LORD (YHVH), is the proper name of God and Roi is one of His titles as the good, the great, the Chief Shepherd. HaYahveh Roi means the Lord is Shepherd of me. (transliteration)

Shepherd comes from one Hebrew letter resh, and the word head begins with it pronounced rosh. To help you visualize this Hebrew letter resh, it looks like a shepherd's crook or curved staff. In the historical church, bishops and archbishops during special services process into a church with staff in hand showing they are shepherds under God.

The LORD is the head person in charge of the flock. There must be one central person in charge, otherwise it can cause chaos for the sheep. They may become confused in the direction they must go for safety, water, food, and rest.

People of the Book

This is also why there is one central Book that both the Christian Church and the Jewish Congregations see as primary, and that is the Bible. For the Jew, the Bible includes 39 Books, and for the Christian, 66 Books.

The Jew has One God. The Shama: Hear, Israel! Adonai (LORD) our God, Adonai is one. (Deuteronomy 6:4)

The Christian has One God. Apostles' Creed: I believe in One God [Yahveh], Creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ [Yeshua ha Mashiach] His only Son our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit [Ruach ha Kodesh] (Book of Common Prayer, 1979)

I shall not want

The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. Just as sheep feel no anxiety, because their shepherd sees to their every need, so do we express our complete contentment in the knowledge that God will not deny us any legitimate need. (Tehillim, p.56 Rashi)

That's quite an encouraging biblical promise for the world today. America has had its ups and downs, but in the past we have always been there to help other countries during environmental challenges or financial needs.

My dad was born in 1893, and at the age of 16 during the financial depression he had to leave his home in Port Huron, Michigan, and catch a train to the big city of Detroit. As an assertive Scotsman, he walked into the office of the president of the Postal Service, and landed a job. In those days, the postal delivery was done with horse and buggy.

There have been other times of financial depression in our country, including market crashes. But during my lifespan, I have never before seen the challenging conditions we are presently experiencing. Over 100 banks have failed in this last year. America is in debt, even needing to borrow survival money from other nations. If there are lessons we need to learn, let's find out what they are, and soon.

The Lord loves us

I like Rabbi Rashi's quote, God will not deny us any legitimate need. We Americans may have to tighten our belts. Many have overspent by misusing credit cards, and a lot of those material things we have bought were not legitimate needs.

Psalm 34 says to us, Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! Oh, fear the LORD, you His saints. There is no want to those who fear Him. The young lions lack and suffer hunger; but those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing. (verses 8 10)

What we can do to be blessed:

Partake of the Lord and His Word

Trust in Him

Fear the Lord hold Him in awe

Seek the Lord

God has the answers for your life. He will guide you as you give Him the primary place in your life.

(Join me for the "Psalm 23 Series" next time.)