Blessings of the Shepherd

The book of Psalms is a unique piece of literature in the Bible. During one of our Carecells that I was a part of, someone described the Psalms as “refreshing”. From the exuberant rejoicing of David, to the mournful dirge of Asaph, from the remembrance of God’s faithfulness of Moses, to the royal enthronement of Solomon, nowhere in the Bible can best reflect the deepest feelings of our hearts more than the book of Psalms.

Psalm 23 is no different. Often called the Shepherd’s Psalm, Psalm 23 is a declaration of God’s goodness by King David. From humble beginnings, David started in life as a lowly shepherd of the family flock. And perhaps in one of his shepherding journeys a song struck in his heart to write this psalm. Psalm 23 is a picture of God’s covenant love for His people, just as a shepherd’s commitment and care to his flock. And if we could summarize this thought in a simple sentence, it would be this: God is fully responsible for a life that is fully devoted to Him.

God is fully responsible for a life that is fully devoted to Him. And for some of us, this statement puts us on the edge of our seats, for in the deepest crevices of our hearts we still find it hard to trust God in the things we hold too dearly. “For where your heart is, there your heart will be also” (Gospels), as Jesus said. Our fallen nature finds it difficult to grasp. How can someone I cannot see do something about the mess before my eyes? For some, God is a cosmic force far away, distant and uninterested, for others, He is a white-bearded old man sporting a stick, waiting for someone to fling at the slightest human mistake. And for most of us, we simply find it irrelevant because His agenda does not match our agenda.

But despite these feelings and misconceptions of who God is, the truth as the Bible tells us is otherwise. God even though is Spirit, is very present in the time of your deepest need. God is very much concerned about your well-being and your future. God is not angry at you, but His goodness and favor “lasts for a lifetime”. And if you would just find a place for Him in your heart to say, God I am in desperate need of you today, He will be there to come and be there for you at the right time and place, as the shepherd was to his lost sheep. Consider David’s declaration of blessings from the Shepherd:


Declarations of Contentment

“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake” (Psalms 23:1-3).

Notice these words of generosity attributed to the Shepherd: he makes, he leads, he restores, he guides. The shepherd desires nothing short of the best provision for the sheep. Green pastures in the original Hebrew text refer to sheltered and protected dwellings with abundant supply of green and young shoots—just the right choice of diet for the sheep. Indeed, there’s nowhere else in the world can we desire to find ourselves but in the secure and providing hand of the Shepherd. Quiet waters produce calm and soothing water from small choice streams inviting the most sensitive of God’s creatures. For us the Shepherd brings us to havens of peace and rest rarely found in the hearts of men.

In shepherd talk, when a sheep falls on its back, the idea of “restoring” a sheep is turning the sheep over and bringing it back on its feet. The shepherd keeps a keen eye on this because for the sheep this can lead to suffocation and eventual death. How beautiful is this picture of God’s restorative hand to a soul in need of healing or forgiveness when we stumble in life. The shepherd desires everything that will be good for the well-being of his flock. Therefore he journeys, sometimes from one patch of green to another, in the arid desert terrain to provide the best food and water for the flock. God’s Word (Psalm 119:105) and His Spirit (Psalm 95:7-8) are our guide that leads us to paths of righteousness and intimate relationship with Him.

Thus David finds himself not lacking anything for he declares, “The Lord is my Shepherd, [therefore] I shall not be in want.” Indeed, a man or woman who considers God as their lead, shall not be found wanting, because they are secure in the assurance that it is God who provides for them. Consider the words of the Apostle Paul, “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through [Christ] who gives me strength.” For Paul, there is a greater truth more than what our eyes can see—often times, the things we do not have. He has discovered the secret of a contented life. Christ in us. We do not succumb to false contentment because God is not able, but on the contrary we choose to be content and be in peace with ourselves rather than worrying over tomorrows because God not only knows our need, but is able to provide them for us.


Declarations of Comfort

“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” (Psalm 23:4).

Though the shepherd has his sights on our destination—our wholeness, the path to righteousness does not guarantee an easy journey, in fact for most times, life’s blessings come after life’s testings.

During the summer months, the shepherd will lead the flock to the high mountains because there the grass is greener and more abundant. And the best way to get them there is by the valleys below. These low valleys receive the least sunlight because of the shadows cast by the mountains on both sides. Thus these areas became favorite hotspots of desert predators such as Asiatic lions and wolves during those times. And is it not true that we go through dark valleys of our own? Valleys of confusion, valleys of uncertainty and valleys of the distant future sow fear in our hearts. But David finds comfort in the Person leading in front of him. “Though I walk through the valley … I will fear no evil, for you are with me.” I remember in my childhood, it was a staple for children to visit the carnival during the holidays. And one of the not-to-miss sites in the carnival was the scare house. It’s funny though, because we pay to scare ourselves by going in it, from the starting point, running as fast as we could in the dark to the first sign of “safety”. It is therefore important to take notice how David endured his dark times. He did not run, but he walked. He did not run from the dark valleys, for everyone has them. He did not run through it in panic. But David walked in a secure and confident resolve, because he knew in God’s presence, nothing is to be feared. The shepherd walks ahead of the flock for two reasons, (1) to protect the flock from ambush from predators, and (2) to serve as a secure guide for the sheep.

The shepherd carries a rod, to fight predators with it, and a staff, to guide the flock. Crooked at one end, the shepherd can pull back the sheep that get lost of their track. Thank God for Someone who pulls us back when we lose our way towards our goal! Despite the threats around them, the sheep focuses on just one thing—the shepherd. How about you, where do you look for security in times of uncertainty? God is not only able to meet your need, but His reassuring presence brings us security in seasons of instability. May you find comfort in the assurance of the Shepherd’s leading.


Declarations of Close Fellowship

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (Psalm 23:5-6).

It is ultimately our close relationship with God that brings the ultimate answer to our ultimate need—the need to worship. “Oh Lord, You made us for Yourself. And our hearts will be restless until we find rest in You” says the ancient patriarch. We often meet this need short-handedly, we fail to acknowledge the true Object of our worship. The uncreated One, the Creator of all things.

For the sheep, a table represents the mountain plateaus where green vegetations are in abundance. This is the ultimate destination the shepherd intended for His flock, a land flowing with milk and honey. However, this area is not without challenge. During summer months, flies and other pests can be found in these areas. These can bring severe irritation and cause infection among the sheep. So the shepherd anoints each sheep with oil for protection against these unruly guests. What else could the sheep ask for? What more can you ask for of Jesus, who calls himself the Good Shepherd? Thus David concludes after observing the joy and abundance found in the midst of God’s presence, “Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life.” It is not him who chases after these things, as some of us still do, but as he follows the Shepherd, so these things follow him. “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you”, is the promise of the Good Shepherd Jesus to those who choose believe in Him and do the things He believed in. As a good shepherd committed his life for the good of his flock, so does Jesus and He does even more.

God is fully responsible for a life that is fully devoted to Him. We have seen how God knows and is able to meet our needs, but one more thing is needed—a life fully devoted to Him. “My sheep knows my voice” Our part is to entrust ourselves fully to the hand of the shepherd. Allow Him to take the lead in your life. Consider the three responses of David: I shall not be in want, I shall not fear, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord. May we find ourselves living a life of complete trust. May we learn to begin trusting God in the things we haven’t entrusted to Him yet. Because the Person we are entrusting it to is the One who says, “I am the Good Shepherd.”