The LORD Is My Shepherd. Amen
This election season is rapidly coming to a close. We have been inundated by debates, conventions, commercials, rallies, news coverage, sound bites and social media. Amidst all of the rhetoric and campaign promises, prayerfully, we will make good choices and select the best leaders. But the most important choice we will ever make is to choose the Lord to lead us in our daily lives. In the 23rd Psalm, David proclaimed that the LORD was his shepherd and would provide him with numerous blessings. I pray that you have chosen the LORD to be your shepherd, and that you experience the blessings that come from being in His care. Amen
The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (Psalm 23:1-4)
David proclaimed the LORD as his shepherd, which meant that all of David’s needs were met and he was blessed in multiple ways. The LORD blessed David with spiritual nourishment (green pastures), spiritual guidance (paths of righteousness), and spiritual rest/restoration (refreshes my soul). Additionally, David was blessed and comforted by his faith in the LORD’s presence and protection, even from dangers unseen.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. (Psalm 23:5)
David continued identifying his blessings in verse 5. He that the LORD provided for him (prepare a table) even when surrounded by his enemies, and refreshed him from his struggles (anoint my head with oil). With all of the LORD’s blessings in view, David rejoiced at the abundance of God’s blessings upon him. So many blessings that David exclaimed, “my cup overflows”.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. (Psalm 23:6)
David expected that he would experience God’s grace and His mercy in communion with the Lord, all of the days of his life. David reference to the LORD’s house, was the sanctuary in the Tabernacle. It was the place on earth that God established to dwell with His people and David desired to dwell there with the LORD forever.
The 23rd Psalm is, without a doubt, the scripture that people turn to and read when they are in need of comfort. Whether in times of stress and anxiety, or in times of sorrow and loss. In moments that call for resolve and those moments of praise for what God has done. The 23rd Psalm is only six short verses and simple enough for young children to remember and recite. Yet it has served us for generations and will serve generations yet to come. It reminds us of the loving care and blessings that the LORD provides His children, who like sheep are vulnerable to the enemy and need the blessings that only God can provide. Whether provision, protection, peace, comfort, restoration or refreshing, He knows what we need and He supplies it.
Jesus amplified further on what David wrote, when He proclaimed that He is the Good Shepherd who sacrificed himself for His sheep. After recounting all of the blessings that come from declaring the LORD as his shepherd, It is no wonder that David’s final emphatic declaration was “I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” And not just David, but all of us can live eternally with God when we proclaim and commit to Him being our Shepherd. And to that we say… Amen!
