Week of February 23

The immortal words of Winston Churchill, “Never give up,” encouraged Great Britain in World War II to summon a deep inner resolve to withstand the darkness and doubt they faced from an unrelenting enemy attack on their homeland. The 23rd Psalm has long been called a “song of confidence,” not from inner resolve, but from God’s sheltering care. This awareness makes all the difference in the world, because God provides every resource needed for our lives!

We need this psalm in this our own global hour of crisis when billions are hungry, without water, lack shelter, and long for security. Furthermore, political machinations, economic distress, and senseless and unrelenting violence oppress us. We need a shepherd in this hour and God stands ready for the task!

We do not know the circumstances behind what is, perhaps, the best-known psalm in the Book of Psalms. Some suggest David wrote the hymn when he took flight from Absalom in the wilderness. Others believe the psalm refers to a king who was in some difficulty, but who was confident in God’s ability to deliver. Regardless of the setting, the psalm expresses confidence in God’s goodness in this life and the life to come (EBC). Even a casual reading of the psalm provides the reader with two predominant images—God as shepherd (vv. 1-4) and God as host (vv. 5-6). Both images offer us comfort in life’s trials whatever they may be. Therefore, the psalm has been universally appealing, for it provides support to those who have encountered the most difficult circumstances in life.

He shepherds His people. The word “shepherd” arouses profound images of God’s oversight, protection, and care. His “love, compassion, patience, fidelity, and forgiveness” all come to mind when we ponder the depth of meaning in the shepherd metaphor (see EBC; Exodus 34:6-7). God is personal (“my shepherd”), meaning He is an individual God and not just the Lord over the whole nation. Whatever difficulty the psalmist faced, he expresses a testimony of the God who entered his world and ministered to his need. We are invited to do the same! The psalm invites us to turn our worries into worship and our pressures into pious expressions of hope in God’s ability to deliver us from our troubles. We may see other ways this Shepherd cares for His sheep.

God supplies all our needs. “I shall not be in want,” means that the supplicant will not “lack,” “be without,” or “have nothing.” Because God is our shepherd, we will have need of nothing (Handbook). The psalmist assures us that God has a place for us to lie down and find rest (23:2; cf. John 14:1-3). “Green pastures,” or fields where grass is abundant, provide the Lord’s sheep with their daily needs (cf. Matthew 6:11). Various human rights statements in the last half century have expressed the longing of humanity for the various things the Lord provides His people. God also gives His people “waters of quietness” or “refreshing streams.” God makes life good and worth living (23:3; “restores”)!

God directs our steps. The shepherd provides guidance for the sheep as well (23:3b-4b). Amid trials, God is a shepherd that protects the sheep (23:4c). His guidance and protection lead the sheep to the intended destination (“paths of righteousness”). God knows what lies ahead and He does not lead His sheep in circles (Matthew 6:13). Even if the path takes them through the “valley of the shadow of death,” they still are to have no fear (cf. Acts 27:9-10, 21-23, & 34-36).

God is present among His people. The Lord is also “my” Host (cf. 23:5-6). So many of the world’s population have been excluded from the presence of those who govern over them. In fact, much of the world suffers extreme neglect and hardship at the hands of royalty. Not so with this King! He has prepared a banquet feast for His children (cf. Isaiah 25:6-8). Their dignity is indicated by anointing them with oil (Psalm 45:7; 02:10; 133:2; Luke 7:46). The “cup” signifies the “gracious and beneficent” manner of entertainment (EBC). This God vindicates His servant in the face of his enemies (cf. Philippians 2:9-11). His presence erases all the sorrows and sufferings His servants have faced (Revelation 21:4). This extraordinary love and presence will not end (23:6)! Everything that we read in this psalm serves to remind us that God is loyal to His children. We know that the cup may not always seem to be full, nor do our heads always seem anointed with oil, but we can also know that God’s beneficence will be forever our companion (cf. Acts 27:23; Revelation 21:7), and His promises will be fulfilled.

The movie, Dunkirk, portrayed the famous World War II battle when the enemy pinned down Allied forces on the beach in France with no apparent means of escape. I watched the show recently and found myself wondering what it must have been like to walk through such a dark hour. Many of the soldiers on that beach felt entirely abandoned and without hope. When help finally arrived across the English Channel, the battle-weary troops let out a roar of fresh hope. Their deliverers had arrived.

Here is a spiritual thought. Most of us do not face bombs and bullets each day, but we have been battered and pinned down by life’s circumstances. I often hear people express the fear that God has abandoned them in their difficulty. This simply is not so. As J. I. Packer once said, “God has not abandoned us any more than he abandoned Job. He never abandons anyone on whom he has set his love; nor does Christ, the good shepherd, ever lose track of his sheep.” Trust the Lord, your Shepherd.

1. Walk through the various statements in the psalm and write down the many ways that God has been your Shepherd, despite your difficulties. He fed you, gave you rest when you were weary, etc. Then, thank Him.

2. Find ways to take the points of trust about God’s character in this psalm and use them as petitions for God to shepherd and host the great portion of this world that walks through the valley of the shadow of death each day. Ask God to feed, provide water, and give shelter to our world. THEN, do something. Take the active step of supporting an orphaned child or donating your time to the homeless in your city (Matthew 25:31-40). 

3. For Families: All of us can relate to the Good Shepherd image in this Psalm. A quick google search for “The Lord is my Shepherd, images” also brings up dozens of heart-warming paintings of Jesus with lambs.

Gather your little ones around your computer and show them several of these pictures. Ask them, which ones are their favorites and why? Ask them what a lamb must be wanting, and how the shepherd provides what the little lambs need. Green grass? Clean water? A safe place to lie down and rest? Someone to keep the dangers away? Someone to love and care for them? Yes. Listen to all of their thoughts. Then share what Jesus provides for us from the devotional above. He will always be our Good Shepherd. Because He cares for us, we can be at peace. Thank Him together.

May your paths be straight,
Larry C. Ashlock