My Shepherd

Psalm 23 is familiar to most of us. Even many non-Christians know it. Perhaps some of us are almost too familiar with it, so we bypass the truths and encouragements that are there. Or maybe we skip it and the Psalms in general because poetry isn’t our favorite. I actually enjoy poetry, but I still tend to glance over much of the richness of the Psalms.

If you have a little extra time right now, pull out your Bible, pen and paper. If you don’t, you can keep reading, but maybe go back later and do the following. Write on your paper “God Is…” and then as you read through Psalm 23, write down all the characteristics of God that you see. Some are obvious like the “Lord is my Shepherd.” Others may be imbedded in descriptions of how God acts, what He does or in little words like my(God is personal and relational).

Now write on your paper “God does…” These are called indicatives. Read the Psalm once more and write down all the things that God does as our Shepherd.

I hope Psalm 23 took on an even richer meaning for you as you read through and sought God in your reading. You may have a different list, but here are some of the characteristics that I found.

Lord Personal Shepherd Guide

Provider Restorer Rest Righteous

Present Comforter Blesser Good

Merciful Eternal Relentless Protector

Faithful Good

Almost the entire Psalm is what God does for us, so I won’t rewrite it here, but hopefully as you wrote them down those truths of God’s amazing care for you saturated you heart and mind.

Right now, for me, it feels a bit like the valley of the shadow of death with enemies surrounding me. Maybe you are feeling similar. I have been previewing a book called Counseling Through the Psalms by The Association of Biblical Counselors. (Which, as a side note, I would recommend the book not just for homework in Biblical counseling situations, but as a study and application guide through some of the Psalms.) Working through Psalm 23 was especially encouraging and challenging.

When we are in the valleys, it can be hard to remember who God is and what He has done and is doing for us. This is why writing out the indicatives is helpful and needed. It replaces our amnesia with truth. The application question that particularly stood out to me was:

The psalmist describes his cup as overflowing. The Shepherd’s care is abundant and lavish, always exceeding the need. [I love that statement.] In what ways do you see the Shepherd’s lavish and exceeding care in your life?

As I thought about that question, I cried to God. I told God that in this particular valley at that particular moment I couldn’t see His lavish and exceeding care. It wasn’t an accusation. In my weariness and hurt, it was more of a cry for God to help me see what was actually true because I knew what I was feeling was not truth. However, as I reviewed my list of “God Is…” and “God does…”, and as I looked at other parts of my life past and present, I could see the Shepherd’s lavish and exceeding care. God does not change. If He is lavish in His care for me in other areas, then He is lavish and exceeds my need in the valley as well, whether I can see it in that moment or not. For me that was a burden lifted.

From the Psalm, we know that God is with us in our valleys (vs 4) just as He is with us all the time. And even in the presence of our enemies, He prepares a table for us to nourish and bless us (vs 5). One of the big battles in “Lord of the Rings: The King Returns” comes to mind. Can you imagine as all kinds of crazy creatures and humans are waging hand-to-hand combat all around you, and you are sitting and eating this amazing meal that God provided? That is the picture though. Even with enemies surrounding, we can rest and enjoy what God provides because He is our protector. He is already victorious over the enemy. What have we to fear? What amazing, exceeding care He provides!

We won’t cover the entire Psalm, but one other verse that stands out to me is verse 6. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

The Hebrew word for follow means to “hotly pursue.” God is relentless in His goodness and mercy or steadfast love (hesedI) towards us. There is nowhere we can go that He will not be with us (Psalm 139:7-12). Not only does God relentlessly pursue us, but we have that eternal hope of dwelling with Him forever. This valley you or I are currently in is not all there is. It is temporary. A glorious eternity with our Savior awaits us.

The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.