By Marta Greenman –
Psalm 23 is one of the best-known psalms in the Bible. When I read the words written by David so long ago, I have an underlying peace that infiltrates my soul. Why are these words so calming? And what can we learn about the relationship of the shepherd to the sheep? Finally, what can our Good Shepherd do for us?
Psalm 23:1 teaches that knowing the Shepherd allows us not to want. The Shepherd will give us everything we need, as a woman that spells out security. When we don’t need to worry or think about what it is that is needed we can find rest. We can trust the Shepherd because He will provide it for us. What a novel thought. As women we tend to worry about everything! Imagine a state of mind at such peace because worry is absent from our lives.
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Verse two talks about lying down in green pastures and leading us beside still waters. Did you know that sheep are afraid of flowing water? Rapid waters stress sheep and make them anxious. They need perfectly still water or they will not drink. Isn’t that the same for us? When we are stressed or anxious we either cannot eat or drink anything, or we eat everything in sight. It is when we find ourselves beside the clam peaceful presence of Jesus that we can drink up His goodness and find that He calms our stressful lives.
The Good Shepherd will restore our soul. If something needs restoring, at some point it has been damaged and is in need of repair. With all the clamoring of the day, the Shepherd’s presence restores every hurtful comment you may have received that day. He restores relationships that have been broken and lives that have been beaten down.
The Shepherd guides us in paths of righteousness. I particularly like this phrase because in my nature there is nothing righteous about me. Yet, I don’t have to worry about the Shepherd trying to coerce or drag me into a place of righteousness. Our flesh wouldn’t choose the Lord’s path because we know we are unworthy. But I can trust the Shepherd to gently guide me into a righteous path.
Knowing we need not fear because our Shepherd is with us in our darkest hour; therefore we can have peace. We come to understand our Shepherd’s rod of correction is gentler than the condemnation of the world, because there is mercy at the end of His staff, which comforts us.
What a blessing it is to rely on our shepherd to defend and redeem us in front of our enemies! Many times we want to fight our own battles and defend ourselves. Know that the Good Shepherd can do a much better job than you ever could. David, who wrote the twenty-third Psalm, was well acquainted with enemies. King Saul saw that the hand of the Lord was upon David, and understood that God was handing the kingdom of Israel to David. Saul took matters into his own hands and sought to kill David. David had to hide in caves and live as a nomad for many years. On more than one occasion, David could have killed King Saul, but David knew it was best to leave Saul in the Lord’s hands. God redeemed David and the Lord anointed him king of Israel. Just as He did with David, the Lord can make your cup overflow with joy when we leave matters to Him.
Finally, we can trust in the Lord’s goodness and lovingkindness in our lives. Who does not want everything the Lord has to offer? He has prepared a place for us. Jesus said, “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:2-3). What a blessed promise to know that we as believers will be with the Lord forever.
What do you need your Good Shepherd to do today? He makes us. He leads us. He restores us. He guides us. He corrects us. He comforts us. He prepares us. He anoints us. When we rely on Him we shall not want, we will be calm, restored, righteous, fearless, comforted, exalted in front of our enemies, anointed, and overflowing with joy. We can be secure because we are in the presence of the Lord forever. Have you spent time with your Good Shepherd? He is what you need today!
Marta Greenman’s life calling is to inspire others to fall in love with God and teach them how to study His Word to bring change in their lives. She is the founder of Words of Grace & Truth, author of two published Bible studies, Bible teacher, conference speaker, and wife to Marshall. You can find Marta’s testimony and studies at wogt.org.
1 thought on “The Lord is My Shepherd”
Reading this post was very comforting! Women worry and stress over so many thing- especially at this age, but I believe referring back to this chapter would serve as a great reminder that we are not alone and that we are loved. You know what, Marta, you’re right…he is exactly what we need. #GFEpart2