Psalm 23 - A Devotion - 

 

While I have read this psalm a 1,000 times, something recently popped off the page in a new and real way.  The word of God is living and active. (Hebrews 4:12)  This psalm became alive in a new way.  This is a prayer, but it is also a promise.  It is a promise of a Good Shepherd who is our provider, our protector, our sustain er.  He leads us to what we need.  He sees the dangers ahead and makes provision.  Read this amazing Psalm again and look for  his promises.  Accept these promises to be truth over your life.  Claim them again or for the first time. He is our Good, Good Shepherd.

 

“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want”

 

This is a truth.  If the Lord is my shepherd then I shall NOT be in want - for anything.  He is my provision, my source for all things, physical, emotional, spiritual.  He is the provision.  Not just for our needs, but our wants.  There is nothing else wanted.  He is the source.  We shall not be in want for anything. As a good Shepherd he knows what we truly need and what is best for us.  He knows when to say no and when to indulge.  He knows what his sheep need for their benefit.

 

“He makes me lie down in green pastures”

 

He will make you lie down, because we need the rest.  There are times he forces the rest - seasons, moments, but it is a green pasture.  A place of provision. It will be good and our needs will be provided for. So many times I fight the rest.  I think I know best.  Rest is such an important part of life.  It is where we heal, grow, learn and are restored. Rest brings peace to our bodies, souls, minds.  It is what we long for.  Rest sometimes is forced.  Just like a toddler who fights his naptime, we too fight the surrender for what we need.  So the Good Shepherd provides times where he makes us lie down in green pastures. Let's follow rather than fight him.

 

“He leads me beside the quiet waters.”

 

We need peace in our lives, we need to be still.  He leads us away from danger and to a place of refreshing.  A place of quiet where we can drink, relax.  If we follow our Shepherd we will have refreshing for our bodies and souls.  Water, good safe, quiet waters. He leads us where our souls will find peace.  He knows the anxieties that are out there.  His heart is to lead us to a place where we can drink, experience peace free from the pressures of providing for ourselves.

 

“He restores my soul.”  

 

God knows we will struggle.  He knows our soul will get weary.  He knows our worries and work, our families, our responsibilities will take their toll.  He restores us. He provides at our soul level.    Restoration is the heart of the scripture and is the love thread from Genesis to Revelation.  It is beautiful in this psalm that the Good Shepherd reminds us that he is the one who restores the soul.  It is a promise that he gives his sheep.

 

“He guides me in the path of righteousness for his name’s sake.”

 

The Good Shepherd guides us along the right path.  So we don’t get lost.  So we become more like him. The Good Shepherd guides us actively toward a life of righteousness.  He wants us to receive the benefits of a righteous life.  While righteousness is a lot of hard choices in a society that wants all the pleasures.  He guides us toward behaving like him.  Why?  For his name’s sake.  He labels us his.  We are his name’s sake.  He wants us to be like him.  To wear his brand, to display his character.  So we follow him on the right path to be righteous.

 

“Even though I walk in the valley of the shadow of death.” 

 

The Shepherd knows death is a part of life.  He knows there is sickness, sin, struggle, loss, pain, suffering.  He knows it will happen in every life. He knows what is coming in every life.  He knows we will watch others suffer, people we love.  He knows the shadow of death. He more than anyone knows the sadness, pain and agony that come in this valley.  He knows as the Good Shepherd that death is a part of life in this fallen world.

 

“I will fear no evil, for you are with me, Your rod and staff they comfort me.”

 

The promise that he gives in the valley is beautiful.  He is with us.  So even when we go through a death, or in the shadow of death, he is with us.  He comforts us. The shepherd uses discipline, tapping, reminding us to keep us on the path.  To keep us moving.  The shepherd never leaves.  He is there. Always.  Even discipline is comfort because He is there comforting, protecting us from evil.

 

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.”

 

God provides no matter what the circumstances.  He prepares a feast, even when others may gloat, or inflict harm.  He provides a buffet and there is nothing the enemy can do.  He prepares. He provides. He protects.  No matter what the circumstance. He will provide a table.  Pause to look for the provision.  Part of walking with him is knowing and understanding his ways.  He will prepare the table.  We need to pause to sit and eat it under his protection, no matter what the enemy throws at us. 

 

“You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows.”

 

Lord, you bless us.  You pour blessing over our heads to be refreshed. Filled with hope, joy, excitement.  You speak blessing.  You pour out blessing. Only you can pour it out.  To where we are overflowing and lavishing in the overflow of your blessing and your anointing.  You want the overflow for us.  You want us to enjoy your blessings.  You  cover us with your anointing, who you are.  It isn't just a little anointing, but until it overflows. 

 

“Surely Goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life.”

 

While we are living on earth. When he is all we want, when we follow him through all of life’s circumstances, when we rest in him, eat at his table. When we allow him to pour out blessings on our heads.  Then surely goodness and love will follow all the days of my life. It is not the circumstances that define us, but who we follow, who we want for, who directs the path that truly defines us.  Goodness and love are the natural fallout of a loving relationship with the Shepherd.

 

“And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

 

If all of this provision wasn’t enough: AND I get to live for eternity in his Heavenly presence forever. 

 

Praise the Lord - Glory for the Good Shepherd.