The First Declaration of Emotional Theology
“The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.” Psalm 23:1
Not Want – This is the place to start. The words are “not want” (lo’ ekaw-sere). Isn’t that what we all hope for? To live in this world without want. No matter what else we believe, this seems to be the universal plea of our souls. Atheist, agnostic or religious follower of any god, not one of us desires a life of continual want. We may not aspire to riches, but we do desire life without emptiness.
David sees that the only real answer to the gnawing within is the work of the shepherd. He recognizes that we are not able to fill the voids with our own hands. This, of course, is a fundamental tenant of the Way, but today it often appears that “Christianity” no longer fully embraces this pivotal confession. As the good bishop from Africa remarked, “I had no idea that the [American] church could accomplish so much without God.” My kaw-sere (lack) is removed by the shepherd, not by me. He is the one who provides what I need. He feeds. I follow.
But we all knew this, didn’t we? We have known this for ages, ever since we memorized this verse when we were children. If you or your children haven’t memorized this absolutely basic bit about God, then do it now. This is the first step of a real emotional theology. You see, we all intellectually agree with David’s statement, but we rarely make it the inner pillar of life support when our emotions send us down the path of empty desires. We have a God of propositions, a God of shepherd-theory, not a God who picks us up and actually carries us to green pasture. Most of the time, we entertain a God who we believe knows how to help, but seems unwilling to do so. And why should He? We are too quick to take care of ourselves.
Notice the implication of the insightful verse. God provides, but my lack of want is not based on His provision. It is based on the fact that He is the shepherd, even if He does not provide now. I declare that I will not want, that I will not succumb to the heresy of doubting the benevolence of God, even if today I am hungry. Why? Because I am filled by who He is, not what He does. He is my shepherd and since that is true, I can follow Him through some pretty terrible places knowing that He will always be the shepherd.
I will not be seduced by religious theory. I want a God who holds me in his arms when I cry, who shelters me when the storms howl, who sets that table before me when my enemies are ready to attack and who loves me even when I fail. But most of all, I want to know that He is the shepherd even when I can’t see Him through life’s tragic fog.
My wants are deep. As I write these words, I feel them tugging at my soul. Loneliness. Discouragement. Disappointment. Failure. Hopelessness. Confusion. Angst. The caverns of human plight are dark, foreboding and cold. I cannot survive them without the real, live, present Shepherd. If God cannot care for my emotions, then I will forever be lacking. Life is more than health and wealth, isn’t it?
Do you have a Shepherd or do you merely acknowledge a God of shepherd-theory while you run off to the therapist or the prayer group?
Topical Index: shepherd, Psalm 23:1, not want, lo’ ekaw-sere
The original version of this Today’s Word was published on 1 January 2006. For a complete look at the verses of the 23rd Psalm as they appeared in Today’s Word, click here.
I may be opening Pandora’s box here, but there is a one-liner in today’s word that hit me like a 2 by 4:
Do you have a Shepherd or do you merely acknowledge a God of shepherd-theory while you run off to the therapist or the prayer group?
I have been believing for the Lord to set me free from what I have to suppose is a depression related to all the abandonment I’ve experienced over the last 4 1/2 years. I have finally come to the conclusion that even changing ‘stuff’ AROUND me won’t change me on the inside – it has to be something soverign on God’s part. I continue to wait and believe for the rescue to happen. It has been a long and painful time and I know, with certainty, that I am unable to fix me.
However, my life is becoming so crippled that I have begun seeing a Christian counselor only in the last month and throughout this entire time of nearly 5 years, I have regularly attended a womens’ meeting. I wouldn’t call it a Bible study or a prayer meeting but a time spent honoring the Lord and one where He is allowed rule and reign. Each meeting is different and it has become, I suppose, my church.
