The Good Shepherd

by Raymund Tamayo

Photo courtesy of: www.plainbibleteaching.com

Psalm 23 is one of the most powerful and personal passages in the Bible. Every time I read it, every sentence strikes a chord in my heart every time.

"The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for His name’s sake." Psalm 23:1-3

Then it goes from addressing the Shepherd from a third person point of view to a second person point of view, which is much more intimate.

"Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." Psalm 23:4

"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely Your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." Psalm 23:5-6

What comforts me is the passage's confidence in the Lord. King David really believes this about God, his heavenly Father. I want to do the same.

David has experienced God in these ways, that is why he can say these things. And having been a shepherd himself, these are solid convictions.

All of us, we are like sheep as we travel through this journey of life here on earth. Even though we sometimes think we know it all or we have all the power to do anything we want, in reality we are weak, helpless, and not in control. 

The COVID-19 pandemic taught us that. Even our grandest plans are not sure. We are not in control.

We need a Shepherd to provide for us, guide us, protect us, and show us the way through life.

What a joy to know that it is free to have a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ! Knowing that God is with us, we can go to bed at night with the assurance He has forgiven our sins through the blood of Jesus and we are promised with eternal life when we pass from this life to the next.

We can wake up and know there are many who love us and care for us because we have the same heavenly Father and we are brothers and sisters in Christ.

We can live our lives and know whenever we make mistakes or when things fall apart, our Father can still use them ultimately for our good.

When was the last time you heard of a sheep having anxiety problems? When did one of them stay awake at night because they were worried the wolf would come or there would be no food tomorrow? 

Sheep trusts its shepherd. We should do the same because Jesus Himself is our good Shepherd. We are always safe in His arms.