Part 1 - This type of leadership doesn't make sense.
I'm fairly certain Psalm 23 is one of the most-read Psalms in the world. Even if it isn't, it is definitely the most well-known psalm. Both Christians and non-Christians know these beautiful verses. David's context when he wrote this chapter helps us understand how these verses are commonly taken out of context. Let's explore them.
Verse 1: David calls the Lord his shepherd. The shepherd is responsible for protecting and providing for the sheep. The sheep are weak and docile; they cannot defend themselves from predators. The second part of this verse is one that is often misunderstood. Usually, people think "I lack nothing" means I will have everything I need. What it really means is that I have the Lord as my shepherd. I DON'T NEED ANYTHING ELSE! This reveals total dependency on Him!
Verse 2: "He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters." David isn't painting a picture of a beautiful, grassy field in Scotland. These green pastures were small tufts of grass that the shepherd had to find to feed the sheep. David was satisfied with God's presence and trusted He would provide for his needs. The second part of the verse reveals the protection that God's presence brings us. Because the shepherd understands how fearful sheep are, he brings them beside quiet waters that won't cause the sheep to be scared. This second verse reveals total dependency on Him again! And why we can trust him: He knows us.
The world expects leaders to be strong critical thinkers and decision-makers devoid of weaknesses (or good at hiding them). According to the world, the leadership principle we learn from these verses is utter nonsense. A leader is a person who clearly understands their dependency on the most outstanding leader ever. We will keep diving into this psalm in the following Snippet.
Eduardo Mendes
Founder and President
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