Psalm 23: 1-3
A Psalm of David
The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.
He restores my soul;
He guides me in the paths of righteousness
For His Name's sake.
This is perhaps the most beloved Psalm.
David likened himself to a sheep. He had been his father's shepherd, before he became king over all Israel. He knew what sheep are like.
Sheep need a shepherd to guide them, or they will go off in the wrong direction, into danger, and all the other sheep will follow. Just like us.
The sheep do not know how to find sustenance or shelter for themselves. They are completely helpless without a shepherd (green pastures).
They will not approach a moving river or stream, because their wool will absorb the water, drawing them into the depths to their death. So the shepherd brings them to the quiet pool he has made from the stream.
The shepherd is totally responsible for the well-being of each sheep in the flock, calls them all by name, and protects them from all predators.
So the shepherd is the one who benefits from all his work keeping the flock.
David considered the Lord to be his Shepherd, Who provides everything he needs, not himself. God is the One Who is the Source for everything we need, and His hand gives all the Earth its bounty. When we change our attitudes to be dependent on God instead of ourselves, He will show Himself to be generous in His giving out His bounteous provisions. It is He Who gives each of us our talents, and our abilities, and our being able to have prosperity in every way.
We can depend on Him and acknowledge His provision and give Him credit for everything we have been able to do, or we can exalt ourselves as though we did anything of ourselves: then He will give us the results of our choices, whether good or bad; whether we cooperate with Him and enjoy His bounty, or take His glory for ourselves and suffer loss. It's our choice.
O my Father, strengthen me with Your Spirit, to cover my weaknesses of wanting to bypass Your good road for any "shortcut" I may think I see. Help me to run from every temptation to take any credit for myself, and to face the enemy with Your armor and Your Word to dispel him.
I am Your sheep, Your little lamb, and You are my Good Shepherd, Who calls me by name and cares for me, meeting my every need and protecting me from all dangers that are designed for my destruction.
Thank You, Father, for Your care, Your provisions, and Your protection. Thank You for teaching me and training me and molding me into the very image of Your dear Son, my Lord Jesus. Please continue to draw me ever closer to You, making me into one who can withstand the power and volume of Your great Glory, to live with You forever and give You all the praise and glory ever more.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
