THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD
Opening Prayer
Lord, thank You for making me one of Your sheep.
Read PSALM 23
A psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 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.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 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.
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matt. 9:36).
In the agrarian world of ancient Israel, the image of God as shepherd speaks of his provision, guidance and protection. God leads his sheep along right paths (3) and provides them with fresh food and water to lounge beside and drink (1,2). This restores their souls. While verse 4 is commonly translated “the valley of the shadow of death,” the Hebrew speaks more broadly of a valley of thick darkness—times of trouble and threat. In such situations, the psalmist is unafraid of any evil and is comforted, for the Great Shepherd is always present with his rod and staff to guide us and drive off attackers.
In verse 5, the metaphor shifts to God as the table-host providing a feast, even before their mutual enemies. As often happened at ancient banquets, the host anoints his guests with oil, moisturizing dry skin, and fragrance fills the room. The diners’ cups overflow. God lavishly provides. Whereas the psalm begins with God leading his sheep, the final verse bespeaks his goodness and steadfast love, which follow them throughout life. God’s people are hemmed in by his unfailing love. So, the psalmist shall dwell in God’s house forever—a hint of eternal life in the Old Testament.
Matthew and John especially love the shepherd motif. For them, it is Jesus who fulfils this role. He is the ruler spoken of by Micah almost 800 years earlier who would “shepherd my people Israel” (Matt. 2:6; cf. Mic. 5:2,4). He has come to restore the sheep of Israel, lost without a shepherd. Motivated by God’s unfailing love, he feeds his sheep lavishly; he heals them; he gathers them. He is indeed the Good Shepherd, who lays down his life for us, his sheep. God’s people can find rest in the truth that truly we are and remain in the hands of the Great Shepherd.
Apply
Rest in Psalm 23. Have you needs? Bring them to him. Are you in a valley of deep darkness? He is ever with you. Place your trust in the Shepherd.
Closing prayer
Lord, we acknowledge that we are not high and mighty but rather mere sheep totally dependent on our Shepherd for our very existence.
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