Dear Friends,
Jesus tells us in John chapter 10, that He is the Good Shepherd of His people. The Lord fills many roles as He meets our every need. He is known as our Redeemer, Healer, and Provider. In this issue, we will look at Jesus as the Good Shepherd. We’ll review Psalm 23 and examine these verses in detail, as they provide a clear picture of who Jesus is and how He cares for us as our Good Shepherd.
v1a: The Lord is my shepherd…
I love how David made it personal. Instead of saying the Lord is “A” Shepherd, he says the Lord is “My” Shepherd! The unique term for shepherd here is “lover of the flock.” A shepherd is not just a responsible overseer, but a caring father figure. Shepherds were also fierce protectors of their flocks.
v1b…I have all that I need.
Having all that we need is a right and privilege of being part of God’s flock. In all the 40 years I have walked with the Lord, I have never lacked a single thing. Although we are not shielded from difficulties, when we turn to Him in times of hardship, we will realize that He is all that we really need!
“Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread. The godly always give generous loans to others, and their children are a blessing.” Psalm 37:25-26 (NLT)
v2a: He lets me rest in green meadows…
Sheep will only lie down when they feel safe; otherwise, they remain on their feet, prepared to escape instantly if a predator appears. This verse states that Jesus provides places of safety and security, freedom from all fear, so that our bodies and minds can rest and be refreshed.
“My child, always keep hold of wisdom and a good mind. Make sure that you keep them safe. They will give you strength in life. You will enjoy life, like a beautiful necklace that you wear. You will be safe as you travel through life. There will be no danger to make you fall down. When you lie down to sleep, you will not be afraid. You will sleep well with peace in your mind. You will not be frightened of any trouble that might surprise you. Trouble may destroy wicked people, but you will know that you are safe. The Lord is the one who will take care of you. He will protect you, so that no danger can hurt you.” Proverbs 3:21-26 (EASY)
v2b: …he leads me beside peaceful streams.
Some Bible translations use the phrase “still waters.” The word “still” does not mean stagnant, undrinkable water, but gently flowing, clean, refreshing water.
Sheep will not drink from rushing water. Noisy water spooks them—they need to drink from a calm stream of fresh water! When you are stressed and tired, the Holy Spirit will help you calm down, allowing your body and mind to find renewed strength.
What do the still waters of God offer us? Clear Vision: We can see on several planes when we look down at a pond. Not only do we know what is under the water—the deep things—but we also see what is reflected on the surface of the water—ourselves. God’s Word is like a mirror, reflecting the nature of Christ and who we are in Him.
But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it. James 1:22-25 (NLT)
v3a: He renews my strength…
There will always be times in this life when we get tired and weary. But when we are exhausted, it doesn’t mean we should give up! We need to rest and allow the Lord to renew our strength so that we can continue on our journey.
“He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired,
and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:29-31 (NLT)
v3b: …He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.
Notice the word paths—it’s plural, not singular. When sheep are grazing on a hillside, they go upwards on elevated paths. Kind of like vertical steps! This means that you will go through multiple seasons and growth periods. These are singular, consecutive paths but are all connect to the one path towards spiritual maturity, holiness, and a clearer understanding of Jesus. And this brings honor to His name!
“I will stay close to you, instructing and guiding you along the pathway for your life. I will advise you along the way and lead you forth with my eyes as your guide. So don’t make it difficult; don’t be stubborn when I take you where you’ve not been before. Don’t make me tug you and pull you along. Just come with me!” Psalm 32:8-9 (TPT)
v4a: Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me…
The Good Shepherd who leads us beside the still waters of rest and the righteous paths of service, also leads us through trouble and sorrow. You may feel like you are going through a dark valley right now. Your thinking may be cloudy. Fear and anxiety might be pressing in on you. Keep this truth in mind: Jesus is the same God in your good times as He is in your bad times. Jesus is with you, He will not leave you and will lead you out to better times! Trust Him and He will do it!
“Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil! Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life!” Proverbs 3:5-8 (MSG)
v4b: …Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.
In biblical times, shepherds consistently used both a rod and a staff to tend their flocks. Both were used to protect the sheep, each in a distinct manner. The rod was a short, thick stick that would ward off potential threats. The staff had a crook that could guide and rescue sheep from precarious situations.
“The Lord says, ‘I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them.’” Psalm 91:14-15 (NLT)
v5a: You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil…
Shepherds pour oil over a sheep’s head for several practical reasons to protect the animal from harm. One primary reason is to prevent nose flies from laying eggs in the sheep’s nostrils, which can lead to painful infections and distress. The oil serves as a protective barrier from pests and disease.
Our Good Shepherd, Jesus, is not indifferent to your wounds or pain! On the contrary, Psalm 31:7 says,
“I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love, for you have seen my troubles, and you care about the anguish of my soul.” (NLT) Nothing is too small or insignificant to Him. He cleans the wound, pours in fresh oil, and heals it. When you are in turmoil or pain, let Jesus be your first go-to! Ask Him to soothe your pain and give you encompassing peace!
“Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!” Psalm 103:2-5 (NLT)
v5b: …My cup overflows with blessings.
Again, this is what the Lord does for us. He fills us to overflowing so that we demonstrate God’s nature of generosity, sharing that overflow with others.
And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. 2 Corinthians 9:8 (NLT)
v6a: Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life…
This is what your future looks like when you follow Jesus. In your wake, you leave behind a legacy of mercy and goodness! Your godly influence grows, and your life impacts those around you.
“The lovers of God will walk in integrity, and their children are fortunate to have godly parents as their examples.” Proverbs 20:7 (TPT)
v6b: …And I will live in the house of the Lord forever.
If you desire to live in the house of the Lord for eternity, it begins by acknowledging that you are a sinner, asking for forgiveness, and receiving new eternal life.
“There is no one else who has the power to save us, for there is only one name to whom God has given authority by which we must experience salvation: the name of Jesus.” Acts 4:12 (TPT)
In His Loving Name,
Life With Father Ministries
Jesus shared the following story to reveal His true nature and intentions for us. “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it?” Luke 15:4 (NLT)
Our wonderful Shepherd, Jesus, doesn’t just let you be. He didn’t say that He would just take care of the good sheep, the ones who didn’t wander, get lost, or get trapped. He leaves all He has just so that He could look for YOU! And notice how this verse says that He relentlessly searches for you, until He finds you! Today, He calls you by name! Let yourself be found by Him!
If you are not sure where you will spend eternity (and by the way, there are only TWO places of eternal residency—with Jesus or without Him!) Today, without putting it off another minute, why don’t you make your future certain and secure? With all sincerity, you can pray the following prayer and be assured of eternal salvation. And get into a good church as soon as possible, that will help you grow spiritually (this is also non-negotiable if you want to mature in your faith.)
PRAYER FOR SALVATION:
Dear Jesus, I acknowledge that I am a sinner, and I need forgiveness. (Romans 6:23) Jesus, you took my place and died on the Cross. Today I accept your gift of sacrifice on the Cross as payment for my sins. I ask you to forgive me of all wrong, come into my heart, make me a new person, and give me eternal life. I ask you to be my Lord and Savior. Thank you, Lord, for giving me newness of life! Amen.