Today’s reading is Psalm 95.
This may surprise you to hear, but Psalm 95 calls to mind Psalm 1. Remember, that psalm is all about two ways: the way of the righteous and the way of the wicked. God knows the way of the righteous. The way of the wicked will perish. Psalm 95 provides a case study. Israel who tested God at Massah and Meribah, who refused to enter the Promised Land were listening to the counsel of the ungodly, walking in the way of sinners, and sitting in the seat of scoffers. They walked the way of the wicked and they perished in the wilderness. Though, Joshua and Caleb, who instead clearly meditated on God’s ways, survived and entered the Promised Land with that second generation. They knew the Lord and they walked His way. And His way worked.
But this leads to a second reference: Psalm 23. If the Septuagint heading is correct in attributing this psalm to David, we are not at all surprised to see this reference.
For he is our God,
Psalm 95:7
and we are the people of his pasture,
and the sheep of his hand.
Today, if you hear his voice…
As we learned earlier in the week, Psalm 95 is made from the same wool as Isaiah 40.
Behold, the Lord GOD comes with might,
Isaiah 40:10-11 (ESV)
and his arm rules for him;
behold, his reward is with him,
and his recompense before him.
He will tend his flock like a shepherd;
he will gather the lambs in his arms;
he will carry them in his bosom,
and gently lead those that are with young.
The Lord is our Shepherd. We shall not want. He will lead us beside still waters and restore our souls. But best of all, He will lead us to the house of the Lord where we will dwell forever. That is our God. That is our King. That is our Savior.
But who is that? Jesus, of course.
But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice…and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice…I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep…I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me…
John 10:2-3, 11, 14
That’s our Shepherd. That’s our King. That’s our God. Jesus is the One who holds the whole world in His hand. And He will hold us, if we will hear His voice and follow Him.
Will you?
Next week’s reading is Psalm 96.
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PATHS:
Discuss Today’s Meditation with Your Family
What do you want to share with others from Psalm 95?
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