This devotional you posted today was written a while ago and I am able to identify with all the ‘wants’ that you mentioned – Loneliness. Discouragement. Disappointment. Failure. Hopelessness. Confusion. Angst. But while I wait for the Lord’s rescue plan to kick in, emotionally I am not able to overcome and have need for these women and for the healthy oupouring that the counselor is providing. I have no other connection to the church aside from them and they appear to be the only ones who will walk with me through this.
I understood your intentions: that these things not become a substitute for the will or provision of God. Many of us, however, may simply need the support in the long interim, especially if there is no other place that provides it.
There is something inside me that believes wholeheartedly for a miracle intervention from the Lord. He has always seemed to work that way with me in the 36 years I have walked with Him. But I dare not negate a Tuesday morning meeting or a Tuesday afernoon session as a vessel of that miracle, either.
Caroldopray……I hear your cry…it is the cry of your heart. I am familiar with this place. I spent a number of years in what is known as “the dark night of the soul”….a number of circumstances, events, and other helped to bring me there. All this to say…you are heard by me and this community who continue to demonstrate the love of Christ. I see nothing but tender words written in response to your plea. I have prayed for you daily since your first sharing last week and I continue today. I make petition that you not allow the enemy to consume your thoughts or actions. The only way to overcome is immersion in the Word of God and in His due time He will make known to you Himself not necessarily His way. I had for many a night and day spent time in a fetal positon using the Word of God on my lips to deliver me. It was Christ and His Word…not friends, not counselors that brought forth the healing. I had only a very few intimate friends who could stay the course while in that season and a Christian counselor along with a medical doctor and even a pshyciatrist. It was God Himself Who caused me to look at Him and He did His will with me. It matters not the number of years spent with God and it matters not what we have done in His name. Jesus is all that matters and He cares deeply for you! I believe in the power of prayer and the fact that we can breathe alone is His miracle intervention. I will continue to stand in the gap and against the wiles of the enemy on your behalf. I will plead the blood of Jesus and without having to see, I will believe that He will bring forth His perfect plan and all that concerns you. You are not alone…You are loved…..I pray you stay in community in Jesus Name. AMEN
Just to add a note of support for prayer groups. I belong to a Christ-centered, ecumenical prayer group which gives praises to God and serves to remind all of us of the Biblical promises of our Almighty Father in the area of suffering and growth in our lives. I joined before my husband died of cancer and I continue to join the cancer survivors and caretakers to prayerfully live through the individual situations. To God be the glory!
“The LORD is my shepherd.. “He’s all that I need.” This was a “misquote” from the mouth of a small child. And yes, we remember His words..”out of the mouth of babes..” To “caroldopray” I would refer you to His promise, “If you seek me with all your (broken, confused, lonely,etc.) heart, you will find me.” Moses had his “G-d encounter”. David knew his G-d. “YHWH is MY shepherd.” Paul said, “MY G-d shall supply all your need according to His riches in grace by Christ Jesus” in Philippians 4.19- the “re-issue” of Psalm 23.1. “Come unto me” is the invitation our Master gives unto “whosoever will”. It is an open invitation, no restrictions to anyone. Whosoever means just that, and praise His name, when the LORD said “whosoever”, he included me (and you!). “Seek the LORD while He may be found.. call upon Him while He is near.” He is (to all) very available and very accessible. The veil of the temple was torn in two from top to the bottom. Draw near to Him and He will draw near unto you. “Behold I stand at the door and knock”- it is by “invitation only”. We must give Him permission to “enter in!” He will not go where He is not wanted.
You’re right. Therapy and prayer groups (not prayer) are no substitute for the presence of the Shepherd, but that doesn’t mean that we don’t need them sometimes. Stick with those who are helpers.
