Good
Shepherd
“I am the good
shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.”
John 10:14
Psalm 23 is perhaps the most well-known and dearest passages
of Scripture. However, I think sometimes, it is so common, that the meaning is
overlooked. We’re talking about promises from the Good Shepherd here! This is
important, life-giving information!
“The Lord is MY
shepherd,” It is a choice to take on the Lord as Shepherd. For many years, I
refused Christ. I didn’t want Him to ruin my life. I had a handle on ministry
and doing good things, and I had seen too many people who followed Christ turn
away, so I rejected salvation. It was fine for others, just not for me. I could
handle myself. How wrong I was! I saw that when things started to fall apart. Jesus
so desperately wanted to lead me, to gather me in His arms, and to shield me.
Now I know Him, and though it is hard, I try to follow Him, because He is good!
“I shall not want.”
Want in this instance means need. I am totally dependent on God. If He
forgets something, I’m in trouble. But because He is faithful, I know He will
give me all the Good things that I need. He will not leave me lacking, but will
satisfy every need.
“He makes me to lie
down in green pastures… He restores my soul.” Green pastures. Even when
there is no rain. Even when it is the middle of the summer and most of the
grass is past. He brings me to green pastures. Green grass is not only full of
nutrients, it is soft, and it is relaxing. Sheep eat their fill in the morning,
and then lay in the afternoon, chewing the cud, and enjoying the day. God
brings me to green pastures through His living Word. As I meditate on His Words
to me that morning, He restores and refreshes my soul. There is so much more to
this, but that’s a good start.
“He leadeth me
beside the still waters” Sheep are easily frightened. If they were brought
to rushing water, they would bolt. Instead, a good shepherd finds them quiet
fresh water streams. Just this year, I have been learning how to be still and
know that the Lord is God. BE STILL. It’s hard to just sit in His presence, not
talking, not asking questions or quoting Scripture, but just RESTING. However,
that “lightning bolt” will of God that I so desperately want would scare me for
sure- I am just a lamb. God says, Be still. Wait. Rest.
“He leads me in the
paths of righteousness, for His name’s sake.” A sheep knows it’s shepherd,
and follows him. They don’t know a stranger’s voice, and they get confused as
to where to go. Here, I am given a slight hint: if I’m confused, and I can’t
hear the Lord’s voice, I still can go in the way of righteousness. God’s Word
has the blueprint. If it’s not according to His Word, it’s probably NOT His
voice.
“Yea, though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death.” Following the Shepherd does not
mean free of trouble. There are days sheep need shorn, or their hooves trimmed,
or goats need dehorned, or branded... all of them necessary things, but
painful.
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“I will fear no
evil, for Thou art with me.” YES! I don’t have to be afraid. The Shepherd
is there. Sometimes, when we had bad storms, I would hear the goats or the
sheep crying. As soon as I get out there, they calm down. They know from
experience, the shepherd will take care of them, they don’t have to be afraid.
Unfortunately, I’m not perfect, and I wasn’t always there. However, the Good
Shepherd is ALWAYS there. I have no need to fear.
“Thy rod and Thy
staff, they comfort me.” You may wonder, as I used to, “Rod and staff?
Seriously?” In reality though, these are two tools that are a comfort to sheep
(specifically, -goats are a little different.) A rod is used to vindicate any
harm that comes to the sheep. A staff guides, corrects, and rewards sheep. In the same way, it can be a comfort to us to
know that our Shepherd is a just Judge, and He will guide, correct, protect,
and reward.
“You prepare a
table before me in the presence of mine enemies.” It is easy to think of a
literal table with food on it, but entertain with me another idea of “table.” A
table of land is a broad level elevated plate of land, a plateau. Why a table
in the midst of enemies? Try to picture a coyote attempting to get to sheep by
climbing up a cliff-like wall of a plateau. It would be rather difficult. God gives safety
in the midst of trouble.
“You anoint my head
with oil.” A shepherd uses oil for a variety of things, but mostly to keep bugs
off the sheep’s head (their only exposed skin), and as ointment for healing.
Prayer is our tool to protect us from Satan’s unwanted bugs, or to ask the Lord
for healing. He gives us as He deems we need.
“My cup runneth
over. Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life,” When
we don’t have to worry about troubles, sickness, enemies, or even death, we
have JOY. In Christ is fullness of joy! God’s goodness and mercy are given
characteristically throughout a Christian’s life, in various ways.
“And I will dwell
in the house of the Lord forever.” Back in the days of the Bible, shepherds
kept their flocks in “folds” a circular stone wall with a narrow opening at which
the shepherd kept watch. The house is like the barn. My sheep were kept in a
barn, or sometimes in a fenced pasture. Fences that keep the sheep in, yes, but
also keep the dangers out. With the Lord as my Savior, He is with me and IN me
at all times. I will dwell in His presence. He has boundaries set up for me- a “house”
to keep me safe.
Where are you dwelling?
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