The Lord is My Shepherd

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth 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 thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.” Psalm 23.

This is a very common and well-known chapter in the book of Psalms. But, have you ever contemplated the spiritual meaning which David wanted to convey to you? Let us take a closer look at the chapter. To start with, we need to understand that David was a shepherd by profession. He understood the work of a shepherd by experience. He knew the behaviour, character and lifestyle of the sheep.

Shepherd’s Work

“I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” John 10:11. The shepherd’s work is to lead the flocks to the greener pastures, protect the flocks from the beasts, take care of the lame and the sick. This is the good shepherd’s work. Jesus also mentions the works of a bad shepherd. “But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.” John 10:12.

Beast of Prey

Let us also look closely at the lifestyle of the wild beast. They don’t have a shepherd, neither a shelter. They don’t graze in the greener pastures, for fear of man and other beasts. They don’t even know where they will be in the next hour or after some time. Their lifestyle is very difficult and unpredictable. Hence they are not as fat as the domestic animals under the guidance of a shepherd.

“The Lord is My Shepherd”

When David was comparing the lifestyle of a sheep and the wild beasts, he saw the tender love and care of God towards him and he expressed it through his words. “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” Although David had many enemies and experienced some difficulties and hardships, he was happy knowing that the Lord was his Shepherd and he would not want. Though there may be hunger, floods, earthquakes, disasters by land or sea, he had no fear, for the Lord was his Shepherd. Though his soul was broken because of his sins, weakness and trials, he was happy to know that the Good Shepherd restores his soul. As long as the Lord was his Shepherd, he knew that he would be led in the path of righteousness for His name’s sake. Though he walked in the valley of the shadow of death, he feared not evil, he knew that the Lord’s rod and staff was his comfort. Though he had many enemies, he feared not for the Lord was able to prepare him a table before his enemies. As long as the Lord was his Shepherd, surely goodness and mercy was to follow him all the days of his life. He was to dwell in the house of God forever and ever. The house of God which David was talking about was God’s temple which represents His church today.

Paul’s Experience with the Good Shepherd

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” Romans 8:35. “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38, 39. The apostle Paul found nothing worthy to separate him from the Good Shepherd. Like David he could say “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” Though he experienced hardships, hunger, discouragement, persecution, he could surely say, I will dwell in the house of God for ever and ever.

Personal Experience with the Good Shepherd

We can name a lot of people who experienced a good relationship with this Good Shepherd. What is your personal experience with this Good Shepherd? Do you feel comfort and safety in His hands? Do you have fears about tomorrow and the future? Fear not, the Lord is your Shepherd. Are you downhearted in your soul, because of trials, temptations, bereavement and sickness? Worry not, for the Good Shepherd will restore your soul, both physically and spiritually, and lead you in paths of righteousness. Is your life threatened by death, both physically and spiritually? Fear not, for He will be with you, His staff and rod will comfort you. Do you have many enemies, including the devil and his angels? Fear not for the Good Shepherd is able to prepare you a table in the presence of your enemies.

Living in the House of God

As long as Christ Jesus is our Shepherd and we are His sheep who know His voice, we shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. As it is in nature, so it is in the spiritual life. The beasts roar and threaten the sheep inside the corral. The one that jumps out of the corral will be in hot pursuit by, and will finally be eaten by, the beasts. One is never safe when he remains out of the Lord’s house. The enemy might roar and threaten the sheep inside, but as long as they remain in the house, nothing can harm them. The same happens to God’s children. Many are the temptations which Satan uses to try to drive God’s children out of His house (the church). Misunderstandings between brethren, fault-finding, accusations, criticism, etc. are the weapons which the devil uses. But as for David, he could say, “I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Jesus asked His disciples, “Will you also go away?” Then Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life.” John 6:67, 68. They couldn’t go away. When Hezekiah was promised fifteen more years, he asked, “What shall be the sign that the Lord will heal me, and that I shall go up into the house of the Lord the third day?” II Kings 20:8. Hezekiah was concerned about the house of God for his life and happiness was in that house. As for the old patriarch, Joshua, he said, “…choose ye this day whom ye will serve… But as for me and my house we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15. Joshua could not be moved out of the house of God. Think about it, as for you, my brother and my sister, what can separate you from this Good Shepherd? What can separate you from God’s house (His church)? AMEN.

David Gwina, Zimbabwe Field Conference