Dreaming

The other morning at 5:00 am I was awakened by a dream. Awake, I reflected on the dream and would like to share it with you. I was dreaming of David, the shepherd in the Bible, who wrote the 23rd Psalm. I was well aware of this Psalm but it hit me in a different way. No doubt David wrote it not as a shepherd boy but as an adult, possibly as king.

The Psalm not taken literally uses the imagery of a good shepherd tending sheep as there are poor, even bad shepherds now as well as centuries ago. The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want; he makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me besides still waters; he restores my soul. He leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

The Good Shepherd is God. The sheep are His followers. Here is what He does for the believer. He makes it clear that if we will follow Him our needs will be met: He will provide green pastures (food); He will provide water (an essential also); He will restore our soul (our inner life) an He will lead us in paths of righteousness (His way, not ours) for his name's sake (His reputation, not the followers).

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I fear no evil; for thou art with me. A good shepherd must at times lead his sheep through dangerous territory in the search of food and water. Thy rod and staff comfort me. The rod enables the shepherd to combat the adversary, not the sheep; the staff allows the shepherd to reach inaccessible places. The Good Shepherd (God/Jesus/Holy Spirit) promises to be with believers but does not guarantee that they will always prevail, that inaccessible places will always be overcome.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies (even if difficulties occur, a Good Shepherd plans ahead: if the grass contains poisonous weeds, or is located near a cliff, or wild animals prowl nearby, the sheep will be cared for). Remember the skill of young David the shepherd with his slingshot?

Thou anointest my head with oil, my cup runneth over; surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the House of the Lord. For ever. (RSV) The Psalm ends on a victorious note. Although there is no guarantee that the believer's life will never see suffering or illness, it is guaranteed that one day there will be an entrance into the House of the Lord (Heaven). For ever is promised even though that is difficult for mortals to comprehend or for unbelievers to believe. Amazingly, Scripture often refers to Eternity, Heaven, Paradise and their opposites. Amazing how relevant that ancient Psalm is to subsequent generations.