Led by your Shepherd

The other night as I went to bed, a line from the 23rd Psalm came to mind:  "Thou preparest a table for me in the presence of mine enemies." I was reminded of an outstanding Christian Science lecture that I attended many years ago. I believe the lecturer was Lona Ingwerson. She gave many helpful insights into the 23rd Psalm.  The references that she gave were from some actual things that shepherds do for their flocks.  Very interesting.

I will share a few of them.  

"He leadeth me beside the still waters"
Shepherds know that sheep prefer to drink from still waters, such as a pool, rather than a running river, etc.

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil..."  
This valley is an actual place, a part of the road from Jerusalem to Jericho.  Shepherds would lead their sheep through the walls of the valley, which are very steep, and it is difficult and dangerous to navigate through the valley. 

"Thou preparest a table for me in the presence of mine enemies" 
A shepherd leads his flock to eat the grasses and vegetation that are good for them, because there are some flowers and grasses, etc., that are not good for the sheep to eat – poisonous to them, etc.  They are led by the shepherd to the right areas to graze, even though things that are harmful to them may be nearby.

So as I thought about it the other night, I thought, we can be led, and are led, safely through and among all of the fearful, false projections and images that are so pervasive right now in collective consciousness, and on the news, etc.  Our trust of the shepherd should be one that each one of those precious sheep has, when they are so beautifully and tenderly led. 

This is such a comforting Psalm, and has such depth and so much meaning.