Psalm 23

 

I have been studying Psalm 23 for a few weeks now, breaking each verse down one by one. I have been learning about sheep and shepherds.

How a good shepherd will take care of his sheep.

While on vacation we drove past some sheep farms and I noticed that some of the pastures were dry and not really much for the sheep to eat. There was one that had the lushest green pasture for the sheep. Some of the sheep were lying down and resting, some were walking around and nibbling on the lush green food.

It reminded me of the verse “he makes me lie down in green pastures.”  What I learned about a sheep is that they won’t rest if there is friction with other sheep, tormenting flies or parasites, or they are hungry.

Seeing the sheep lying down resting told me that they had no worries, they felt safe in the shepherd’s care.

The lush green pasture told me that the shepherd was making sure that his sheep had something to eat, that they didn’t need to worry about food.

A good shepherd makes sure his sheep are taken care of, he provides for them, he protects them from their enemies, and he anoints them with oil.  

Jesus our shepherd does the same thing,

·         He provides for us, (but my God shall supply all of your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus – Phil 4:19).

·         He protects us from our enemies (You are my hiding place, You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance – Psalm 32:7)

·         He anoints us with oil (you anointed my head with oil – Psalm 23:5).

Our Shepherd takes us to a place of comfort and peace, protects us in times of trouble and provides us with food in hard times. He also provides us with nourishment necessary for our life’s purpose.

Do you trust the Good Shepherd to take care of you? Can you rest knowing that the Shepherd is providing for you? Is protecting you from your enemies? Has anointed your head with oil?

In closing I would like to share Psalm 23.

“The Lord is my shepherd and I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth 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 thou are with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou prepares a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth 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.”