Psalm 23 - "I Am Not Alone"

As I read Psalm 23 this morning I thought about how David grew up being a shepherd boy. He knew the life of a shepherd. Therefore, when he wrote the twenty-third Psalm he worded it with knowing fully what he was talking about. He knew the role of a shepherd was to care for his sheep. Not only did they care for their sheep but they knew exactly how to do so. They knew the importance of not allowing their sheep to stray or get hurt. A shepherd cared for their sheep just a mother or father cares for their child. They try to keep them going the right direction. Our Good Shepherd does the same. He loves us as He directs us. He desires to lead us on the right path in life. We must listen to His voice just as sheep must listen to their shepherd. Not only must we listen to His voice but we must follow where He leads us. Sometimes that is not easy for to do. It can be difficult or it can be so outrageous that it just does not make sense. But as we follow, we will be blessed with His protective hand leading us. We can be assured He won't leave us no matter what happens. We also can be assured He will provide security for us no matter what the circumstances. The first four verses of Psalm 23 are not from the shepherd's perspective but rather from the sheep's perspective. They show how sheep depend upon the shepherd for everything. It is through our Great Shepherd that we find rest even during troubling times. We receive such rest through the reading of His Word, praying, and staying in communion with Him. The 'paths of righteousness' in verse three are not always easy to walk through. The 'valley' in verse four can take a long time and have great turmoil. The thing we must remember is that He is always with us. We have nothing to fear as we lean upon His strength during tough times. The enemy will try to make us fear but we cannot give into his ways. We must stand upon the Lord's promise to be with us. Verses five and six show a host and his guest. In David's time when a person was invited into the home of a bedouin (shepherd) they knew they would be given protection over their enemy, fellowship, food, and shelter. It was the best thing to happen to a person. David was given these things but he was given a whole lot more. He was given the best of the food and not leftovers. He was given the blessing of being anointed and having more than he could ever imagine. The best thing he was given was eternal life with the Lord. We today can receive the same thing. We can be blessed by God with love, protection, mercy, and most of all eternal life with Him. All we have to do is live like David shows in this Psalm. We must trust and love God. We must allow Him to be Our Good Shepherd which means following His voice. It is not an easy road but it is a necessary road to take if we want His peace and love forever.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the reminders of Psalm 23. I was so blessed a few years ago when I realize this Psalm is not just for times of death but for all time. It is not just a comforting Psalm for those going through tough days but instead is an encouragement on how to live listening and following Your voice. Lord, cleanse me today so You can fill me to overflowing with more of You. May You be my strength throughout this day not only physically, mentally,  emotionally, and financially but most of all spiritually. Lord, be with others who need to realize how You desire for them to live in Your presence. Thank You Jesus for being My Great Shepherd. Amen.