“I Shall Dwell in the House of the Lord”

Psalm 23 - Good Shepherd Sunday

April 30, 2023 - Pastor Deb

I was told recently that for the last two years, one country has won the distinct honor of being the “happiest” in the world. I don’t know how they measure or determine that, but guess which country was named the happiest the past two years: FINLAND! The person who told me this didn’t remember why Finland was chosen, but they did remember an Old Finnish Proverb that says this: “Happiness is a place between too little and too much.” Perhaps that place could be called….enough! Wouldn’t it be lovely to live in a world where everyone everywhere had just ENOUGH? What a peaceful, meaningful world that would be.

We hear in the first line of Psalm 23, these words: “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want.” In an older version of The 23rd Psalm, it’s worded this way…”The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” Which is it…I shall not want? Or…I shall not BE in want? They can be interpreted differently.

For example…what is it we WANT? In our American culture, our focus on consumerism causes us to believe that “wanting” is a goal. The more we “want”...the more we buy…and the more our economy grows. Wanting is a good thing we are told. Ads and commercials are constantly before us telling us we need this; we must have that; life will be good only when we want and seek these goods or services, or encourage our Dr. to give us the latest expensive drug. We are also fed the idea of wanting to use something, and then discard it for something newer or better. It’s almost as if things are made to last only so long just so that rather than try to fix it…we throw it away and buy new. Thankfully, that approach to community life and happiness is now being challenged by climate changes and sheer sustainability. The human definition of WANT needs to be re-evaluated. What do we WANT…really? What will make us happy, whole, content…at peace? Can we listen to another voice…a better shepherd, and discover what we REALLY want?

On the other extreme, we have a world of growing refugees. People all over the world are desperate to leave war torn, dangerous countries, or places of famine and death. They are IN WANT, and cannot get their own needs met. Their needs are so great that they take only what they can to survive on their backs, face dangerous journeys with children in tow, and hope they will not be turned away by countries that have so much MORE. They place all their hope and trust in being given shelter, food, asylum…a new life where they won’t be IN Want anymore. We have all watched our own borders as millions desperately wait in want.

This Sunday is designated as Good Shepherd Sunday. Jesus is called the “gate” of the sheep…the one who has come to open the way for a relationship of abundant life that can never be snatched away despite the wiles of this world to distract and deflect us from God’s goodness. The Good Shepherd who knows what we REALLY want…and saves us from being In Want.

Our text from the 2nd chapter of Acts follows a miraculous event we know as Pentecost. A moment in time when all those who had come to see and trust Jesus awaited power to be a community of believers, set apart to bring the good news to the entire world. Thousands were baptized, and with the rush of a mighty wind, the Holy Spirit was given with such power that the church of the Living Christ was launched, never to end. Today’s lesson shows us the outcome of that event as a community was formed. We are told that the early Christian community devoted themselves to prayer; they breaking of bread in hospitality; they saw signs and wonders as lives were touched and changed. It brought them together in unity and peace. They sold their possessions…anything they did not need, and gave it to those who were in need. And day by day…they praised God as their numbers grew and grew. The Lord Jesus was their Shepherd…they were not in want….nor did they want more. What a picture of abundant life. Jesus said…I alone am the gate to such a life. We aren't promised a “want free” life…but a life where our deepest desire is met…and that in itself is ENOUGH. What might that deepest desire in all of us be? What might be ENOUGH?

In my devotional time this week, I came across a story written way back in the 60’s by a pastor and author (Ole Hallesby) who wrote about prayer. He says that our deepest want is met when we abide in prayer with our Good Shepherd. Here is what he says:

“Prayer is an attitude of our hearts toward God. [Prayer] finds expression at times in words and at times without words…as when two people love each other….there is something in our lives and in our relationships which can never be fully [expressed]

in words, but is experienced among those who share [life] with one another. In our soul’s fellowship with God in prayer, (he writes) there are also things which can and should be [expressed] in words…but there are many things for which we can find no words. Which is what the Apostle Paul references in Romans 8:26 when he speaks of the gift of the “Spirit who helps us in our weakness with sighs too deep for words”

Pastor Hallesby then tells this story:

“My little boy came in one day and stuck his little head into the doorway of my study. Now he knew that he was not supposed to disturb me during my working hours, and his conscience troubled him to be disobedient. But he crept in and looked at me anyway with his kind, round baby eyes and said, “Papa…I know I am not to disturb you, but I will sit still all the time if you will only let me be here with you!” My heart melted, of course, and my father’s heart welcomed him into my arms. Of course I wanted him to be with me. That experience gave me much to think about. Is it not just how WE feel about our heavenly Father…our Good Shepherd? So often, [we have no words…requests… or agenda…and we don’t want to disturb our Father when there are so many in need of His care…yet, we long to simply be in His presence.

