What’s your Location?
When reading the Bible, there are things that arrest my attention. In the story of King David. We tend to emphasize King David of Judah. Instead of David son of Jessie. So when reading Psalms 23, I learn about where David was when he pend these poetic lines.
David’s Physical Location
The Lord is my Shepard, I shall not want… (Psalms 23:1)
The 23rd Psalm is a familiar passage of scripture. A series of verses that everyone everywhere knows. It opens with this proclamation:
“The Lord is my Sheperd”
In reading this I learned where David was when he wrote this. See a lot of people believe. He was still a young man out in his father’s backyard. Tending to the sheep. Others think he wrote this verse in the palace. As an old man, reminiscing about his life. However, scholars believe David wrote this while he was on the outskirts.
Outside of his palace
Outside of his place of comfort
Outside of Jerusalem
When he wrote this telling the reader about God’s goodness, his grace, and mercy. David wrote this out in the Judean hills. This was David Son of Jessie’s physical location.
The question is why
Why is the Judean Hills his physical location?
It was because he was on the run, again.
He’s not running from King Saul.
He’s not running from Goliath’s family the Philistines
He’s running from his son Absalom. His eldest son. He still said “The Lord is my Shephard”
My problem with this location
I love this verse. But I have a problem with this verse. I’ll be honest, I like to declare the Lord is my Shepard. While at the same time, trying to be the lord of the Shepard. (I guess it’s just me)
Here’s the good news. This is what I’ve learned!
Even though I am struggling.
Even though I am outside of my comfort zone.
Like David, I can say “The Lord is my Shepard.” This was David’s Physical location. Being in the Lord.
David’s Mental Location
In reading this I also learned about David’s mental location. In other words, we find out where his mind was when he wrote this. The first thing he said is
The Lord is my Shepard
The Lord was on his mind. In this verse, I learned that no matter what’s going on. No matter what’s happening. The Lord should be on my mind.
He also made it personal by saying
The Lord is MY Shepard
For my English scholars, the word “My” is a possessive adjective. In other words, when I say “My” it belongs to me. David may have lost everything.
May have lost his castle
May have lost his money
May have lost his prestigue
In so many words, I may not have anything. But one thing I have is the Lord.
Conclusion
Be encouraged, you are not lost. You may find yourself in various places and circumstances. I know it will get better. Just believe it. Talk to you later.
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