Articles
Psalm 23
One of the most popular passages in the Bible is found in Psalms 23. This Psalm was better understood by those living in the early centuries. They would often see shepherds and sheep in the fields. Today, one can go their whole lifetime and never see this scene. The message for those in Bible times and for today is clear for all of us. The Lord truly is our shepherd through life and we are his sheep.
“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.”
Notice the unique things the shepherd does for his sheep. He finds them green pastures and still waters to drink. He leads them in safe paths through the fields. He uses his rod and staff to direct them. He cares for any injuries they may have with oil. The application for us today is clearly seen in how the Lord, our shepherd, cares for us. He still provides for our physical needs but most importantly, our spiritual needs. He restores our souls by His shed blood. He leads us in righteousness by His teachings and as death approaches us, we are not afraid because of His promise of eternal life. No matter what may happen in our life here on Earth, we are promised God’s goodness and mercy all the days of our life. Our future truly is in the hands of the good shepherd and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