But I have one other suggestion. Part of the Greek view of the world is the idea that the solution to my problem comes from within, that I need a mental-spiritual adjustment in order to “feel” better. The Hebrew view, and I believe God’s view, is very different. It says that what I need to do is righteousness. I need to be actively engaged in helping others, not trying to take care of my own situation. My feelings change when I DO righteousness, not when I meditate and contemplate my own circumstances. So, if I want to see the hand of the Shepherd in my life, I go rescue some lost sheep. If I want a table set before me, I go feed someone who needs nourishment. If I want to walk through the valley, I lead someone else out of darkness. If I want my cup to run over, I fill someone else’s cup to the brim. I DO SOMETHING, and then God shows up and things start changing for me.
The orientation of the Bible is agape – benevolence toward others at cost to myself. When I practice righteousness, God partners with me. Suddenly I discover that my situation has changed because I am where I belong, right next to Him.
Remember the question: “Where are you?”
This is something I do – reaching out to others, when I’m in school. I’m not in school this summer and the summer has been very tough.
The lost sheep that need rescuing have been hurt by my ex-husband’s ministry. We are all over the map in this area and I have noplace to send them but to the Lord. Like me, they are untrusting of churches and ministries and pastors and I have spent the last four years trying to encourge them to trust the Lord. It is a fieldmine of bitterness and anger and I have been picking up on it. There are very honestly few places to pour myself out to without all my labels following me.
“She was one of them.” “She was a pastor’s wife.” “She was kicked out of her church.”
This is why I have to move. I am blackballed and not trusted. The college arena, on the other hand, is like another country, and a far kinder one to its citizens.
In looking back over what I wrote earlier and the responses to it , I sound like a pitiful creature. A real jerk, actually.
There’s nothing this side of sin that I haven’t done during this season. All I can say is that there is a new crippling now that I never had before because, I think, of two decisions that I was forced to make over the last couple of months.
I am sorry for making any pleas to you guys and thinking you would understand what is going on without knowing what has already gone on. Consider this my last comment and I will back off.
Carol …. our sister!
You continue to hope and pray for that miracle because He is awesome and a worker of wonders!
Forget about being a pitiful creature …. this is the adversary working against you! I for one have been in that pitiful state.
You reach out when and as often as you feel the need too and I pray that someone always lifts you up! I am certain that there are many many prayers being raised up for you by the community!
Stand fast in the faith of His worthiness alone. There is nothing that He can’t heal!
Praise Yeshua HaMashiach …. our King, Deliverer, Lord and G_D!
Caroldopray, (a great id), Your honest & open evaluation of your situation and your dessire for the Lord caught my heart’s & eye’s attention. I spent most of Sunday afternoon and evening studying & writing notes for my own edifiction, from the past several posts from Skip’s material. If you are depressed you may not be reading all the comments. I stated that to say that Skip is in Phoenix to teach a group there on Wed., and he found out when getting there Cyndee one of this group, was in ER.—- It is possible he is very busy out there and will not come back to these comments soon. He did not have anything on Cyndee’s condition this a.m., when several had asked for it.
I want to give my opinion on your questions. I am a three-fourths of a Century plus one, lady that has traveled many miles in the Word and with the Lord., been allowed by Him to minister mostly one on one to many many women, and my own three daughters, daughter-in-law, and four granddaughters, my one sister, 16 years younger than me, many other relatives and several
foster daughters, friends and children to all of these. ——— You did notice that Skip wrote the material in 2006. I started with him soon after he started on his DD, about seven years ago, and he has ( as we all should) changed his methods of writing and opinions on many things. ——Now he is very much into living in “community”, that there is no way he would really say that you should seperate yourself from your “community”–we live in our own culture, and your women’s group, (without a church) is there to help you. PTL for them and any group that is seeking and looking for the Living Lord Jesus! God’s Word states several times, “that He is rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” Hebrews 11:6b,– Jeremiah 29:13, –Deut.4: 29 & 30 . You are doing just that, and in the ways available to you at this point.
Please do not drop your “community” for one near satirical remark, that Skip might not even agree with now.
And as for a Christian Counselor, there are many excellent ones, and of course many not helpful and even detrimental to their own patients. You, along with great prayer and a continual seeking of the Lord, will need to decide if yours is what you need.
