The Lord is my Shepherd… (Psalm 23) 190208
The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want anything else, but to eat grass which the Lord provides (v1).
He makes me lie down in green pastures, so that I can sleep and rest well, with the comfortable cushioning of the pasture (v2a). It is so relaxing. And yes, Oh Lord, I need this kind of rest, I need to find such peace at my rest.
He leads me besides quiet waters, so that I can drink from the cooling and refreshing living water (v2). I am so thirsty. I thirst for the presence of the Lord. I thirst for the renewing of my spirit and refreshment of my soul. I thirst for You, Oh Lord.
He restores my soul (v3a). He pick my soul up from the pit of darkness. He cleanse me and washes me. He gives me a breath of newness into my soul, so that I can continue to live on.
He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake (v3b). He will not let me anyhow walk in my own accordance. He guides me gently and graciously, so that I can walk in the narrow path that leads to life. A life of righteousness, not because I am righteous, it is because He imputes righteousness upon me. All these are done in the name of Jesus Christ, my Shepherd and my Lord.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for You are with me (v4a). If You are with me, who can be against me. The valley of the shadow of death is a place of darkness. It is a place where I wish I have never been there. I am walking through this valley of the shadow of death now, and I can smell the stint of death. Fears, disillusion, disappointment, discouragement, depressions and even death sink into my soul. They fill my heart and my spirit is extremely heavy. My eyes are blind to the love of God. My ears are deaf to the voice of Jesus. My mouth is mute to thanksgiving. But the Shepherd promises to be with me! Yes, He is with me, simply with me.
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me (v4b). The presence of my Shepherd comforts me. The promises of my Shepherd gives me hope. The power of my Shepherd lifts up my soul. I am weak, but my Shepherd is there to protect me with His rod and staff.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies (v5a). My Shepherd gives me a treat on heavenly feast. He prepares a table of fellowship whereby He invites all the angels to dine with me. We are rejoicing and giving thanks to the goodness of my Shepherd in the presence of my enemies. They are so insignificant. They are so disappointed that they have failed, because my Shepherd is with me.
You anointed my head with oil (v5b). My Shepherd calls me the anointed one. He calls me, chooses me and commissions me with the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit, so that I can go in confidence that His presence is in me, and with me. I am so filled with the Holy Spirit, that my cup overflows (v5c). I am so blessed and filled with the goodness and faithfulness of my Shepherd that it overflows. It overflows and blesses others too.
And surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life (v6a). Praise be to my Shepherd. His goodness and lovingkindness is going to follow me. Not only for today, and tomorrow, but all the days of my life, and even to eternity. I am so grateful, so thrilled and so elated with His presence with me. And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever and ever (v6b).
The Lord is my Shepherd. Who is your Shepherd?
HHS…
Abel…
