A word fitly spoken is like APPLES OF GOLD in a setting of silver – Proverbs 25v11
Psalm 23 has brought much comfort and encouragement to millions of people over thousands of years. The writer, King David, was chosen by God whilst still a lowly shepherd boy for a very good reason as recorded in Acts 13v22: “I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart”. This is a commendation few have ever had said about them and his legacy amongst the Jewish people remains today as the Star of David is on the Israeli flag. David was a powerful king, yet as we read his psalms we are struck by his humility and insight. In this Psalm, David was able to use his experience as a shepherd to illustrate the Lord’s relationship with His people.
The Psalm begins with The Lord is my shepherd. Not just a shepherd, not others’ shepherd, but MY shepherd. In Biblical times there was a special bond between shepherd and sheep unlike today when sheep are just a number and have ear tags or other markings to show ownership. Shepherds in the Middle East knew their sheep by name and the sheep had full and complete reliance and confidence in the shepherd because they trusted him for all their needs because, from experience, he had always been faithful – they had never starved and he had always been there to guide and watch over them. Not only providing for them, but also protecting them from wild animals and robbers. When they strayed, he would not rest till he found them and brought them back to the fold. He even would sacrifice his life if necessary for the sheep.
Jesus uses the same analogy when He presents Himself as the Good Shepherd as recorded in the Gospel of John chapter 10 and I urge you to spend time meditating on those verses and rejoicing that He is YOUR Shepherd. Friends, whatever challenges we face today we can be at peace because we have a Shepherd of our souls who is watching over us and as the children’s chorus goes: “My God is so big, so strong and so mighty There’s nothing my God cannot do”. Moreover, because the Lord is MY Shepherd, we can enjoy whatever blessings we receive today and not worry about tomorrow – as Jesus said in Matthew 6v34: “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own”. Friends is He YOUR shepherd?
God Bless,
Graeme Greenwood