Psalm 23
Sunday, 3 April 2022
“The LORD is my Shepherd; I shall not want.” -Psalm 23:1
The sign of victory in any believer’s life is recognizing who God is, in his life. Psalm 23 points to how David considered the Maker and Creator, his LORD and GOD as a “Good Shepherd.” Jesus calls Himself as the “Good Shepherd” who would lay down his life for his sheep (John 10). The Psalmist who understood this much before, entrusted himself into His care. Today as we read the Psalm, be assured that every word declared in it will be true in our lives provided we give God, His position and authority over our lives.
What is the assurance the Psalmist had that His Shepherd was sufficient for him?
The Good Shepherd feeds – The need of a sheep is good green pasture—something the animal cannot find itself. Vs 2 says “He makes me lie down in green pastures.” The shepherd knows the need to feed and refresh his sheep under his care. The food we need is spiritual food without which we cannot live our spiritual lives.
Our Shepherd Jesus, in His encounter with the devil declares in Matthew 4 that we don’t live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. We also read in John 6 where many of the disciples left Jesus when his teachings became hard to understand, Peter and the 12 had this spiritual insight that the food for eternal life was only with Jesus. The enemy is real, that even today, he tries to lure us away from our spiritual food.
Through the life of David we see him being strengthened and victorious as he held on to what God told him and so by faith declares that God will prepare a table before his enemies (V.5). David’s wars were physical, but our wars today are spiritual battles. As His sheep the only way to fight the enemy is to feed on the Living Word of God-His word will never fail. The more we treasure it in our heart, the greater the victory. As Spurgeon says “the enemy is at the door and yet God prepares a table, and the Christian sits down and eats as if everything were in perfect peace.” So let’s take time to feed on His word.
The Good Shepherd leads – The greatest confidence one must have in a leader is that he is taking him in the right direction. V.2 says ‘He leads me beside the still waters.’ Vs 3- He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name sake. When the shepherd chooses a path, the ultimate benefit is for the sheep. The Lord knows how much we the sheep can bear– He will not let us suffer beyond what you can bear(1Cor.10:13). Having this assurance David says in Vs.4&5 – even in the dark valley he is confident that his Good Shepherd will guide, comfort and keep him from all fear. Are the reins of your life in the hands of this Good Shepherd? If so, be confident of the unfailing presence of this Shepherd through dangers, shadows and enemies along the way. His provision and protection is plenteous!
The Good Shepherd heals – V.3 says ‘He restores my soul.’ Our soul is the seat of our emotion. But ever so often the soul is kept bound in sin, shame and guilt. Why is this so? Isaiah 53:6 says: ‘All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, everyone to his own way.’ Walking away from the path that was laid out by God has led us into the trap set up by the devil resulting in deep wounds and hurts. Is this our end? No! Isaiah goes on to say, The Lord laid on himself all of our sickness, sorrow and sin (Isaiah 53:5&6). Every beating Jesus bore for us resulted in the healing of our bodies and souls. Hallelujah! He set us free and anoints us with oil, His Spirit in us that we might live an abundant life in Him (John 10:10).
Is Christ Jesus your Good Shepherd?
Food for Thought: “My Sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me.” ~JESUS
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