Beloved, I am glad to share with you today the above theme from Ps 23:1 and following. Indeed, the Good Shepherd laid his life for his sheep (Ps 22:1-32; John 10:7-15). Now he goes before them. He makes them graze with tenderness; they will not lack anything since he is there, responsible for them. The sheep, those weak and dependent creatures that represent us, experience the shepherd’s care on a daily basis (Isa 40:10-11 and 49:8-12). Simple gratitude notes: I have lacked nothing (Luke 22:35), but faith affirms: I will not lack anything (at least nothing of what is necessary for my soul: it is it that is restored).
For the Lord Jesus leads me to the peaceful waters, but also to paths of righteousness; he owes it to his own name, which I bear. From verse 4, the sheep addresses him directly: “You are with me… ». In this company, even the valley of the shadow of death is no longer formidable. The leadership and the staff of this good Shepherd reassure me; it will protect me, including against my own deviations. I can, without being frightened by the presence of powerful enemies, sit at the royal table where my place has been prepared. Not for an occasional invitation, but every day of my life (2 Sam 9:9-13). And this in the house of the God of goodness and grace – my Father – in whom I dwell by faith, waiting to dwell there in reality forever.
Indeed, Psalms 23 and 24 are interpreted in a way, themselves: we find in it the perfect trust in the Shepherd, the Lord, based on the experience of what he is in every circumstance (Ps. 23), then the character of those who will have a share with Jacob (Ps. 24): two principles that Ps. 16 and 17 have highlighted in relation to Christ, and that we find in many other Psalms: to know the trust in the faithfulness of the Lord, and the practical justice that characterizes those who will stand in the holy abode of the Lord in the time of his millennial glory. But the Lord takes his place there, as King of glory. This gives us the divine side, in all its perfection, of the path followed by the Lord and the result manifested in earthly glory, in relation to the residue, to Christ, and to the Lord. We find, moreover, the precious witness for us that, on the one hand, Christ has his place and his share with the faithful in the path that God has traced for them, and that, on the other hand, he has it with Jehovah, for he was really man, and really Jehovah. But let’s get into a little more detail.
For that reassures and rejoices the soul in Ps. 23, this is not what the Lord gives, but the Lord himself. He makes us rest (for this is the natural fruit of his grace at all times and it will also be the result) in green pastures and leads us to peaceful waters. Gentle and abundant pasture, where no drought can reach, – security to enjoy and safe conduct to those divine refreshments, which one enjoys in peace, this is the portion given by the care of the Shepherd; but what gives confidence and removes fears is himself. Evil has entered the scene: we must feel it in ourselves, but Christ, in all that has surrounded him, so that he may have been seized with deep sadness and trouble; but we, more than that! The Good Shepherd, and Christ is for us the Good Shepherd , restores the soul and leads us on paths of righteousness because of his name. The blessing depends on what it is, not on what we have grasped. No doubt I have blessing and I learn to taste it in the green pastures; and, if I have been troubled or lost myself, he restores my soul. But along with sorrow and pain, sin also brought death.
So, he comes and makes me go through death and consoles me. Then there are enemies put in the way; he sets the table before me and I am satisfied with it in their presence. What a consolation, here too, for the Christian! Since it is on Jehovah himself that I am called to depend, and not on the circumstances in which I find myself, – I can say: “You have anointed my head with oil, my cup is full”. When I have seen all the sorrows and difficulties of the road, I have Jehovah Himself more distinctly as the blessing, so that I can count on it forever, for He does not change. Having experienced in the past, before all the effects of the power of the enemy, and knowing what He Himself has been to me in these circumstances, I can count on the blessing at all times, for the future. The end of the Lord’s ways is that we will be brought to dwell with Him forever.
The result for Israel – and much more for us – is more than the green pastures in which the people had originally been the flock placed by Jehovah; they are in the deep knowledge that an exercised soul has acquired from the faithfulness of Jehovah, and so, according to the bliss of his own nature, rest will be his rest. The green pastures were suitable for sheep, but the anointed head, the overflowing cup, and the house of the Lord forever, this was what suited the One who dwelt there. This is the result of the trust of the residue in the Lord while the green pastures are, in a way, lost for a time: in these conditions, one follows the Lamb. For us it’s Christ who is the Shepherd. We suffer with Him, and we also have a better blessing. In the meantime, the Shepherd’s care is there in another form.
The following verses have been compiled for your edification and grouped together for your better understanding.
The Lord is my shepherd:
· Christ the Shepherd, general references
-Provides Ps 23:1-2 Song of David. The Lord is my shepherd: I will not lack anything. 2 He makes me rest in green pastures, He directs me near the peaceful waters.
