Jesus, the Good Shepherd (part 1 of 2)

Psalm 23 (part 1 of 2)

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  

(Psalm 23:1-3)

My dad, a bi-vocational preacher/stock man, from time-to-time owned a small flock of sheep.  So it was that I wanted to pick his brain regarding this passage written by King David, a former sheep herder himself.  Following our discussion, with a broader understanding of these unique creatures, God allow me this application:

The Lord – (Whose name is) Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace…of the increase of (Whose) government and peace there shall be no end (Isaiah 9:6-7)

Is – present positive tense.  Not maybe, hopefully, might be, but is now at work (Hebrews 10:23)

My – personal, possessive pronoun.  I belong to Him and He belongs to me; an intimate relationship. (John 15:9, 14-15)

Shepherd – Caregiver, Protector, Provider, Guide. (John 10: 11, 14) Jesus referred to Himself as the Good Shepherd Who tends His sheep. (John 10:11)

I shall not want– definitely will not.  He promised to provide for our need, but made no such promise concerning our greed.  Vital to our happiness is trusting Him for the former and committing to Him the latter. (Psalm 37:25)

He makes me lie down – Sheep will not lie down until they are free of hunger, fear, and insects. Laying down displays trust that provision has been made for these necessities. (Matthew 6:25-34)

In green pastures – Literally: “in pastures of tender grass.”  Not only does the Good Shepherd provide basic necessities - our daily bread - but He showers us with abundant extras. (2 Peter 1:2-3)

He leads me - He never drives me against my will.  Instead, He walks ahead, preparing the path, expecting me to willingly follow in loving trust. (John 12:36) 

Beside the still waters – Literally: “beside the waters of rest.”  Sheep are easily frightened and will not drink their fill from noisy, rushing waters.  Deep water is peaceful, cool, and refreshing.  So is life when our trust is in the Good Shepherd. (Job 34: 29; Isaiah 20-15)

He restores my soul - Sheep’s wool grows heavy and cumbersome, causing them to overheat or fall down.  A good owner periodically shears away that which encumbers and weighs them down.  The pruning process, rather than frightening the skittish creatures, brings relief and safety.  The Good Shepherd regularly prunes away those things in us which hinder us, in order that we can grow in Him and be more fruitful. (John 15:2)

He leads me – The choice to follow is mine.  If I balk and refuse to follow, or wander off on my own, I will miss out on the good He has planned for me, and run the risk of getting hurt. (Jeremiah 29:11; John 12:26) 

In the paths of righteousness – On our own, we may choose the wrong way. (Proverbs 21:2) Christ, the Good Shepherd never leads us astray. (James 1:13) When we come to a fork in the road, He shows the right way to go. (Isaiah 30:21)

For His name’s sake - It is God’s kingdom for which we are working; it is by His power –  His Holy Spirit - working through us; and it is for His glory, to bring honor to His name, not ours. (Matthew 6:13)

(Continued in part 2 tomorrow)

Glenda Collins Inman