The Good Shepherd

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. Psalm 23:1-2

Perhaps, Psalm 23 is the best loved chapter in the Bible. In fact, there are those that refer to it as an “everybody’s psalm.” The whole chapter is filled with words of encouragement for those longing for the assurance of God’s presence during times of trials and it offers challenges for those wanting to be faithful to the Lord. From the text, David referred to the Lord as his Shepherd. He knew that he could always count on God’s presence no matter what life will bring to him. The Lord Jesus Christ referred to Himself as the “Good Shepherd” in John 10. The whole chapter provided the details of what the Good Shepherd does to those who are willing to yield their lives to Him and to let Him be the One to lead them to the path He had set for them. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, gave His life for the sheep (John 10:11). His sacrifice on the cross provided those that trusted Him to be the Shepherd of their lives the assurance that He will not abandon them. David said that because He is the Shepherd, His sheep will not lack in their needs. This is what God does so that they will find that in Him they could find rest as they journey in the life set out for them by God. “He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters” (Psalm 23:2). God quiets the hearts so that they will not be filled with anxiety when facing those that are unknowns. The prominent use of the pronouns by David such as “I,” “me,” and “my” in the whole chapter showed how much he trusted God. Jesus in John 10 also assured the believers that in Him they are secured in their faith and no one can derail God from having His will get accomplished. No matter what you are dealing with right now, be assured that God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, the Good shepherd will be with you to help you and to strengthen you.

Blessings.