A Shepherd Explains

One reason I appreciate audio-books is as a great way to re-read a book I first enjoyed in print. A recent audio-read was A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 by Phillip Keller. So good!



Packed with the author's real life experiences in the rugged life of sheep-ranching, his insights breathe life and meaning into every word of this familiar song written by the ancient shepherd, David.

And the life-applications go deep. Such as when Keller illuminates the phrase "You anoint my head with oil" - which for sheep includes treating pests and scab picked up by rubbing heads with other sheep:

"Often it is when we “get our heads together” with someone else who may not necessarily have the mind of Christ, that we come away imbued with concepts that are not Christian.

"Our thoughts, our ideas, our emotions, our choices, our impulses, drives and desires are all shaped and molded through the exposure of our minds to other people’s minds. In our modern era of mass communication, the danger of the “mass mind” grows increasingly grave. Young people in particular, whose minds are so malleable find themselves being molded under the subtle pressures and impacts made on them by television, radio, magazines, newspapers, and fellow classmates, to say nothing of their parents and teachers."

Note: Can you believe this was first published in 1970?! It sounds like today. Especially the next bit... (emphasis mine)

"Often the mass media which are largely responsible for shaping our minds are in the control of men whose characters are not Christlike: who in some cases are actually anti-Christian. One cannot be exposed to such contacts without coming away contaminated. 

"The thought patterns of people are becoming increasingly abhorrent. Today we find more tendency to violence, hatred, prejudice, greed, cynicism, and increasing disrespect for that which is noble, fine, pure or beautiful. This is precisely the opposite of what Scripture teaches us. In Philippians 4:8 we are instructed emphatically in this matter…



"There are those who seem unable to realize His control of their minds and thoughts. It is a simple matter of faith and acceptance. Just as one asks Christ to come into the life initially to assure complete control of one’s conduct, so one invites the Holy Spirit to come into one’s conscious and subconscious mind to monitor one’s thought-life. Just as by faith we believe and know and accept and thank Christ for coming into our lives, so by simple faith and confidence in the same Christ, we believe and know and accept with thanks the coming (or anointing) of His gracious Spirit upon our minds. Then having done this, we simply proceed to live and act and think as He directs us.

"The difficulty is that some of us are not in dead earnest about it. Like a stubborn sheep we will struggle, kick and protest when the Master puts His hand upon us for this purpose. Even if it is for our own good, we still rebel and refuse to have Him help us when we need it so desperately.

"In a sense we are a stiff-necked lot and were it not for Christ’s continuing compassion and concern for us, most of us would be beyond hope or help. Sometimes I am quite sure Christ comes to us and applies the oil of His own Spirit to our minds in spite of our own objections. Were this not so, where would most of us be? Surely every gracious thought that enters my mind had its origins in Him."

A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 by Phillip Keller

Now, that's our Good Shepherd who humbled Himself to come to us as a vulnerable baby. Let's celebrate Him this Christmas!

Merry Christmas! 
In His love,
Hannah