-Shows tenderness Isa 40:11 Like a shepherd, he will graze his flock, He will take the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his womb; He will lead the nursing sheep.
-Sacrifies Himself Jn 10:11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives his life for his sheep.
-Is risen Hb 13:20 That the God of peace, who brought from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of an eternal covenant, our Lord Jesus,
-Welcome the lost 1 Pet 2:25 for you were like wandering sheep. But now you have returned to the pastor and guardian of your souls.
Crown the faithful 1 Pet 5:4 And when the sovereign shepherd appears, you will obtain the incorruptible crown of glory.
· Providence gives, general references
Ps 121.3 He will not allow your foot to stagger; He who guards you will not sleep. Mt 5:45 that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He raises His sun over the wicked and the good, and He rains down upon the righteous and the unjust. Mt 6:26 Look at the birds of heaven: they do not sow or harvest, and they do not collect anything in granaries; and your Heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth much more than them? Mt 10.29 Aren’t two passerines sold for a penny? However, one does not fall to the ground without the will of your Father.
· Divine protection in battle, promised to believers
2 Ch 16:9 For the Lord extends His gaze to the whole earth, to sustain those whose hearts are entirely his. You have acted foolishly in this matter, because from now on you will have wars. Ps 34:8 The angel of jehovah stands around those who fear him, and he tears them from danger. Ps 91:4 He will cover you with his feathers, and you will find refuge under his wings; His fidelity is a shield and a breastplate. Ps 125:2 Mountains surround Jerusalem; Thus, the Lord surrounds His people, now and forever. Zec 2:9 Behold, I raise my hand against them, and they will fall prey to those who were enslaved to them. And you will know that the Lord of hosts sent me. Lk 21:18 But not a hair of your head will be lost;
· House of God, love for
1 Ch 29:3 Moreover, in my attachment to the house of my God, I give to the house of my God the gold and silver that I possess in my own right, in addition to all that I have prepared for the house of the sanctuary: Ps 23:6 Yes, happiness and grace will accompany me Every day of my life, And I will dwell in the house of The Lord for the rest of my days. Ps 26:8 Eternal! I love the stay of your house, the place where your glory dwells. Ps 27:4 I ask the Lord one thing, which I long for: I would like to dwell all my life in the house of the Lord, to contemplate the magnificence of the Lord and to admire his temple. Ps 84:11 Better one day in your forecourt than a thousand elsewhere; I prefer to stand on the threshold of my God’s house, rather than dwell in the tents of wickedness. Ps 122:1 Song of degrees. From David. I am joyful when I am told: Let’s go to the house of the Lord!
From all of the above, we note that one can read this psalm as a meditation of the Lord Jesus during His walk by faith in this world. For thelife of faith found its perfection in him, who is its leader and consumer, and who is at the head of all those who through it have received witness (Heb 11 and 12). So that it is He that we can contemplate as we read this psalm. He begins his journey, however long and trying it may be, with complete confidence. One after the other the different trials are seen in advance: the absence of food, the need to be restored, the valley of the shadow of death, the presence of enemies. But it is assured that all the resources that are in the hand of the One who leads him will suffice for everything, even the blessed arrival in the house of the Lord. The Lord knew what it was like to be restored to His trouble in John 12:27 and thus prepared for the walk in the valley where His path led Him; then, resurrected, he knew the full cup, the table set up in the presence of his enemies, the anointing of oil on his head, which consumed his consecration to his service. And soon the kingdom will manifest that cup, this table and this anointing that in this psalm Jesus anticipates by faith. Nevertheless, this psalm can be read as expressing the feelings or experience of every believer. We who are people of such small faith may well desire to realize ever more fully this joy and freedom so precious. The blessing is less apparent in the end, but much deeper and more personal, and as we have said, the soul rests on the Lord, known in all circumstances, and not on the blessing he likes to give. An exercised soul thus has as a result a much deeper blessing than a simply blessed soul. Our prayers are with you all.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite every person who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me the following prayer:
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I admit to having sinned against you and ask your forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as Lord and personal Savior. I recognize that you died on the cross of Calvary and rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me every day to the eternal life that you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal yourself to me and strengthen my heart and faith, so that your light may shine in my life right now.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for accepting me into your divine family, so that I may also contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.
I will now choose a nearby waterpoint to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
All adoration, power and glory are yours, now and for centuries of ages. Amen!
I would be happy to react to any questions and comments you may have, before sharing with you tomorrow ” the faithful put their trust in God alone.”
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you abundantly.
David Feze, Servant of the Almighty God.