The Lord Is Your Shepherd
Psalm 23 is one of the most encouraging and reassuring Scriptures in the Bible. It is one of our favorite psalms, and it is about the Lord providing for us, protecting us, and favoring us like a shepherd. And who better to write this beloved psalm than King David himself who was once a shepherd?
David was a young shepherd boy with the anointing of a king, and he knew how to watch over and take care of his sheep. When a lion and a bear attacked his flock, he defended his sheep, and God delivered the wild beasts into David’s hands. Later, David became the leader over the flock of Israel, and he wrote this psalm, which is just about everybody’s favorite passage of Scripture.
THE LORD IS YOUR PROVIDER.
David wrote, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1 KJV). David realized it was ultimately the responsibility of the shepherd to sustain the sheep. The sheep were never in want because the shepherd sought out green pasture for them to graze and water for them to drink. “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters” (verse 2).
The sheep were not out there fretting and wondering what they were going to eat the next day. They depended on the shepherd’s guidance, and when they had consumed one pasture, the shepherd had already gone before them and found another field.
As Christians, it is our responsibility to work hard and provide for ourselves and our families, but God is our ultimate provider. He is Jehovah Jireh. The Apostle Paul said, “My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).
THE LORD IS YOUR PROTECTOR.
David continued the psalm, saying, “He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake” (verse 3). Not only did the shepherd guide the sheep with his staff, he also protected them with it. When a wild animal came to try to devour one of the sheep, the shepherd would take his staff and knock him clean out with it.
“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” (verse 4). The sheep felt safe and secure, even in dark valleys, because the shepherd was with them. If they fell in a ditch, the shepherd would use the hook on his staff and gently pull them out with it.
No wonder David wrote, “And he (God) inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord” (Psalm 40:1-3). Glory to God.
THE LORD'S FAVOR WILL FOLLOW YOUR LIFE.
“Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies…” (verse 5). The shepherd’s sheep were sustained, protected, and they were at ease, just chewing up the grass while the wolves and lions watched them eat in peace, and there was nothing they could do about it because of the shepherd.
Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” (John 10:27-28).
When God’s favor is on your life, there is nothing your enemies can do about it. The devil told God in Job 1 he couldn’t even get to Job because he had a hedge of protection around him. God’s presence is surrounding you. His angels are encamped around you (Psalm 34:7). Your enemies may plot and strategize, but their plans will come to nothing. The weapon may be formed but it will not prosper (Isaiah 54:17).
“… Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over” (verse 5). The shepherd would rub oil over the sheep to protect them from insect bites, and similarly, the anointing of the Holy Spirit protects us from demonic attacks. The enemy cannot penetrate the anointing.
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever” (verse 6). God’s blessings are chasing after you. He is a good God, and he loves you. You do not have to fret about your needs or your enemies. God is watching over you. All your needs will be met, and your life will be blessed because your life is in the hands of the Good Shepherd.
God Bless,
Pastors Sean and Aimee Pinder
David was a young shepherd boy with the anointing of a king, and he knew how to watch over and take care of his sheep. When a lion and a bear attacked his flock, he defended his sheep, and God delivered the wild beasts into David’s hands. Later, David became the leader over the flock of Israel, and he wrote this psalm, which is just about everybody’s favorite passage of Scripture.
THE LORD IS YOUR PROVIDER.
David wrote, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1 KJV). David realized it was ultimately the responsibility of the shepherd to sustain the sheep. The sheep were never in want because the shepherd sought out green pasture for them to graze and water for them to drink. “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters” (verse 2).
The sheep were not out there fretting and wondering what they were going to eat the next day. They depended on the shepherd’s guidance, and when they had consumed one pasture, the shepherd had already gone before them and found another field.
As Christians, it is our responsibility to work hard and provide for ourselves and our families, but God is our ultimate provider. He is Jehovah Jireh. The Apostle Paul said, “My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).
THE LORD IS YOUR PROTECTOR.
David continued the psalm, saying, “He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake” (verse 3). Not only did the shepherd guide the sheep with his staff, he also protected them with it. When a wild animal came to try to devour one of the sheep, the shepherd would take his staff and knock him clean out with it.
“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” (verse 4). The sheep felt safe and secure, even in dark valleys, because the shepherd was with them. If they fell in a ditch, the shepherd would use the hook on his staff and gently pull them out with it.
No wonder David wrote, “And he (God) inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord” (Psalm 40:1-3). Glory to God.
THE LORD'S FAVOR WILL FOLLOW YOUR LIFE.
“Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies…” (verse 5). The shepherd’s sheep were sustained, protected, and they were at ease, just chewing up the grass while the wolves and lions watched them eat in peace, and there was nothing they could do about it because of the shepherd.
Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” (John 10:27-28).
When God’s favor is on your life, there is nothing your enemies can do about it. The devil told God in Job 1 he couldn’t even get to Job because he had a hedge of protection around him. God’s presence is surrounding you. His angels are encamped around you (Psalm 34:7). Your enemies may plot and strategize, but their plans will come to nothing. The weapon may be formed but it will not prosper (Isaiah 54:17).
“… Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over” (verse 5). The shepherd would rub oil over the sheep to protect them from insect bites, and similarly, the anointing of the Holy Spirit protects us from demonic attacks. The enemy cannot penetrate the anointing.
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever” (verse 6). God’s blessings are chasing after you. He is a good God, and he loves you. You do not have to fret about your needs or your enemies. God is watching over you. All your needs will be met, and your life will be blessed because your life is in the hands of the Good Shepherd.
God Bless,
Pastors Sean and Aimee Pinder
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