“The Lord is my Shepherd” are the words to what is most likely the most popular Psalm in the Bible. \u00a0The 23rd Psalm is recited in church services, funerals, and other events. \u00a0It used to comfort those who are struggling. \u00a0And while it is used in a wide scope of events, its audience is narrow. \u00a0This Psalm is clearly written to those who can call Jesus their shepherd, which means they belong to Him as His sheep. \u00a0David gives several blessings or benefits to being a sheep of God’s.<\/p>\n
The first blessing is that God is a personal God. \u00a0Notice it says “The Lord is my shepherd.” The Hebrew word for Lord there is Yahweh. \u00a0It is the personal name of God. \u00a0It is the name that God used to speak to Moses at the burning bush, and to others on many other occasions. \u00a0It is the same God that in Genesis 1 spoke everything into existence. \u00a0The God who created me, wants to have a relationship with me. \u00a0The God who knows my every fault, still loves me enough to pursue me. \u00a0That is the God that David is talking about. \u00a0And that God wants a relationship with each person He created.<\/p>\n
The second blessing is that God provides for me. \u00a0David writes, “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters.” \u00a0The green pastures would have been difficult to find at times in biblical days for shepherds. \u00a0Sometimes having our needs met isn’t the easiest thing, yet God provides for us every single time (Phil. 4:19). \u00a0It is such a blessing to know that even when the storms of life are all around me, God is there providing for me which gives me a sense of calm. \u00a0We see that in the phrase “He restoreth my soul.”<\/p>\n
The next blessing is the God leads me. \u00a0James 1:5 says, “If any man lacks wisdom let him ask of God.” \u00a0Jesus said in Matthew, “ask and ye shall receive.” \u00a0There are other examples that show us the truth that if we humbly ask God for guidance, He will graciously provide it for us. One of the greatest ways God has provided us with guidance is by recording the Bible. \u00a0The Bible is literally God’s written voice. \u00a0It tells us of the origin of the world, it tells us about the problems of man, it tells us how to have a relationship with God, it tells us how to live a life that pleases God, and it tells us how things will end. \u00a0Literally everything we could ever truly need for our life is recorded within the 66 books of the Bible. \u00a0That is one thing that confounds me. \u00a0We have the wealth of knowledge at our finger tips, yet it is one of the most overlooked resources. Go ahead, snuggle up with it, read it and see for yourself.<\/p>\n
Another blessing we have according to Psalm 23 is God’s presence. \u00a0Verse 4 says, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me.” \u00a0David would write in another Psalm that there is no place he can go that God is not there. \u00a0We all walk through dark, difficult circumstances in life. \u00a0One of the greatest blessings and comforts during those times is knowing that God is right there with me. \u00a0He is walking me through the situation and providing me guidance every step of the way. \u00a0If I will trust and obey, then I will have nothing to fear. The bible says that “perfect love casts out fear.” \u00a0Paul wrote in Romans 8 that there is nothing that can separate us from the love of God. \u00a0And so I can face each day with the certainty that I am God’s child and that He is going to take care of me.<\/p>\n
David the writes, “Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” \u00a0God loves me enough to discipline me when I fall into sin. \u00a0A shepherd’s staff would have been thick enough to fend off wolves and other predators that may have desired to harm the sheep. \u00a0But it can also be used to correct the sheep when it wanders away. \u00a0And I like a sheep am prone to wander. \u00a0The other side of this is the fact that a shepherd’s staff was a hook on the top. \u00a0This is used to pull a sheep back or our of pit when it has wandered off. \u00a0God has pulled me out of many pits in my life. \u00a0Both correction and corralling are done out of love for His children. Even in discipline God is demonstrating His love. \u00a0That is why Solomon told his son, “do not despise the chastening of the Lord nor be weary of His correction. \u00a0For whom the Lord loves He corrects” in Proverbs 3.<\/p>\n
The next blessing David mentions is God’s protection. \u00a0David writes, “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies.” \u00a0The Bible says in Ephesians 6 that we are part of a spiritual battle. \u00a0Every day is a struggle between our sin nature and our desire to serve Christ as Paul reminds us in Romans 7. \u00a0But even when we sin and fall and satan accuses us. \u00a0God is there interceding on our behalf declaring, “I shed my blood for that.” \u00a0God does protect His children in many ways, even ways that we don’t think of often. \u00a0David in verse 5 says “Thou anointest my head with oil.” \u00a0Anointing was used to symbolize a selection. \u00a0David was anointed with oil to symbolize his selection as the next king of Israel. \u00a0We are anointed by God as co-heirs with Christ. \u00a0Jesus’ inheritance is our inheritance. \u00a0In God’s eyes, His children literally are princes and princesses.<\/p>\n
Next David says “my cup runneth over.” \u00a0We are so blessed. \u00a0He has been writing about some of our blessings in this psalm. \u00a0But there are so many other ways we are blessed. \u00a0Our problem comes when we take our eyes off of Christ and place them on our self and our circumstances. \u00a0We need to remember the words of the hymn, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look fully in His face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.” \u00a0You must choose each day to look at and gaze upon Jesus and remember how He has blessed you.<\/p>\n
In verse 6 David gives two blessings. The first one is that “goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.” \u00a0God blesses me in my life. \u00a0He gives of His goodness to me. \u00a0And He gives me mercy (not receiving what I deserve). \u00a0So I am blessed in this life. \u00a0But David’s final blessing mentioned is “and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” \u00a0As a child of God I have the eternal security of knowing that as God’s grace has been shown to me and I accepted Him by faith, nothing will take away my salvation. \u00a0As a child of God, I can not only face life with no fear, but I can also face death with no fear. \u00a0None of this is because of who I am, but rather it is because of whose I am. \u00a0I am a child of Yahweh and I am blessed beyond all measure.<\/p>\n
By His grace and through His strength may we live for Him<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
“The Lord is my Shepherd” are the words to what is most likely the most popular Psalm in the Bible. \u00a0The 23rd Psalm is recited in church services, funerals, and other events. \u00a0It used to comfort those who are struggling. … Read More