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455_The Good Shepherd

Psalm 23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
3 He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.

4 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.

5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.

Years ago, a well-known actor stood on stage before a packed audience. His resonant voice and commanding presence held his audience. That night, he was asked to recite something from memory. He chose to recite the 23rd Psalm. His performance was flawless. With poise and flair, he spoke the beautiful old words, each word measured, each pause intentional. When he finished, the audience erupted in applause.

Later that evening, an elderly pastor was invited to the same stage and asked to say anything he chose. He chose the same psalm. His voice was failing, and his frame frail. At the end, there was no applause. There was silence, followed by the sound of soft weeping across the room.

When someone wondered aloud later why the responses had been so different, the actor told them, “I knew the Psalm. He knew the Shepherd.”

Psalm 23 is not merely beautiful poetry; it is personal testimony of trust and truth. It reflects a relationship to be experienced. And this relationship begins with one powerful word: “my.” “The Lord is my shepherd.”

Psalm 23 is central to a triad of psalms. Psalm 22 paints the picture of the suffering of the Christ who was pierced for our transgressions. Psalm 24 reveals the returning King in glory, ascending the hill of the Lord. Nestled between them is Psalm 23, the reality of life with the Good Shepherd who came to seek and to save that which was lost. This reflects God’s order, for without the crucifixion there could never have been redemption for the flock that had gone astray. And through the cross and resurrection the Lord has been raised to the highest place in heaven and earth.

David was a shepherd himself. He had spent days and nights caring for vulnerable sheep—leading them, protecting them, providing for them. Their safety and well-being of the sheep depended entirely on him. That is why everything in this Psalm flows from the declaration of the first verse. “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Without this personal relationship with God, the rest of the psalm remains for the reader only poetry, not a promise.

The world chases security through wealth, possessions, or status. Yet insecurity remains, plaguing even the richest and most powerful with insecurity, fear, and anxiety. In contrast, David was completely content, for he had a Shepherd. He had nothing else to desire. Not for him the restless anxiety and constant fear of the wild. Psalm 34:10 echoes this truth: “The young lions suffer want and hunger, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.”

Our Lord also demonstrated the fearless contentment of the life of trustful obedience. Born in a borrowed manger, preaching from a borrowed boat, buried in a borrowed tomb, He still had everything he needed when he needed it. His life was marked not by accumulation but by perfect peace, grounded in the constant presence of his Father. And so he urges us to follow his footsteps. Philippians 4:19 declares, “My God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

In the Shepherd’s tender care: “He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.” These were welcome oases in the arid lands of the Judean wilderness. The shepherd needed skill and courage to guide his sheep from one grazing meadow to another. And so it is with our Shepherd—He knows where to lead us, how to provide for us, and when to give us rest.

But God’s care goes deeper than our physical needs. “He restores my soul.” The Hebrew speaks of turning back or reviving something that was lost. Our souls are wrecked by sin, tied to death of fear. But Christ our Shepherd does not simply patch us up or leave us to heal as best as we can. He is our new and living way back into the Paradise of God. he leads us in the paths of righteousness, where we may find eternal life. And all of this goodness is poured out on us “for his name’s sake”, because he is a faithful God who will never break covenant with his own.

Life, however, is not all green pastures and still waters. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.” The valley is real, but so is the Shepherd. The journey through the shadow of death is no sign of being forsaken. They are the shortest route to the high ground ahead. In such moments, we are still safe with the Shepherd. His rod and staff are our guarantee of care. These are tools, not of cruelty or severity, but of protection and guidance. The rod defends the sheep from predators and disciplines them when they wander. The staff guides them back to the path. Even when it hurts, it is the pain of love.

Then David’s imagery shifts. “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” The Lord’s servant is seated at the Lord’s table, even as his enemies watch helplessly—whether human or demonic. In those days, a little oil on the head was cooling after the blazing sun outdoors. The Lord anoints his servant with oil, to welcome, honor, and refresh him. And the overflowing cup of wine speaks of overflowing joy. Life with the Shepherd is a banquet of lavish love despite all the outward difficulties. He more than meets our needs.

And behind us is a trail of blessing. “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.” While others chase them, they pursue the one who walks with God.
And the journey ends in eternal fellowship, for “I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

John 10:11 shows us the true Shepherd. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” Not merely a guide or teacher, our Shepherd died and rose again to save us. Isaiah 53:6 testifies: “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” Every one of us has followed our own paths, trusting in our own wisdom, living for our own glory. Because of the Shepherd’s love, we are now on the way home.

Hebrews 13:20 calls him the great Shepherd who was raised from the dead, and in 1 Peter 5:4, He is the chief Shepherd who will reward his faithful under-shepherds. Under His care, we can rest content. He meets our needs, restores our souls, leads our steps, skilfully guides us through trials, follows us with blessing, and is our eternal destination. But life is full of distractions. Our hearts are easily led astray. 2 Corinthians 11:3 expresses this fear: “But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.”

Let us open our eyes and ears to see only our true Shepherd. Let us trust him, love him, and follow His commands day after day. Let us humbly accept his discipline. Let our souls rest in him. Then we will find not only peace in the pasture but purpose in the valley, provision in the wilderness, and joy in the journey.

Is the Lord your shepherd? Have you placed your trust in Him who died and rose again to bring you into eternal forgiveness and fellowship with your Maker and Judge? If not, today is the day to enter eternal life with the Shepherd.

As his people, let us be satisfied in the path He chooses, assured of His presence, and confident in His promise. “My sheep hear my voice and they know me, and I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, nor shall anyone pluck them from my hand.” Let us live in the deep security of his love.