jehovah, the only true help, who will act to intervene. Perhaps you have not acted earlier because no one prayed for your help, even though you prompted them to do so. But now the writer prays and you will answer.]
 
Psalm 10:13 “Why does the wicked man revile God? Why does he say to himself, ‘He won’t call me to account’”?
 
[the answer: he is blind, caught in the net of delusion the enemy has set for him; he fell into this trap because he has rejected the light, the truth that God offered him. He has, like Esau, valued power, position and prosperity above what is of eternal value.]
 
Psalm 10:14 “But you, O God, do see trouble and grief; you consider it to take it in hand.The victim commits himself to you; you are the helper of the fatherless.”
 
[we can commit our feeble, helpless lives to you, O Lord, for you are our defender, our shield, our high tower, our salvation. You are the One who sees the fatherless, the widow, the helpless ones and will act on their behalf.]
 
Psalm 10:15 “Break the arm of the wicked and evil man; call him to account for his wickedness that would not be found out.”
 
[You, O Holy God, will act and judge evil, at the right time. Praise you for your great and powerful working! Help us to wait for your perfect timing.
 
As it says in Psalm 37:7-9, “Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret–it leads only to evil. for those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.”
 
Help us to be still before you, Lord, to reject wrath and fretting, to rest in you, knowing that you will deal with evil. Help us to obey you in what we know to be right so we can be a light in your hand, shining grace and the gospel on those around us.]
 
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