Living in a farming community I feel my heart lift with the arrival of spring lambing. It is a joy driving around the lanes, spotting the first hardy, early breeds and then gradually watching the fields filling with the happy, playful creatures.
As such, I guess it is appropriate for a recitation of Psalm 23, the Shepherds Psalm, to feature as part of morning worship in our village church.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: 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 will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
These are familiar words within the Christian Community and beyond, but perhaps something that we do not fully understand in the context of the harsh landscape where those words were written.
Comparing the lush pastures of Devon with the harsh desert landscape of the Holy Land brings a deeper understanding of needed dependence on ‘the good shepherd’ who will search out grass and water on a daily, hourly basis, and will keep his flock safe against all the dangers of the wilderness.
I have seen this first hand in Jordan, Israel and Egypt. I have a great admiration for those shepherds. This is my reflection from the ‘grand canyon’ of Jordon, Wadi Mujib. I hope you enjoy it.
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