————–Along with saying that, I have weighed the needs of a counselor through the years, and I do know why a person walking closely in the word of God, and had seen bad christian councilers’ end products ,would say, NO, dont go to them. Even the Lord has shown me several times when I was counciling, to point them toward God’s Word, and Him through the power of the Holy Spirit, and go slow, if ever, in suggesting counciling. —
(Just a note: I have never taken money or any material reward for doing any ministry I do: even to many things I make: example, clothes:formals, baby quilts, curtains,chair covers, food, etc.) If God puts a person or family, in my path, and shows me in the Spirit, that I ( or we–my 80 year old husband helps me, to do some other types of things!) I am to help them. Years and years ago the Lord showed us, do it free, “whatever you do, do it as unto the Lord”— –“too whom much is given, much is required” now, do not think material items for the term “much is given” We have faithfully lived by that for 38 years, and really for more than that..
( The Hebrew word “Tob” for prosperity means so very much more THAN MATERIALISM-MAMMON,GOLD, SILVER,ETC.) but think about all that God has given us: life, that word, LIFE, could give us hours of study on what God has given us, and then add what comes through Jesus, God has given us. Volumes and volumes of study, and being engulfed with HIS LOVE. BEING THANKFUL FOR EVERYTHING, TRULY MOVES US INTO GOD’S PRESENCE, and THERE IS HEALING THERE! ——– “SELAH” THINK ON THESE THINGS—
L.B.
The ‘groups’ often serve as band-aids, but sometimes what we really need is that “secret history with God” that Watchman Nee often describes — time alone with Him. Sometimes it is good to be abandoned TO Him.
Well, part of my input above, has to be counciled, Skip’s comment bounced in while I was still writing to you. And then your second one came in during the same time.–Old age does move slowly! But never-the-less, old age is a blessing too. Yes, really.
Caroldopray, please do not back off. Take what you can from this group, leave the rest at the table, and tell God . Are you old enough to remember a song, ” Tell it to Jesus?” Here are parts of two verses: Are you grieving over joys departed? Tell it to Jesus alone, —– Have you sins that to men’s eyes are hidden? Tell it to Jesus, You’ve no other such a friend or brother. Tell it to Jesus alone.
I have been through or seen any of the possible junk you have gone through or are going through . What it is, no one needs to know, just tell the Lord.
I partially disagree with Skip on his soulution given above! “Doing is NOT always the answer”. In my case many many years ago, God showed up FIRST, after I had been for years seeking, searching, looking, with all my entire being, using all of the scriptures that I quoted above and more. During this time, I was also raising a large family, teaching school for 26 years, doing many “good work” that certainly put benevolence before self, and all of that. THEN, after a true encounter with God through the power of the Holy Spirit, literally being undated with His power, according description given several times in God’s Word. The bottom line, flooded with Divine love, and along with it came physical, mental, emotional healings.—— Then, I was given the ability to do what I did so much more efficently, more creativity, than I ever knew that I had, and His love was so flowing out that others were greatly blessed. Not BECAUSE I was doing righteousnes, but BECAUSE OF JESUS BECOMING ALIVE IN ME BY THE POWER OF GOD’S HOLY SPIRIT. YES, this IS ALL THROUGH ALL PARTS OF THE BIBLE, THE NEW TESTAMENT, JUST GIVES US A LOT MORE OF IT.
Then may I add, in my older years, when after 35 years or so of near perfect health ( Prior to God miricalously healing me, I had years and years of ill health of all types),– but after 35 years or so, I began to have some health issues, there were times, when for example, ( a person could use what ever books they love to read); I did many book studies, especially one over and over, was Oswald’s Chamber’s DDevotional. I memorized a lot of it, it was the Lord speaking to me. For a few years recently, I have been under the care of a group of Heart specialist. I was at times so ill that I could do very little except daily care of myself and partially take care of our home & food, but I held the book or books close to me, and reread, and reread them. I also learned how to use a computer in the last nine years, during some of that time I was very ill. —– These were times, whenever I tried to do for someone else, it was apparent all I could do was for us. It took several years for me to accept that I could not do all that I had been doing. The LORD showed me over and over that was what HE desired for me at this time of my life, and I was not to complain, but enjoy that part of life, too.
