Episode 041 – Psalm 23 Pt 8: They’re Chasing Mei.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-267{ color: #515151;}i.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-267:hover { color: #e00400;}i.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-267.icon-hover-animation-pulsate:after {-webkit-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);-moz-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);}Key Passage(s): Psalm 23:6Have you ever had that sense that someone was following you? It’s a deeply unnerving feeling. As a shepherd, David would’ve experienced this on a regular basis. And yet, what’s on his heels in the last verse of Psalm 23 isn’t something threatening, but two of the most significant realities in the entire Bible. And when we understand what’s chasing him, we’ll have great confidence that they’re chasing us as well!

Discussion Questions

What’s your biggest takeaway from the teaching?

Wolves (and other predators) seek to prey on tired sheep at dusk. Where are you feeling tired and weary in your faith (or in life in general)? Is there anything lurking in the shadows that’s seeking to overtake you right now?

David’s analogy of God’s “good” and “covenantal love” following us gives us an image of God standing between us and things that might be seeking to overpower us. How does this imagery give you and hope and courage?

Despite any circumstances or struggles, how does knowing that good is on your heels change your current perspective?

Do you trust that God’s purposes and plans will never fail? Why or why not? What in your life indicates this?

How are you inspired to live differently this week knowing God’s love, grace and mercy will always be chasing you?

For Further Study

The Good Shepherd: A Thousand-Year Journey from Psalm 23 to the New Testament by Kenneth E. Bailey

Psalm 23: A Photo Commentary by Steven D. Anderson and Todd Bolen

Psalm 23: Photo Companion to the Bible (pictures) by Todd Bolen (BiblePlaces.com)

While Shepherds Watch Their Flocks by Timothy Laniak

Becoming a Judean Shepherd by Doug Greenwold