The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:

he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul:

he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

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.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:

thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

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.

The Shepherd’s Provision

Psalm 23 is intricately tied to death. I’m sure many of you have heard it recited at a funeral or graveside. Yet, when you carefully read Psalm 23 you find that is more about life.  “The Lord is my shepherd,” here and now.  I love the emphasis on “my” shepherd.  It speaks to devotion and commitment.  The Lord is not a shepherd but my shepherd.  

The Shepherd’s Guidance

Many places we find ourselves appear dark and dangerous.  Yet, we must remember that the Shepherd is with us and we must allow the shepherd to guide us.  A restless and agitated flock of sheep never does well.  Same is true for people.   Allow the Shepherd to make you lie down in green pastures, sit beside still waters, refresh your soul, and guide you along the right paths for His name’s sake. 

The Shepherd’s Presence

I love how Psalm 23 provides contrast.  The Shepherd allows you to lack for nothing.  He leads to green pastures, still waters, and refreshes your soul.  He leads down paths of righteousness.

Yet, God’s goodness does not negate the fact that sheep also travel through the valley of the shadow of death and live in the presence of enemies. Those who don’t have a deep, meaningful relationship with the Shepherd believe the lie that you can’t have mountain tops and valley lows.  Yet, this is simply not true. For those of us who know the truth of the Shepherd’s presence have experienced God shepherd us through the ups and downs.  

David, the psalm writer, says in verse six, “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.”

David knows that his devotion toward God will fluctuate. His own faithfulness will wax and wane.  This is in great contrast to the trustworthiness and faithfulness of God. God’s love for His sheep is ever strong and steadfast.  The relationship between David and the Lord will last “forever.” 

Well, how can that be? The New Testament gives us greater detail.  In John 10:11-13, Jesus says, 

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.”

Jesus died so his sheep may live.  Jesus rose from the dead so his sheep may live forever.

May the Lord be your shepherd.  May the Lord be with you as you walk through the valley of the shadow of death.  May you dwell with the Lord forever.