Psalm 119 | Part 17 | Psalms for Shepherds

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Psalm 119 | Part 17 | Psalms for Shepherds

An audible devotional on Psalm 119 | Part 17

March 2, 2024 • Holly Culhane, Psalms for Shepherds, P4S • Psalm 119:129–136

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Welcome to week 17 of our series on Psalm 119, and we’re looking at verses 129 through 136. This stanza of the Psalm is based on the 17th letter of the Hebrew alphabet, known as Pe which in Hebrew means mouth.

I have not spoken of the meaning of the Hebrew letters during this Psalm 119 series, but I’ve been so drawn to the meaning with this particular letter. The fifth letter of the Hebrew alphabet also means “mouth”, but interestingly it means breathing, breath, Spirit, and revelation. Pe, the letter associated with these 16 verses, however, means “speech, the spoken word, testimony”.

There is so much truth in this short passage. God’s testimonies ARE wonderful. His Word DOES give light, as well as understanding. His way toward those who love Him is, in fact, to turn toward us and be gracious to us. He DOES redeem us from our oppression, He surely shines His face upon us, and He does give us a passion for those who do not know and love the Father.

To me, it feels like the real power in this passage is the reminder the psalmist gives in verse 133.

The ESV reads, “Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion [or autocratic rule] over me. The New Living Translation of that verse says, “Guide my steps by your word, so I will not be overcome by evil.” The Message translation reads: “Steady my steps with your Word of promise so nothing malign [or nothing harmful, hurtful, or damaging] gets the better of me.”

You know, it seems that we often use so many excuses as to why we sin, that we forget so many passages like Peter’s reminder that “We have been given everything we need for life and godliness”. In other words, to live as Christ would have us to live, and Paul’s admonitions to believers to live a godly life.

Not letting sin overcome us is not just an aspirational thought or an aspiring goal, but can be our experience as shepherding believers. If we abide in Jesus Christ, then He has the power, through the Holy Spirit, to daily draw us to Himself and to direct our feet, our hands, our hearts, and our minds into the ways of righteousness.

“Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me.” (verse 133)

Our Good Shepherd will keep that promise, fellow under-shepherd. He will help us keep our steps steady and He will not let sin have dominion over us. And we must do our part, as well by beginning our day by crying out to Him and staying focused on Him throughout the day. In essence, we abide in Him. All day. Every day. Never wavering from keeping our minds fixed on Christ, the author and protector of our faith. Our Good, Great, and Chief Shepherd.

Whatever tempts you the most and it does not matter whether it is an addiction or an occasional attraction or enticement you can live in a way that does not let that sin get dominion over you. It is really your choice, fellow under-shepherd. Giving into temptation will always produce a negative situation in your flock, because as Scripture teaches us sin always separates us from God, us from others, and, even, us from ourselves.

Shepherd leader, How willing are you to move from separation to community? Even with the flock you shepherd. Be encouraged to spend time contemplating that question, evaluating how you are living, if you are crying out to the Father, longing after His Word, and meditating on Him and His Words day and night the only sure-fire way that you will not be overcome by evil and that nothing harmful, hurtful, or damaging will get the better of you.

May you live deeply into your calling to shepherd well all those entrusted to your care.

Psalm 133 | Psalms for Shepherds

October 26, 2024 • Holly Culhane, Psalms for Shepherds, P4S • Psalm 133

We continue this week in the Psalms of Ascent with Psalm 133. This psalm may be familiar to many of you, as David speaks candidly about the importance of unity -the word often translated as "harmony" in many Bibles - a timely reminder for our world today. Psalm 133 How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony! For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil that was poured over Aaron's head, that ran down his beard and onto the border of his robe. Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon that falls on the mountains of Zion. And there the Lord has pronounced his blessing, even life everlasting. This psalm describes unity - harmony - as precious, refreshing. Is that not true? This psalm is really quite self-explanatory. The question for us as shepherd leaders in today's world is this: Do we promote harmony? Do we encourage unity: Is our presence both "precious" and "refreshing"? If not, what must we do to change it? What part of our heart do we need to give the Father access to so He can cleanse it? What behaviors or patterns do we need to discontinue, change, or fine-tune, so that, we are more harmonious, more unifying? Thank you for joining me this week. I pray you live deeply into your calling to shepherd well all those you encounter.

Psalm 132 | Psalms for Shepherds

October 19, 2024 • Holly Culhane, Psalms for Shepherds, P4S • Psalm 132

This week, the journey through the Psalms of Ascent continues with a song that celebrates the Lord's faithfulness to David in several ways and can therefore, if we let it, remind us of God's faithfulness to us. Verses 1 through 5 of this psalm recount David's request to build a house for God - a "sanctuary for the Mighty One of Israel". Verses 6 through 10 recall how God allowed David to move the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. In verses 11 through the end of the psalm, the psalmist reminds us that God chose David's line for the throne, and that throne was situated in Jerusalem, a city of people, a priesthood, and faithful followers God swore to protect and make His own. The psalm is a wonderful reminder of all God has done and has promised, but how do we apply it to shepherd leadership?... We need to do what David did. We need to give God His rightful place; We need to express to God our joyful worship; We need to remind God of His faithful covenant; and We need to trust God for His bountiful blessings. It seems so simple as we list those four requirements, but the practical application requires intentionality and a heart in tune with the Father. Please don't let this day pass until you stop and consider... How am I doing at giving God His rightful place - in every aspect of my life? How am I doing at expressing to God my joyful worship? How am I doing at reminding God of His faithful covenant, and in trusting God for His bountiful blessings? Be encouraged to journal your thoughts. Set a reminder to review them. Take time every day to remember. It will deeply impact your ability to be a godly shepherd.

Psalm 131 | Psalms for Shepherds

October 12, 2024 • Holly Culhane, Psalms for Shepherds, P4S • Psalm 131

As we continue in the Psalms of Ascent this week, we turn to Psalm 131. Charles Spurgeon described this song best when he said, “It is one of the shortest psalms to read, but one of the longest to learn.” Psalm 131 A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem. A psalm of David. LORD, my heart is not proud; my eyes are not haughty. I don’t concern myself with matters too great or too awesome for me to grasp. Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself, like a weaned child who no longer cries for its mother’s milk. Yes, like a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, put your hope in the LORD — now and always. In this psalm, the themes of humility and contentment in the LORD are undeniable. Anyone who has walked this earth and walked with the LORD for any length of time knows that both humility and true contentment are only developed through the trials, hardships, highs, and lows of a life of long obedience to Yahweh. In this psalm, King David shows us he learned this as well. To continue to quote Spurgeon, the psalm “speaks of a young child, but it contains the experience of a man in Christ.” I agree. And it also puts my heart at rest and reminds me to cease striving. Dear shepherd, let’s still ourselves and stop striving for self. Just as God’s Word says in another psalm - be still and know that He is God. After all, how can we shepherd well, submitting to the Father rather than self, if we are serving our desires and preferences, rather than God’s? How can we sacrifice for others, if we are self-focused? Please take a moment to… Pause in His Presence. Reflect on His Presence, His Protection, and His Provision. And whatever circumstances you face right now in your shepherding responsibilities, put your hope in Him. He is God. He is all that we need. We can rest in Him. And we can wait on Him with hope. Fellow sheep and under-shepherd, I encourage you to make Psalm 131 your prayer today.