Love That Never Fails

83. The Lord Is My Shepherd

If we were to do a survey asking people to name what they consider to be the 'most read psalm in the Bible', I'm quite sure that Psalm 23 would be the highest scoring response! Widely referenced at funeral services and memorised by people of all ages, it certainly has been most beloved. Despite being just six verses long, one of David's shortest psalms, it has brought comfort and hope to countless thousands around the world! Let's take a close look and see why:

'The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.'

How we all need a shepherd to guide us! David knew this, as his first occupation was shepherding his father's sheep. He knew how those wayward animals depended on him for their life! Jesus referred to us as sheep and of course He is the ultimate Shepherd!

"When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd."
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭9:36‬ ‭NIV‬‬

All we need to do is remember to trust Jesus to be our shepherd because then we will have everything we need!

'He makes me lie down in green pastures,'

Sometimes we don't like to stop and take a break, we push ourselves until we are forced to stop, making ourselves ill in the process! Our Shepherd knows that our minds and bodies need rest —He made us and He knows our breaking point. He loves us so much that He doesn't want us to get to that point! During the pandemic, many people came to realise just how much they needed a break from their busy schedules, as right across the world, everything began to shut down.  As everything returned to normal, perhaps we have all learned to let Jesus take us to those green pastures often!

'he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.'

In those green pastures, the Shepherd leads us to a place where we are nourished and refreshed, at soul level! We are all great at remembering to hydrate with most people carrying water in bottles to sip from wherever they go, however we can get too busy to drink in the Word of God, sometimes looking for refreshment from other sources. Our deepest thirst can only be filled by Jesus —He is the only One who refreshes our soul!

'He guides me along the right paths for his name's sake.'

When we follow Jesus as our Shepherd, He guides us and takes us along the paths in life that are ultimately the best for us, bringing honour to His Name. He shows us the way to the Father:

"Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
‭‭John‬ ‭14:6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Despite choosing to follow Jesus, we can sometimes find ourselves walking in places that are difficult and painful:

'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.'

Throughout this difficult year, it has been so good to know that the Lord has been with us! It's been scary at times but even in the deepest valley, He is there and we can take comfort knowing that He fights off the enemy for us.

Even in the midst of the battle, Jesus still provides for us:

'You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.'

How special to have the honour of being anointed with oil by the Lord himself just as a host would anoint his guests with fragrant oil on their arrival. He generously fills us to the point of overflowing —a wonderful picture of God's blessing, not just at the moment of anointing but throughout our lives. We are blessed throughout our entire lives through the anointing of the Holy Spirit, to the point where our cup overflows!

'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.'
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭23:1-6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Not only are our current needs met in Jesus our Shepherd, we can be sure that our future outlook is always going to be bright, as His goodness and love follow us all the days of our lives! That is a wonderful promise to remember in the midst of this pandemic —and there's more! Those who choose Jesus as their Shepherd are secure for all eternity, dwelling in the Lord's house forever! Nothing could be better than that!

Let's pray:

Heavenly Father,

Thank You so much for sending Jesus to be my Shepherd. Just reading this psalm again makes me feel so loved, safe and secure. You truly have provided everything I need for this life and the next!

Lord I pray for those who are walking in dark valleys right now. Many are experiencing depression as a result of everything that has happened this year. May they know Your loving presence and may they trust You to keep them safe and finally see the light again.

Please bless our world at this difficult time. They so need to know Jesus! Please help me to speak up and take time to tell people about the difference He makes.

Thank You that my present and future is totally secure in Jesus, His goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever!

Amen.