It seems to me to encourage everyone, ” TO DO SOMETHING”,( in big black bold letters) IS PUTTING WORKS BEFORE THE FIRST AND GREAT COMMANDMENT, ——It appears that throughout history, Christian groups have used their “doing something”, to think they were righteous, and their hearts were far removed from His righteouness.——
ENOUGH, I MUST GET BUSY, CLEANING THE HOUSE, COOKING, SEWING-MAKING A BABY QUILT FOR A GRANDMOTHER’S FIRST BABY. I DO NOT KNOW HER, EXCEPT THAT SHE WORKS in the office where my elederly husband substitutes 3-4 days a week at the H.S.— She worked two jobs when helping care for her elderly mother, and the Lord gave me a love for her because of that; so when she told my husband of her first grandbaby, I was impressed to make it a quilt.
Caroldopray, please read all I wrote above before your last comment, and then this one, and then DO COMMENT. I write you in the love of the Lord, LB.
I got carried away above, on the first line, I should have written “canceled”, not “counciled”– to many thoughts, and too many interruptions.
In one more day, more out of town company is coming: one daughter, one granddaughter, and one 15 month old great-grandson . Our granddaughter, Kristin wrote that he loves to talk and even speaks in complete sentences, but the problem is, you just can not understand one word he says.
I did get on Skip’s web site, and found information on Cyndee’s condition in Phoenix. PTL she is recovering after surgery–L.B.
Skip,
I feel that caroldopray touched on a very sensative and poorly understood subject. Depression is very natural for all people at some time in their life, but bipolar and schizophrenia have just been identified by researchers as genetic defects of the same genes. Doctors and people in general have been very intolerant of these people in the past, because they don’t respond to treatment as they are expected to. The people living with bipolars and schizophrenics tend to bail out or avoid them completely. Those affected are almost completely unaware of their condition and its effect on those around them. I think it is great that caroldopray is aware of her depression, and I would strongly recommend that she seek physiciatric help and medications. She is not alone, and she can be helped.
John
I wrote a reply that, when I sent it out, was told it was ‘spammy’ and it was voided.
I spent a long time writing that I had a series of traumas happen in my life and that up to a few years ago, was always upbeat and joyfilled.
I will not – cannot – take medications and don’t believe that psychotherapy and medication will help a situation that needs overcoming. Up untl these traumas, I was not depressed and I am, again 62.
I keep thinking again of Lazarus, whose life was resurrected but beause it was related to a miracle, the religious of the day wanted to eliminate the evidence – him. I feel as if the enemy wants me eliminated and I have something inside of me that is not done yet and this is nothing about mental illness and everything about the power of God in my life.
What I am enduring is a very long time of being in a wilderness and asking that my spiritual family hold my hand while I walk through the shadows.
Kelly – I hear Him in you – especially understanding.
When you know it is not your sin that caused it, it is most puzzling and you keep waiting for vindication oif something like it. I guess it is true that what I need are hand-holders.
for you caroldopray:
http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=107067236897&h=wTobB&u=b4pJO&ref=nf
Dearest Caroldopray, Bless you in your wilderness, to many times we want to just give an answer when there may not be a proper answer. I to have been in the wilderness and it caused me to realize that no man could relieve this plight. It could only be the Right Hand of the Almighty LORD and as Job found His answer in God so must we. So stand fast my sister in the Truth, having our armour on we can come out of the place that Yehshua knows we are in. May the Light of the Spirit of YHWH bring you all you need in the place you are at. As we wait upon the LORD we will mount up on wings of eagles. As Skip pointed out in the writing on the 23rd Psalms, Shaloam comes as we wait on the Lord.
