David, King of Israel, wrote the beautiful 23rd Psalm in which he apparently contrasts his days as a shepherd boy with his life as a child of God.
Even today in Palestine there are many shepherds. There is a close relationship between the shepherd and his sheep; they are together most of the time. The sheep are dependent upon their shepherd who provides for them and protects them against dangers.
David said, "The Lord is MY shepherd" showing the close relationship he shared with the Lord. The words of this Psalm show that, having the Lord as his shepherd, David would want for nothing. Notice:
"He maketh me to lie down in green pastures..." I shall not want for rest and refreshment. Sheep lie down when they are satisfied and secure. Jesus said, "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matt. 11:28). Jesus is the Good Shepherd who always cares for his sheep and leads them to good pastures for food (John 10:14).
"He leadeth me beside the still waters..." I shall not want for leadership. Sheep drink only where the water is still. A shepherd leads his sheep, hence he can see all the dangers and will guide and protect his flock to the extent that the sheep have tranquility and peace as the "still waters." Jesus, the Loving Shepherd, says, "I am the way..." (John 14:6). He wants to lead us to heaven, the home of the soul.
"He restoreth my soul..." I shall not want for salvation. David, no doubt, remembered when he would seek out the lost sheep and restore them to the fold. In the darkest hours of David's life God did not forsake him. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, came to this earth to mend and to restore lost souls (Luke 19:10).
"He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness..." I shall not want for guidance. Christianity is not only a fold of which all the redeemed are a part, but a path in which we walk. Peter admonished Christians to follow in the steps of Jesus (1 Pet. 2:21). We can safely follow Jesus by walking in the light of His word (Ps. 119:105).
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death..." I shall not want for assurance at death. David recalls the time he led his sheep through valleys where dangers lurked.
There are summits and valleys in every life. How wonderful to know that when life is most trying, Jesus is there to comfort and help. David said, "though I walk;" not hurry, as if alarmed, nor stand still, as if fearful; "through the valley," not "in." The trail comes out on the other side (Rev. 2:10). "Shadow" of death. A shadow is not permanent; neither is death.
Many express no fear at death because they understand the thought expressed by David. To comfort the parents of a little child who had died, the preacher told this story: "A shepherd led his flock to the banks of a swiftly flowing stream. Sheep naturally fear rapidly running water. The shepherd, failing to induce them to cross the steam, picked up a little lamb and stepped into the river, bearing it carefully and tenderly to the opposite shore. When the mother saw where her lamb had gone, she forgot her fear and stepped into the rushing current and was soon safe on the other side. The rest of the flock followed." If the Lord is our shepherd in life, He will be our companion in death.
"Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me..." I shall not want for comfort. The rod and staff were shepherds' implements to protect, and had perhaps been used by David when he killed a lion and bear to protect his flock. The staff had a crooked end and could be used to rescue sheep which had fallen over a cliff or into a hole. God will deliver His sheep out of temptation and the snare of Satan (1 Cor. 10:13).
"Thou preparest a table before me..." I shall not want for material blessings. Jesus promised to provide, through His providential care, all material blessings if we will seek His kingdom first (Matt. 6:33).
"Thou anointest my head with oil..." I shall not want for honor. Oil was used to anoint the heads of those who were given a place of honor. David's head was anointed with oil when he was chosen to be king of Israel. Oil was also used for healing in Bible times. What an honor to be called "children of God," and to have the "Great Physician" on call twenty-four hours each day to heal us of our spiritual illnesses!
"Goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life..." His goodness leads us to repentance, and His mercy pardons us of our sins (Rom. 2:4, Titus 3:5).
"I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever..." "And when the chief shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away..." (1 Pet. 4:4). The beauty of eternal life is expressed here.
Is the Lord your Shepherd?
- Knollwood Reminders, 5/14/72