The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want

I hope everyone enjoyed Father’s Day this past Sunday. It will be some time before I see my father again as he passed several years ago. I do get to reminisce how great of a man he was and how he was a Godly example to his family.

The kids, Emma, Kaden and Hannah, took the family out to lunch and we had a great time. Kaden and Emma will never know how proud their mother and I are of them. Hannah married into the family, so she is our plus one. God put her in Kaden’s life and now she is stuck with us.

Let’s look at Psalm 23. To give it perspective, we must put it in context with scripture around it.

Psalm 22, 23, and 24 are somewhat of a trilogy. In Psalm 22 The Good Shepherd gives his life for his sheep.

In Psalm 23 The Good Shepherd has risen from the dead and cares for his sheep.

In Psalm 24 he appears as the King of Glory to reward his people. Back when this chapter was written, there was a better understanding of the content as Israel in ancient times was much more rural.

Verse 1, “The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want.”

The Shepherd referred to here is Jehovah, a covenant provider. It also refers to Christ as the Good Shepherd, risen from the dead to tend his flock’s every need. The sheep’s every needs are so completely supplied for, there is nothing they could want more.

Verse 2, “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.”

Sheep don’t just lie down. Four requirements must be met. 1. They must not be afraid. 2. There can’t be any friction among the sheep, no trouble makers. 3. They must be free of pests and parasites they are susceptible to. 4. They must have full bellies. Then they can lie down.

The still waters refers to calm water, they can get swept away by fast moving currents. God does not overlook any detail in our care. In our Christian walk it is easy to go astray and follow the wrong lead

Verse 3, “He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in paths of righteousness for his names sake.”

Verse 4, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.”

When sheep graze, flies lay eggs in their nostrils and they hatch and burrow into their head. They will rub their foreheads on the ground and even run into trees to stop the torment.

The shepherd traveled light. He would carry his rod and staff along with a bag with his water and food as well as first aid supplies for the sheep. He had a horn filled with oil and tar or sulfur. He would then pour it over the head of the animal to provide relief and protection from further injury.

This was also a depiction of how the Holy Spirit would minister to us after Christ Ascension. We must allow God alone to fight our battles. The only time we are told to fight the Good fight of Faith.

Verses 5 and 6, “Thou preparest a table in the presence of mine enemies: thou annointest 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.”

Mercy is another covenant word for a steadfast love. Together with goodness it refers to a steadfast kindness and support from a God that is able to provide no matter what the season.

The Shepherd will always be there to protect and provide for you. Then you will be a place of rest and assurance only God can provide and you will want for nothing; because He is all you need. Remember to look only to Him.