Our great, shepherding King
The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
Psalm 23:1-4
Psalm 23 is one of the most well known and loved passages in the Psalms, quite possibly in the entire Bible. In it, we see two characters: the Psalmist and the Lord. However, this Psalm has wide implications for all of the Lord’s people.
Let’s delve a little deeper into Psalm 23:
Psalm 23 begins with, the Lord is my shepherd. The one who spoke and made the world and then entered that world, lived, died, rose, ascended and sat down to pray – is my shepherd (John 10:11, Hebrews 13:20-21, 1 Peter 2:25 & 5:2-4). Always with me and always working all things for my good.
I shall not want. Today, I lack nothing of his love, acceptance, forgiveness, goodness, mercy, grace and care to call me his hold and transform me into his image. And tomorrow I can not lack the same no matter what it holds.
The reason that the sheep will not lack any good thing is because their Shepherd constantly provides for His flock. Take a look at verses 2 & 3:
He makes me lie down in green pastures. This is present food for my soul. Today there is food for me in christ, fed to me by Christ that no person or circumstance can take from me (1 Peter 2:1-3). He provides this nourishment through His Word for each season of our growth (1 Peter 1:25).
He leads me beside still waters. This is rest for my soul. Today there are waters of peace with God bought by the blood of Jesus that cannot be disrupted by any threat of sin or Satan.
He restores my soul. This is present forgiveness for all of my sins. Today I have cleansing from all unrightousness and fellowship with God. See also Ephesians 4:17-24 and Colossians 3:8-11.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. This is direction for the day. In every twist and turn of God’s province today there is something of who God is for me to learn and something of his good way for me to walk in as defined by the 10 commandments.
The Lord does all of this for his name’s sake. Titus 2:11-14 tells us that God’s grace makes us “zealous for good works” that we might reflect his godliness. Our hearts and affections are changed for the glory of God (Philippians 1:11).
And also when (not if- all believers walk through times of trials – James 1:2) I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me. He is Immanuel- God with us. Jesus is the one with me in the valley. He has passed through to the other side and he will bring me safely through. Read Romans 8:36-39, John 10:28-28, Colossians 3:1-4.
Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. The symbols of the shepherd’s protection and care are proof of his presence with me and for me. Even though his discipline may be painful at times He shapes us more into his likeness. Hebrews 12:3-11 “He disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.” Nothing can touch me without his permission. He will never allow me to be utterly destroyed even if I die.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. God feeds me with food for my soul even while Satan or people plot against me. No evil plot can thwart God’s purpose to nourish me with Truth. Read Romans 8:29-32.
You anoint my head with oil. God’s blessings are present. If we are in Christ, we have received the blessing of the presence of the Holy Spirit.
My cup overflows. God gives more than enough for today. Take a look at these following verses:
- Ephesians 2:7 “So that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”
- Ephesians 3:14-21 – “According to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being . . . and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”
- Romans 10:12 – “Bestowing his riches on all who call on him.”
Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life – “But God who is rich in mercy . . . but according to his own mercy” (Ephesians 2:4; Titus 3:5). By these constant and unchangeable attributes by which we have been brought to salvation, we are assured of spiritual blessings in Heavenly places. as I approach the end I will increase in yearning for the unfiltered presence of his glory and “bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom” (2 Timothy 4:18).
I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. The desire of Believers is to be with the Lord forever. That is why this is the ultimate comfort for the Saints. Paul describes this gathering in 1 Thess. 4:13-18 saying, “and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.”