Psalm 23 Unpacked
Psalm 23 Unpacked
There are times that we just need to allow ourselves to stop, rest and to be rejuvenated. We’re not speaking vacation here; it’s a daily exercise to which we need to avail ourselves. King David understood this so well from the time of his youth he centered his thoughts, emotions and deeds on God.
David put it so powerfully in Psalm 23, he says:
“God, my shepherd!
I don’t need a thing.
You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
you find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your word,
you let me catch my breath
and send me in the right direction.”
Psalm 23:1-3 MSG
David understood the role of a shepherd more than most, as he was one. He knew that a shepherd knew everything there was to know regarding every sheep in his flock. He knew where the best fields to graze and rest his sheep. The shepherd knew where the still safe waters were. He knew how to direct and lead his flock so they would not only be healthy but safe. The shepherd, unlike a servant, would lay down his life for even one of his sheep. That was the shepherd’s life, they were his sheep, he owned them, he paid for them, he would die to protect them.
This is how David viewed God, his shepherd. He knew that he could trust God as much as David’s sheep trusted him. He knew that God had always provided wisdom, strength and courage when he wasn’t sure what to do. David knew if he stopped and put his thoughts, words and deeds into God’s hands he could trust God.
David knew God’s character; God’s love and commitment to him, he trusted God, unconditionally.
In the New Testament Jesus is referred to as a shepherd three times, bringing the same relationship King David knew to us.
Jesus says that He is “The Good Shepherd” that lays down His life for His sheep, in John 10:11. Paul refers to Jesus as, “The God of peace…our Lord, Jesus That Great Shepherd” in Hebrews 13:20. Peter states that when “The Chief Shepherd appears you will receive a crown of glory that will never fade away” in 1 Peter 5:4.
The Bible starts with the price that was paid by Jesus for all of us, He laid down His life for us. He paid the price for our sin so we would no longer be slave, owned by our sin. We now have the freedom to choose to walk away and follow Jesus, the Good Shepherd, or stay where we are stuck in sin. We now have “The Freedom To Choose.” We can’t decide to continue to sin and then blame God for the outcome of our choice. It doesn’t work that way.
Even when the way goes through
Death Valley,
I’m not afraid
when you walk at my side.
Your trusty shepherd’s crook
makes me feel secure.Psalm 23:4-5 MSG
When we follow the shepherd we find peace, even in the midst of difficulty, because we know God’s character. We know He will walk through the most difficult of situations with us and guide us through the most perilous times with His wisdom, strength, and courage. When our eyes are fixed on Him, when we choose to have Him close to our side we are led through safely in peace and grace.
There are times we get caught up with life, going too fast and forgetting to stay connected to God. Sometimes we start slipping a little too far from the Shepherd's voice. We just start wandering, daydreaming, looking at what glitters and draws us away, ever so subtly. Jesus’ shepherd’s rod, the Holy Spirit, is there to give us a nudge. With that still small voice He reminds us where we are, where we need to be. We not only hear that voice but choose to follow it.
There is a security, a sense of comfort knowing God is always there, always.
You serve me a six-course dinner
right in front of my enemies.
You revive my drooping head;
my cup brims with blessing.
Your beauty and love chase after me
every day of my life.
I’m back home in the house of God
for the rest of my life.
Psalm 23: 1-6 MSG
It has been said that there is no greater revenge on our enemies than to live well. There is an enormous amount of satisfaction of knowing that someone else does not have the power to take away our freedom to choose. They may mean evil for us but the six-course dinner isn’t a physical sit-down feast but in fact something much greater. The real gala is that when we follow the shepherd, when we listen to His voice nothing can unseat us and knock us off our purpose.
When we are focused on God’s voice the enemy cannot determine our response to our circumstance. He does not have that power. That is what the enemy wants. He wants to have the power to make your choices, determine your emotions, and control your actions. That is the celebration in front of our enemies.
In the end, “The Chief Shepherd” will appear and we will be given a crown of glory that will never fade away. When we are in eternity we will then be celebrating where there is no more pain, no more sorrow, no more tears. We will have run our race. We will have stayed the course. The greatest gift will be to hear God say; well done thou good and faithful servant; that my friend is the prize at the celebration.
Life really is a journey filled with hills and valleys. There are rocky slopes and wide canyons to cross but we don’t have to traverse it alone. There is a Shepherd pursuing us with a love beyond our ability to comprehend.
Will you today stop and take a new look at Psalm 23? Will you consider it a daily prayer of love, commitment and celebration rather than held for special occasions.
You, Lord, are my shepherd.
I will never be in need.
You let me rest in fields of green grass.
You lead me to streams
of peaceful water, and you refresh my life.
You are true to your name,
and you lead me along the right paths.
I may walk through valleys
as dark as death, but I won’t be afraid.
You are with me,
and your shepherd’s rod makes me feel safe.
You treat me to a feast, while my enemies watch.
You honor me as your guest,
and you fill my cup until it overflows.
Your kindness and love will always
be with me each day of my life,
and I will live forever in your house, Lord.
Psalm 23 CEV