The Great, Good Shepherd

Charles Spurgeon more than a century ago pointed out that Psalm 23 catches flame as we notice its position following Psalm 22, the Psalm of the Cross. When there are no still waters, no green pastures, no oil of gladness at the feast, and after we have said: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” then we discover in the pit of our lives: “The Lord is my Shepherd.” Notice four quick things about this discovery:

a) The personal pronoun is used 17 times. “…my shepherd,” David does not write: “I believe there is a Shepherd of the world at large.” This shepherd is his own (GaL. 2:20).

b) “…I shall not want (1).” In him we lack nothing of what we need. The promise is not that we get everything we want; it is that God is supplying what we need: daily bread, forgiveness, daily light for our steps, eternal companionship, delight, wonder and ultimate joy. This is enough.

) He leads us through the path of death and its shadow. He is with us when our tranquil world is shattered, when our dreams are drained of light. This is his path just as much as the smooth places. Notice here the change in language: David is no longer speaking about the shepherd, but with direct intimacy: “…you are with me.” What a profound pronoun is “with.” The shepherd is no longer out front, but beside us as a companion; he’s not just walking in a dark valley, but through it and beyond.

d) Take this to heart: Every valley ends for the Christian. It won’t go on forever, but will come out onto a restful place where the table is set, our enemies are defeated, where joy is overflowing at the wedding banquet. Homecoming! What a day!

Put down this meditation and ask God to show you the times when he drew near you and it became “personal pronoun religion.” Then, praise him!