If somebody is interested in learn about how meditation can help patients with conditions such as depression or schizophrenia you can read the book written by Dr. Andrew Newberg “How God Changes Your Brain.”
Or the book written by Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan “Jewish Meditation” is wonderful to help us understand how meditation was an integral part of the prophet’s lives.
I bounced over here after reading [a day late] Skip’s devotion on “I shall not want”. I was amazed to see an entire group conversation going on, based on one reader’s initial comment [caroldoray]. What an amazing response! This is what Skip’s heart was for the backside of his devotions…community reaching out to community… being a part of something bigger simply because we are all readers on one blog. God works in amazing ways.
“God provides, but my lack of want is not based on His provision. It is based on the fact that He is the shepherd, even if He does not provide now. I declare that I will not want, that I will not succumb to the heresy of doubting the benevolence of God, even if today I am hungry.”
Boy, this excerpt really challenged me to my core. My husband and I are walking through a very tough financial situation where the business has all but fallen out of his business [he has been self-employed for 6 years], and “real” jobs are practically non-existent. Six months of scraping by just to put food on the table and keep the lights on have culminated in the Foreclosure letter we received last week from our mortgage company’s legal team. In 30 days [give or take] we could be finding ourselves without this home. That part doesn’t scare me because I understand that this home is just a structure and that we can make wherever we live our “home”. The fear that is beginning to creep in and consume my soul is the possibility that we could not only lose our home but that because of the lack of business in my husband’s business and the fact that resumes go out but responses don’t come back, we could actually be facing homelessness. I have made peace with the looming foreclosure and know that it is not a the end of my world. But the thought of not only losing our home but also not having the steady income to be able to qualify for another place to live scares the life out of me.
There. I said it! Yes, I am scared about this even though “perfect love casts out all fears”; even though “the Lord is my shepherd and I shall not want”. I do not want a big, beautiful mansion [we certainly don’t live in one now], nor do I even care if our family of 6 ends up living on top of one another in a 2 bedroom apartment. What I can’t wrap my mind around, or even consider letting my emotions take hold of, is the fact that our foreclosure may not be the worse thing we are facing…we could actually be with a home altogether.
I so want to find the peace that surpasses all understanding because I certainly do not understand this situation. I am ready to walk away from all that we “have” but I am not prepared to walk away from something into nothing.
Dear Babs,
You are not alone. There are many in this small community who face similar circumstances. That isn’t much consolation, I know. But maybe this will be. The purpose of this community is to ACT according to the Spirit of The Holy One. So, here’s what I would like to do, and I hope what others will help make possible. At God’s Table has some reserves from donations. I want to make these available as I can as loans to brothers and sisters, just as Deuteronomy tells us. No interest, just use while you are going through hard times. Then repay so someone else can use the funds. What do you think?
Dear Skip,
I am overwhelmed not only by your immediate response in words [didn’t expect that]. I shared my heart seeking a community of prayer and/or a word of encouragement/wisdom that would speak to my heart. I am even more overwhelmed by your heart of generosity. I know that Anthony, my husband [whom you’ve spoken with via telephone and also had personal email communication with], will also share in my reaction. He is out for the morning but I will definitely share your response with him when he gets home. We will be in contact soon. For now, I want to use this time to pray for wisdom and direction in accordance with your kindness. AND also give our God praise for how he works and pray abundant blessing and favor upon you, your family, this ministry and its community.
Much Love, Babs
I am thanking God for the compassion that I see taking feet and doing. I pray for much blessing for you BabsC and your husband. Knowing that our LORD is not far away but close at hand and that His right Hand is not short. Brother Skip I also thank God for your faith of action. I am going to send a little extra this month to be done as the community needs.
a fellow traveler of the Way,
Jeffrey
Jeffrey, Thank you so much for your words of prayer and blessing and your generosity for however God decides to use what Skip gathers.