“The Lord (Law) is my Shepherd.”
Dear Friends
Divine Science is a practical teaching. And as we participate in the classes, and attend Sunday Services, the principles of Life begin to be understood. The next step is putting these universal spiritual principles into practice.
Initially our understanding may be intellectual; we begin to resonate with the Teaching as a way to truly live life; and then we move beyond to where we embrace what we learn by applying it in our daily lives.
I am sure you all know the words of possibly the most well-known, and referred to, psalm: Psalm 23.
The whole theme of the psalm, when we are mindful of the words, tells us that we constantly have God’s guidance. And for the purpose of the message this month, I am changing the word “Lord” to “Law.” The reason for this becomes evident when we look at the metaphysical interpretation of the word Law: ‘the law of God is the orderly working out of the principle of Being, or the divine ideals, into expression and manifestation throughout creation.’ So it becomes: The Law is my Shepherd.
Much of the time in life we are looking for guidance, needing direction, seeking answers, needing the crooked places to be made straight. Well, when we are working with the law of life, then we are following the shepherd and the path is clear and the way is made straight.
There are laws and nature follows them…! There are laws and mankind fights them….! At times our main struggle in life is our inability to trust—trust the shepherd—trust the law.
The shepherd leads us along a narrow pathway that requires our living life mindfully. A way that calls for us to pay attention and be constantly aware. It is a way that calls for self-discipline, yet that same self-discipline shifts us into a new sense of freedom.
We read at the end of the psalm: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” When we are guided by Spiritual Law, then we are also aligning ourselves with the admonishment: “Seek first the kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well.” (Matt.6:13)
It is not enough to read, memorise and know these teachings of the Christ. We need to implement them in our lives daily, because no matter what the question….. God is the answer. No matter what the need, or how desperate we may be…. God is the fulfilment. No matter how empty we may feel at times…. God is the fullness of Life. And no matter what appears to be lacking… God is the abundance.
Are we basing our belief and trust in a world that is transitory and temporary? Or are we ready to identify with Truth? What we see around us, seeing with the human eye, is result—not cause! The result of our human thinking and believing, about ourselves and our world.
Whenever our thinking separates us from our true identity in God, we will experience turmoil, confusion and difficulties in life. According to Emerson: “Law obeyed or disobeyed brings opposite results.
There is much to embrace and follow in Psalm 23. It illustrates so clearly, a Universal Spiritual Principle at work in our lives constantly; a way to live life.
Let us work with—align with—and be guided in awareness, as we consciously trust, with deep gratitude, the Law that is our Shepherd in Truth.
In Closing…..
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Bountiful blessings,
Mallory