“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my ...
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, 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. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:1-6
Psalm 23 depicts God’s love towards His people. It evokes images of the provision and protection of the covenant-keeping God. He promised to take care of His people and revealed Himself to be full of love, compassion, patience, fidelity and forgiveness. The Lord Jesus, our Shepherd, tells us that we shall not want. He has Gracious Sufficiency for His children. His Name is mentioned seven times in the Psalm and each time God’s Name reveals to us the reasons why “I shall not want.” Jehovah-Rohi, “The Lord is my shepherd”, points to the relationship between God and His covenant-children. Jehovah-Jireh, “The Lord will provide;” I shall not want. Jehovah-Rapha, “The Lord that heals;” He restores my soul. Jehovah-Shalom, “The Lord our peace;” He leads me beside still waters. Jehovah-Tsidkenu, “The Lord our Righteousness;” He leads me in paths of righteousness. Jehovah-Shammah, “The Lord ever present;” I will fear no evil, Thou art with me. Jehovah-Nissi, “The Lord our banner;” You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
Just think of all we have when we say, "The Lord is my shepherd." Green pastures speaks of provision; God’s care is not seasonal but constant and abundant. Still waters speaks of peace. The restoring of my soul speaks of pardon. Leading in the paths of righteousness speaks of providence. His being with me in the dark valley speaks of presence; the Shepherd Who guides is always with His sheep even in the darkest and most trying of hours. His rod and staff speaks of preservation and His constant vigilance over His own. The table in the presence of my enemies speaks of protection and vindication. The anointing of my head with oil and overflowing speaks of plenty and God’s reward. Dwelling in the house of the Lord speaks of
paradise.
The goodness of God over His people is constant. The Lord is our Shepherd, He provides rest and guidance, protection, food and
fellowship. He provides for all of our basic needs in life. We are not told by the psalmist that our cup will always be full or our heads will always be anointed with oil, but we do have the assurance that God’s beneficence will be our lifelong companion.
Remain blessed.
E. O. Medaiyese, Snr. Pastor.
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