Author: NBibens

Yesterday, we discussed Psalm 23:5 and the incredible picture of the Lord transforming sheep into guests that He hosts at His table. And what a host He is! David says to the Lord, “You prepare a table before me…” The word “prepare” refers to careful and precise ordering. The Lord is an immaculate host who lovingly and caringly provides for His people. David says, “You anoint my head with oil.” This was an ancient custom of hospitality—a way of refreshing and perfuming a guest after their long journey so they would be ready and prepared for the banquet. And David proclaims, “My cup overflows.” The Lord is a generous host Who provides abundantly. Never is there a worry of food running out or the cup going dry.

These images describe for us the Lord’s care and provision. He is a generous and loving Lord who provides for His people. And He is not meager or stingy in His giving, but lavish. How well do we thank the Lord for His lavish care?

The first four verses of Psalm 23 metaphorically describe the Lord’s care in beautiful sheep/shepherd imagery. Then, verse 5 builds on that imagery but in a surprising direction. Any good shepherd will provide for their sheep, feed them, lead them, and protect them. But once the sheep are brought home, they will be put in the pen while the Shepherd goes inside. That, however, is not what David’s shepherd, the Lord, does.

Psalm 23:5 says, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” How amazing! The Lord is a shepherd like none other because He doesn’t just care for His sheep—He transforms them. Through His care, the sheep become something more. They become welcome guests in the Master’s house and at the Master’s table. How incredible it is to know that we are aptly pictured as sheep, but if we follow Jesus, we will be transformed into welcome guests in His Father’s house!

Last week, we spent some time in Psalm 23. This week, I’d like to pick up where we left off. Our last couple of programs focused on verse 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.” Untold numbers of people have turned to Psalm 23 seeking comfort, and what a comforting Psalm it is! But why can we find comfort in this Psalm?

We’ve already noted the Lord’s presence is a key to our safety. But David also discusses the Shepherd’s tools. First, there is the rod. This was an instrument that shepherds primarily used as a weapon. These clubs were used to fight off predators and thieves. In other words, the Shepherd is a warrior ready to protect! But he also uses the staff to guide and correct His sheep. If we truly want the Lord’s comfort, we must trust His protection and follow His instruction and correction.

Yesterday, we looked at the first part of Psalm 23:4, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.” This verse deserves a little extra of our time.

The reason for David’s lack of fear is simple yet powerful. He says to the Lord, “For you are with me.” It’s worth noting in this verse, David stops speaking about the Lord and begins speaking to the Lord. But also, what a blessing it is to be able to say that the Lord is with us. In fact, this goal is the story of the Bible. In Eden, God walked with Man. In the Tabernacle and Temple, God’s presence filled the Most Holy Place. Jesus is called Immanuel, which means “God with us.” And Revelation 21 depicts a scene in the New Creation when God will be with His people. Remember today—the greatest thing you can achieve is to be with the Lord.

This week, we’ve been working through Psalm 23. Today, we come to verse 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.”

If Psalm 23 were new to us, this verse might be surprising. After reading about being led along right paths, we find that such paths sometimes lead to valleys and ravines that are dark, frightening, and dangerous. Life isn’t always green pastures and still waters.

Now, for a sheep, a dark valley is a very dangerous place. There are many calamities that can befall. And yet, David says, “I will fear no evil.” How can David be so confident? Is he courageous? Is it because he is a mighty warrior? No. His reason for hope is simple. The Lord is his companion. Our abilities will never lead us through the darkest valleys. The best comfort we can ever find is the presence of the Lord.

Over the last two days, we’ve discussed Psalm 23:1. That verse ends with the amazing claim by David, “I shall not want,” or “I lack nothing.” How could David, or anyone, make such an audacious claim? The next couple of verses explain. David says, “He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”

These verses poetically describe the Lord’s provision. He provides for His people like a shepherd who leads his flock to safe green pastures. The Lord grants rest to His people—a rest that is so needed and a rest that leads to restoration. And the Good Shepherd leads us along right paths. When we follow Jesus, we can trust the way we’re going is the right way. And the Lord leads “For His name’s sake.” God attaches His very own honor to His ability to care for and lead His sheep. How wonderful it is to follow the Good Shepherd!

Yesterday, we considered the opening line of Psalm 23—“The LORD is my shepherd.” That’s a fantastic thing to say, but what does it mean? How does it impact our lives?

David’s following statement is, “I shall not want.” We often come to Psalm 23 for comfort, and it is a comforting passage. But before we can truly enjoy its comfort, this Psalm should teach us the lesson of contentment.

The phrase “I shall not want” can also be translated as “I lack for nothing.” Do you agree with either of those statements? If not, you might consider whether you are following the Good Shepherd. When Jesus is our Shepherd, we are not promised to be materially wealthy, in picture-perfect health, or anything of the sort. But we can trust that we will have everything we need. In fact, spiritually speaking, we can say, “My cup overflows!” Have you learned the contentment of following the Good Shepherd?

“The LORD is my shepherd.” This, of course, is the opening line of Psalm 23. The whole Psalm is filled with beauty and wonder, but today, I just want to consider that opening line. Too often, we plunge into the beauty of Psalm 23 without doing justice to the first words.

First, consider who David claims his Shepherd is. It is none other than the Lord, Yahweh. There is no shepherd who can provide, protect, and care for us like the Lord!

Second, David says the Lord is my shepherd. The Lord provides future promises but also grants His sheep present peace and power.

David says Lord is my shepherd. If I belong to the Lord’s flock, I can enjoy a personal relationship with Him as my shepherd, as I am His, and He is mine.

And the Lord is a Shepherd. He provides, protects, guides, and loves His sheep. How blessed it is to be able to say, “The Lord is my shepherd.”

The Bible is full of incredible descriptions of Jesus. I love considering the various ways Jesus is described, especially by people He healed. In John 5, Jesus healed a man who had been an invalid for 38 years. Some Jewish leaders saw this man walking that same day and carrying the bed he’d been lying on, and they were indignant because it was the Sabbath. When they asked why he was carrying the bed, he responded, “The man who healed me, that man said to me, ‘Take up your bed, and walk.’”

This story has many wonderful lessons, but I want to linger over that description of Jesus—“the man who healed me.” What a beautiful description. Perhaps we haven’t been healed of some physical illness or injury, but if we’ve been forgiven of our sins by Jesus, we can also describe Him as “The man who healed me!” What a blessing it is to be healed by Jesus!

Being wrong is embarrassing. Even though we all make mistakes, we’re ashamed when we mess up. Because of this, we often get upset when someone corrects us. We would do well to remember the Bible’s counsel about being correctible. But we should also be humble and loving when correcting others. Knowing that being rebuked or corrected is difficult, we should be as gentle as possible. And we should do all we can to ensure we are helping, not hurting.

In 1 Corinthians 4:14, the Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthian Christians, “I don’t write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children.”[1]  Paul needed to correct the Corinthians but offered such correction out of love and for their benefit. Paul’s goal wasn’t to belittle or humiliate. When we need to correct others, we should have the same attitude. Even when others need to be rebuked and corrected, our goal shouldn’t be to shame them but to lovingly help them.

[1] WEB