When we pray to God, sometimes we have an abundance of words, concerns, requests or thanksgivings…other times, there are no words, just a deep need, a SIGH, too deep for words. Our groanings…our sighs…rise up when we come into his presence and rest in Him.

His story continues: I noticed that as evening drew near, and my little boy had played until he was tired, he drew closer and closer to his mother until at last, he found what he was longing for…his mother’s lap. They didn’t have much to say to one another either, in his weariness. Yet so much was expressed in the tender connection of mother and child as she caressed him to sleep.

[From the book “Prayer,” by O Hallesby]

What a beautiful image of prayer…what a beautiful image of being given what we WANT simply by abiding with our Lord through this life. My mom, at 95, doesn’t have the capacity she once had and spends hours staring at her devotional readings…sometimes reading and praying…but often just sitting in the presence of her loving Lord. What comfort that gives me and my siblings that can’t be with her all that often. She is content…for she is abiding…sitting in the presence of the one whose love she trusts completely. The one who will lead her to green pastures, still the waters, restore her soul and will guide her pathway home. She lives and abides in the 23rd Psalm everyday. It shows me that we come to God as little children…and we are invited stay with God forever.

Whenever I, as a pastor, am given the sacred privilege of standing beside someone in spiritual need…someone dying…someone afraid…someone lost in what feels like darkness and despair….I turn to the 23rd Psalm and speak it slowly…carefully…purposefully. It always has a profound effect. Even when someone is unresponsive, the 23rd Psalm brings a peace that shows. Breathing slows and deepens…eyelashes might flutter…sometimes, their mouth moves as if they are praying this psalm with me. It is almost as if I can watch them spiritually climb into their mother/father/God’s lap…weary but so ready to be caressed and brought home.

Psalm 23, along with the Lord’s Prayer and John 3:16, is perhaps the most universally known and cherished words of Scripture. If you memorize anything from the Bible, I encourage you to memorize and say often the 23rd Psalm. We could spend hours taking this beautiful psalm apart and delving into its deep meanings and truths, for it is such a rich picture of life with the Good Shepherd both now and in the eternal life to come. Yet…I don’t want to “study” the 23rd psalm with you today…I want to invite you to experience it. Just….experience…it.

(Don’t worry…I won’t make you get up and do anything…just BE with me and our God and (in silent prayer) with one another for a few moments..ok?)

So I invite you, right where you are…to close your eyes, and take some deep breaths…in and out. Let your shoulders relax and your hands fall into your laps. BREATHE. [Robin….very quiet…tonal music…nothing recognizable]

I invite you to See the child within you standing at the study door of your Heavenly Father…feel your longing to come in and sit at His feet to simply watch His gracious Love and Power unfolding to each and every soul on earth. Notice how your Heavenly Father’s eyes turn, and look upon you, filled with understanding and love. Watch as he smiles and welcomes you to abide…to take whatever time you need or want to move away from human life…human challenges..the stresses and demands that fill your days and nights. And, as you gaze on His patient love… allow yourself to enter into and fully hear this beautiful psalm of prayer:

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The Lord is my Shepherd

I shall not… EVER… be in want.

The Lord makes me lie down in green pastures…He leads me beside still waters

He leads me beside STILL waters…

He guides me along right pathways..for his name’s sake

Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…or the deepest of darkness…I shall fear no evil;

Your rod, and your staff….they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me…(I climb into your lap…and sit at your side) EVEN in the presence of my enemies (my fears, and regrets and losses of this world)

You anoint my head with oil…the oil of gladness that claims me in my baptism as your’s

My cup (of joy and celebration) is running over…. (And I rejoice for…)

Goodness and Mercy shall (and has) followed me all the days of my life,

(For I know…without a doubt) that I WILL dwell in the house of the Lord, forever. Amen.

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Let us go forth as beloved…cherished…empowered…and joyful children of our Living Lord Jesus, and share with others this amazing opportunity to abide with God in and through this beloved Psalm. And All of God’s children said…AMEN!