The Good Shepherd

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” (Psalm 23:1-3)

Psalm 23 is a well-known and well-loved psalm in the Bible. It is often read in funeral rites in America, and oftentimes its deep meaning is lost in traditional church service readings.The psalm, written by King David who was once a shepherd boy, speaks of God’s undying love for us. He is our shepherd who never fails to give us our daily bread, lead us through life, grant us rest, and protect us. He is our able provider, guide, comforter, and protector all rolled into one. Isn’t that wonderful?

And just like a good shepherd who is willing to risk his life to save his flock from harm (e.g. attacks of wild animals), Jesus Christ is all-powerful, ever-present, and more than willing to shield us from anything and everything that will cause us pain and discomfort. Psalm 23:4 states: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.“

There are no apt words to describe the kind of comfort the Lord freely gives to those who love and obey Him. His comforting power goes beyond description; those who have personally experienced it can only testify that God’s stubborn love — He loves us even though we are sometimes unfaithful to Him — grants peace that surpasses all human understanding.

Maybe you find yourself in the midst of trouble, deep as a valley, in the middle of figurative wild animals ready to devour you. Take heart. Psalm 23 says that as we walk through the valley of distress, we will not be lost in the valley, but get safely to the mountain of bounty on the other side of it. The Lord, the good shepherd, will convoy His sheep (us) through the valley. There is no fear of evil for those who put their complete trust in the Lord.

In John 10:7-10, we read: “Therefore Jesus said again, ‘I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

Today, let’s draw closer to Jesus Christ, the True Shepherd Who will never leave us nor forsake us. (Photo by Jay-Ann Redondo)