God, My Shepherd

Psalms 23:1-3

"(A Psalm of David.) The LORD is my shepherd; 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."

Men who were inspired and wrote Holy books did so by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. They were set apart for the purpose of divine communication of truth which was  once known only by God alone. They saw life from a higher light and were able to script down what they saw or experienced with the understanding of the divine. Some of the inspired writings was detached from the writer's personal experiences while others was a higher understanding of personal experiences which others may interpret differently without the light from God. Reading these writings, one can not but get inspired. One such inspirational writings is the book of Psalms and in particular is the book of Psalms 23. Popular as it may be, few take the time to dig out the divine inspiration behind the Psalm. David scripted the Psalm having known through lessons learned from personal experience. While others may have similar experiences like David, he chose to connect his experience(s) with the dealing of God. This may be the reason why he achieved so much by the help of God. When our experiences can be interpreted with the help of the understanding we have from the principles of God, we give Him the room to do far much more than we can think or imagine. Though David can be seen to have some elements of human weakness (just as all of us) he was helped to forge ahead inspite the weaknesses because of his bearing from the divine. We have a lot to learn from him. His experience and inspired writings will help you and I to have a good orientation to move forward with the available grace of God.

David started Psalms 23 with these words:

"The LORD is my shepherd;..."

This alone is a complete story. A story have many parts. It has a starting point, it has the main characters and a message leading to a conclusion. The experience of David that led him to this statement was that he tended his father's sheep when he was a young boy. In fact, it was during the period that he was a shepherd that God trained him on some basic principles of how to rule the people long before he became King. In a sense, people are like sheep. They need a shepherd, they need green grass to survive and be in good health. While David tended his father's sheep as a shepherd, he was inspired to see what others did not see. While his senior brothers were busy with other things, David was with the sheep somewhere in the bush. He guided them to where to get food and water and much more, he fought for their survival. David killed Goliath from the lessons he learned tending the sheep in the bush. To keep the sheep alive, he killed a lion that attempted the sheep. Imagine a young boy killing a lion, he did so because he loved the sheep. This was a risky business. The lesson learned not only helped him to kill a lion but killed Goliath and so many years later, knew how to protect his people. Now David is here saying that God is his shepherd. The shepherd learned how to shepherd from his experience with God. The leader must know how to lead from somewhere. God taught David and he put the skills learned into work. God was directing his life. God directed him to where to find life's nourishment just as he (David) directed the sheep where to find food and water. This is important because nourishment tells what you end up becoming. For David to say that God was his shepherd, it means that God was taking the lead while he (David) was following, God was nourishing him. When God moves to the right, David move as well. When God moves fast forward, David did as well. 

"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want..."

From experience, David knew that when his father's sheep followed him, they enjoy provision and protection. This knowledge helped him to communicate to us about the divine shepherd shipping. If the Lord is your shepherd, provision and protection should not be a problem. Even during draught, David knew where and how to get provision for the sheep. This is true with God. If you will allow God to be your shepherd, he knows how to get your needs met. David had faith in God, we should also.

"He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters..."

The pasture can be food and can as well be cushion. To "..lie down in green pasture...", suggests being surrounded with abundance. This is possible if "The Lord is my shepherd...". This shepherd is the producer of abundance. If He so wish, you will never lack so long as you allow Him to be your shepherd.

"...he leadeth me beside the still waters..."

Turbulent waters carries debris which is unhealthy for consumption. It carries diseases and at same time doesn't allow for good grazing. Still waters on the other hand, is clear and can be easily consumed (in most cases). This is exactly what God will do for anyone who will follow Him. He will allow you to consume healthy 'waters'. On the other hand, still waters is laminar flow and can easily be predicted as to direction of flow. God can reduce the turbulence in a person's life. When God leads, He brings calmness and stability. Your life will see a new level of calmness if you will allow God to be your shepherd. He will lead you "... beside the still waters...". David had this confidence in God.

"...He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake."

The restored soul is brought back to where it ought to be. It was off tangent but the good shepherd of the sheep brought it back to where it ought to be. Once lost but now found, once gone astray but now brought to light. The leading must continue after the restoration. This is going to happen for The Lord's sake. Ultimately, it is for His pleasure.

"...He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake."

The path of righteousness is the path of still waters. Righteousness is when the waters is not dirty. Righteousness is when a life reflects God. It is all going to happen for His name's sake. The shepherd of our souls is having everything ready for our good for His name's sake.

Reading further Psalms 23, we see the so many good things that will happen if we allow God to be the shepherd of our souls.

Psalms 23:4

"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."

No matter the danger, the shepherd got you covered. No need of fear and no need to worry because the shepherd's staff will comfort. You are covered! Situations will surface looking as though you will sink, look up to the shepherd and hold His staff, you will get succor. You will not have any one that will be an enemy to the extent that will make you extinct. Verse 5 assures us that in the midst of enemies, you will feast because you will be covered with the anointing of God. Verse 6 concludes the chapter by saying that if the good shepherd of our souls is in charge, without doubt, goodness will follow us every day to the fullest of our lives.

In the new year, allow The Good Shepherd to take control. Allow Him to take the lead. Allow Him to provide and protect. The year is new but soon, we will be into it fully. Not long, it will finish and another year will come. Let every day starts and ends with the good shepherd. Let Him lavish you with His love and care. Look up to Him. Listen to His word. The year will go well. Goodness and mercy will follow. Pasture and still waters will be in abundance. Your soul will find rest. You are covered and no evil overcome you so long as you allow Him to be the shepherd. This is what Jesus told his disciples:

St. John 10:11 "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep."

Jesus will do anything according to the provision of heaven to keep you. Let him shepherd your life this year and beyond.

Pray:

My Father and my God, You are the good shepherd of my soul. I come to You in the name of Jesus and submit to Your leadership as the shepherd of my soul. I know that it shall go well with me through the year and beyond. I surrender to Your will. This I pray in Jesus name. Amen!