The Lord Is My Shepard; I Lack Nothing; He Makes Me Lie Down In Green Pasture; He Leads Me Beside Quiet Waterss
Peace In The Shadow Of The Valley Of Death
PSALM 23:1-3
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.
”Psalms 23:1-3 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.23.1-3.NKJ
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David, in describing the Lord as a shepherd, wrote down his own experiences having spent his younger days as a shepherd (1 SAMUEL 16:10-11).
Sheep are completely dependent upon the shepherd for provision, guidance, and protection.
Jesus, in the New Testament is called the good shepherd (JOHN 10:11) and the great shepherd (HEBREWS 13:20; 1 PETER 5:4).
The Lord is a good and great shepherd, and we believers are His sheep.
Unlike the hired hand, He cares about us; He knows us better than we know ourselves and He sacrificed His life for us (JOHN 10:13-14). And since the Lord is the great shepherd, and we are His sheep. We have no reason to be frightened, passive animals, but rather, as obedient followers of Christ, we can confidently choose to follow the One who will lead us along the paths of righteousness in the right ways.
This Psalm, rather than focusing on the animal-like qualities of sheep, focuses on the discipleship qualities of those who follow Christ.
By submitting to God, our shepherd, we will have contentment. But when we choose sin or go our own way, we cannot blame God for the environment we have created for ourselves. Their will always be consequences for our actions .
Our great shepherd knows the “green meadows” and the peaceful streams” that will restore us; we will reach these places only by recognising His voice and obediently following Him (JOHN 10:27).
Sheep don’t follow a stranger, but rather, they will run from him because they don’t know his voice.
Those who heard Jesus use this illustration didn’t understand what He meant, so He explained it to them: “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before Me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them. Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through Me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures ( JOHN 10:5-9).
It is very important to recognise our shepherds voice. Only through relationship with God, regularly talking and listening to Him in prayer will you come to recognise His voice.
God loves you; and He wants a relationship with you; He wants the best for you; He wants to lead you into pastures green. Put your trust in Him; follow Him, and taste that the Lord is good.
Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in Him (PSALM 34:8)!
My beloved, may this Psalm become embedded deep within your heart, that in those times of struggle, It will bring encouragement, peace, and joy, in the presence of your enemies; even as you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, you should be free from fear, your soul restored, wanting for nothing, for the Lord your shepherd is faithful to provide, protect, and lead you beside still waters.
And as your cup runs over, goodness and mercy shall follow you all the days of your life, and you shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Yea, 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. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.”
Psalms 23:1-6 NKJV
All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.
