My Shepherd Is the Lord: The Timeless Message of the 23rd Psalm

---

For one thing, the lush imagery is unsurpassed: The idyllic word pictures painted by the Psalmist bring with them an intrinsic sense of peace with its simple and inspiring universal message. Shelves of books have been written about it. Psalm Twenty-Three, is illustrated by Tim Ladwig and set in city streets, rather than meadows and streams. Two young children are seen going to school in safety, watched over, cared for.

This depiction reveals that it's not necessary to be familiar with sheep and pastures to feel the security and peace the words portray African American Family Press, The message remains constant. There's so much that could be said about this psalm, but here are just a few angles to consider. I like to think of the psalm in two parts: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He restoreth my soul: Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: A shepherd's first priority is to find safe pasture that provides nourishment. Here he commands the sheep to eat and rest, never leaving them to wander about on their own. It's significant that sheep naturally do not second-guess the shepherd. For me, the very image of being surrounded by cool, lush grass, sunbathing in God's Mother-love, melts away stress, and I move forward. The idea of finding "still water" is more than a soothing image.

Since wells were far apart, and streams often ran dry, having water for the sheep was of paramount concern. Furthermore, the water had to be still—a rushing stream frightens sheep, and they will not drink. The shepherd has the herd lie down while he draws water from a well and puts it in a trough, or dams a stream to make a quiet pool.

The reference to being led in "paths of righteousness" refers primarily to the efficiency and grace of the shepherd. A good shepherd will know the best path—perhaps not the shortest or the easiest, but the securest. Here's how the New Living Translation puts it: As another psalm says of God, "He saved them for his name's sake, that he [God] might make his mighty power to be known" The valley to which the psalm refers actually exists and is called the Shadow of Death. The Biblical audience would have been aware of it as a dark and dangerous trek.

Predators, thieves, and murderers hid in its shadowy areas. But the psalm claims not only safety while walking through the valley, but fearless comfort while doing so, because God is right there. The good shepherd leads because that's what a shepherd does. And God leads because that's what He does.

THE 23RD PSALM—A TIMELESS MESSAGE / Christian Science Sentinel

This psalm brings assurance that God supplies what will lead us to sustenance, in an atmosphere where we can confidently rest. It appears that David took this approach, providing strong leadership as he felt God nurturing him. Feeling comfort from the image of a "rod and staff" can seem like a stretch. Yet each tool comforts and protects in unique ways. The rod, short and blunt to fend off attackers, also serves to count the sheep and examine their fleece for parasites.

The staff is long and slender, often with a crook at the end; it serves as a guide to keep a sheep from falling or to actually retrieve one that has fallen. The staff's disciplining offers comfort—the control of love, God's love. To recognize that, figuratively speaking, the staff belongs to the Shepherd, to God, lifts off a sense of personal responsibility—or a dependence on a human organization—to save us from falling off the narrow road. It's something tangible to lean on. Think of the psalm in two parts: Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: These verses remind us that in God's presence, we're befriended and comforted, safe from our enemies, however and wherever they appear.

And how interesting to have a table prepared "in the presence" of one's enemies. According to the New Interpreter's Bible, in ancient times a man could find safety by simply touching an ally's tent—his enemy could watch but not come near. Then, right there in complete safety, a feast would be provided. The host would reverence his guest by anointing him with a mixture of olive oil and myrrh; in addition to its soothing effect after a difficult, hot journey, a beautiful fragrance would fill the place.

The Lord is My Shepherd

And the anointing cup would remain full and running over. The original Hebrew word that's translated in the final verse as follow has the primitive root "to run after. Here the enemies are present but have been rendered harmless, while God is in active pursuit" Vol.

We are like wayward sheep wandering about aimlessly. Are you in the need of His restoration, reconciliation and revival?

Come to His fountain for cleansing. For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation" Romans 5: The God of grace sets before us prodigals the fatted calf!

He gives me back my life. Remember how Jesus restored Peter after He rose from the dead? The Apostle Peter was acutely aware of God's forgiveness and restoration.

He wrote, "Seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence" 2 Peter 1: We have a gracious Shepherd who provides forgiveness, peace and reconciliation to God. Do you hunger for righteousness?

Jesus said in Matthew 6: He revives, reinvigorates, and brings the soul back to itself. Jesus uses the same analogy in Luke The Good Shepherd goes in search of the one lost sheep. He puts the ninety—nine sheep in a safe open pasture and continues to go out and look until he has found the one which is lost.

This is exactly what the Good Shepherd did for us unrighteous sheep! Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. And I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they shall hear My voice; and they shall become one flock with one shepherd. No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father" John The Good Shepherd has in intimate, love relationship with His sheep John His relationship with His sheep is compared to the relationship with His Father.

The "knowledge" is one of intimacy. It is personal first hand experiential knowledge. In verse 15 the Father and Son have an intimate personal knowledge. It is a close relationship.

Verse 14 tells us the Good Shepherd has the same kind of relationship with us! It is a mutual relationship "I know My own, and My own know Me. The Apostle Paul applies this great truth to us when he says, "He God made Him Jesus who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" 2 Corinthians 5: We have a loving, caring Shepherd who guarantees a right relationship with God.

Not only is the Shepherd the one who leads and guides, but He is also the Shepherd who is our host. The abiding presence of the Shepherd is the emphasis in verse four. When we fail and feel beaten down and done in our Good Shepherd comes to our side to demonstrate His changeless love and faithfulness. When we feel like all the music has gone out of our lives He gives us songs in the night. When we lay shattered in the dust He holds us in the palm of His hand.

Nothing in life, death, pain, disappointment can separate us from our Shepherd. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" Romans 8: Before ascending into heaven Jesus reassured His disciples, "Surely, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" Matthew I shall never lack a constant companion in this life.

The "valley of the shadow of death" is literally "valley of deep darkness. It represents the deepest valleys you go through in life. The psalmist is picturing those experiences in life when sorrow and disease, disappointment and distress, pain and anguish of the soul make the heart break under its heavy load. He abides with us to comfort us in the valley of depression, serious illness, rejection, disloyalty, death of a spouse or loved one, even the experience of death itself. Jesus reminds us there is no dark valley at death for the believer. Only the one who is the Resurrection and the Life can take us by the hand and lead us into eternal life.

Every individual who has put his faith in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior will "dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. Do you believe this? The Apostle Paul was awaiting word from Nero as to whether he would be set free or be put to death. He expressed his faith in the resurrection of Christ when he wrote from his prison cell in Rome, "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain" Philippians 1: The Good Shepherd is my constant companion in life and death.

What are we to do when the heart is breaking and the deep dark shadows of life gather about us, when the sun refuses to shine on us and our tears flow without end? Like the psalmist, we are to remind ourselves, "Thou art with me! Our Shepherd walks through the valley hand in hand with us. He drives away the enemy with His rod, and He guides us with His staff. The Apostle Paul acknowledges this and brought to mind numerous experiences and the Lord's abiding presence in Romans 8: The Lord who is all knowing can give us guidance. The enemies of the Psalmist look on helplessly while he is the honored guest at a magnificent banquet given by a gracious host.

His enemies can only look on quietly as the host anoints him with sweet perfume. Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over" v. In David's day, the banquet table was a large piece of leather on which food was set. His enemies were seated at the same banquet helpless as his host anoints him. The shepherd carried a flask of oil to anoint the scratched face of the sheep.

Our gracious Shepherd comes to us in our dire need and anoints us with His healing touch as the Great Physician. He comes with healing in His wings. We have been invited to sit down at the marriage supper of the Lamb when Christ returns for His bride Revelation What a banquet that will be! His name will be vindicated and He will be glorified. Our kind Shepherd spreads a table of abundance before us every day. God provides even to the excess.

There is no lack of provision. It runs over the rim. My cup runs over the brim. He fills my cup brimful.

THE 23RD PSALM—A TIMELESS MESSAGE

There is fullness even to excess. He more than supplies everything I need. What a God we worship! His robe is always the finest robe.

More in this issue / April 13, 2009

The joy He gives is always inexpressible. His peace is always beyond understanding. It is grace added to more grace. Grace upon grace results in a cup that is constantly overflowing. Jesus said, "I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly" John The idea is, "I came that they may keep on having life, and might keep on having it till it overflows in super abundant surplus!

I am a constant companion with "goodness and lovingkindness. They are unchangeable and constant. Goodness is God's giving what we don't deserve. Mercy is His withholding what we deserve. Goodness supplies our every want; mercy forgives us of every sin. Goodness to provide; mercy to pardon. He acts in mercy toward us every day of our lives. Through the death of Jesus Christ our penalty for all our sins was paid in full. The blood of Jesus covers all our sins. God in mercy forgives and cleanses us. It should cause our hearts to rejoice and overflow with contentment.

Heaven is a place where we will be in eternal fellowship with our Shepherd—King Jesus Christ. Jesus promised, "Let not your hearts be troubled. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go. I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there you may be also" John I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Will you dwell in the house of the LORD forever?

The only way we can possibly enter into His house is because He loved us so much that He gave His own Son as a sacrifice for us. He took our place on the cross and died in our place. Because we are radically depraved sinners it took the precious blood of the Son of God to pay the debt.

Because He died for us we receive eternal life through faith in Him as our crucified and risen Savior. The condition of our salvation is faith in Jesus Christ. The real ground of our redemption is the blood of Christ. The Good Shepherd died and rose again for us. The moment we believe on Him as our Savior He lives in us. God the Father took the initiative in our salvation. He is the source of our salvation.

• Strategic Learning Alignment: Make Training a Powerful Business Partner
• Mitarbeiterführung und Kulturbezug (Schriften zum Management) (German Edition)
• Jesus for Adults
• Catch the Anointing
• Over Rainbows