Psalm 23 is a prayer of confidence in God to protect and provide. He is the Great Shepherd who will lead us through life’s dark valleys on earth to the eternal pastures of peace and blessings.
A Psalm of comfort
Feeling anxious? Feeling forsaken, in despair, and abandoned? Are you struggling with disappointment and doubt? Are you worried with uncertainty about your future and your safety?
You need the assurance and comfort of God’s presence. You need to hear the promises of God and be reminded of the benefits of believing in Him as your God.
Psalm 23 comforts the worried and doubtful souls with assurances that God is their protector and provider. It reminds them that He loves them and will bless them.
A Psalm of God as our Shepherd
Psalm 23 tells us that, as our Shepherd, God shows us where to rest, how to have our needs fulfilled, and how to live honorably for Him.
In Him and by His guidance, we find rest, satisfaction, renewal. He stays with us through the journey of life in this world of sin, suffering, and death.
A Psalm of hope
We live in a world that is ruled by Satan and given over to evil. Suffering is the predictable consequence. God warned us, but we (humanity) chose sin. We rejected Him and rebelled. Now we live in a world that constantly reminds us of our failures.
But we are not forsaken. God is with those who believe Him and trust Him. His presence and promises assure us that we have nothing to fear.
His promises guarantee that this life in a world of suffering is temporary. He leads us through this life of difficulties and persecution to our final destination of safety, fulfillment, and joy. In the pasture of His world, there will be peace and contentment, with all needs met.
A Psalm of promise
Unlike this world overtaken by evil, heaven is forever. Heaven is our destiny. Heaven is where God our Shepherd is leading us. And there, we will live with Him forever in goodness and mercy.
Psalm 23
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
The Lord God, your Creator, is your caregiver. He is the one who knows you and knows what you need. He is the One to trust. He is the One to love with all your heart, soul, and mind. He loves you and wants to take care of you. As your Shepherd, He will lead you to the eternal pasture of peace and contentment. In His pasture, you will never have a need unmet. Why settle for a life without God as your Shepherd? Why settle for a life of uncertainty and worry, when the alternative is certainty and peace? Just choose God to be your Shepherd, and follow Him.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
Without God as your Shepherd, you will never find the green, eternal pasture of peace and contentment. Without God as your Shepherd, you will never experience the future of eternal fulfillment. Without God as your Shepherd, there is no hope for your eternal future. But with God as your Shepherd, you will have hope. With God as your Shepherd, you will have something to look forward to. He knows where to take you and how to get there. Is God your Shepherd? He can be. All you have to do is believe Him. Believe that He loves you and will take care of you. If you believe that, you have an eternal future to look forward to.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
When God restores your soul, He brings you back to His path. He restores you to His plan and purpose for your life. He restores you to His way of life. He restores you to the path that leads to His eternal pasture of peace and contentment. His way is the right way to find eternal bliss. Any other way is the wrong way. Any other way will lead to death and destruction. His path is a path of righteousness because it is His way. He cannot tolerate sin. Unfortunately, we cannot resist the temptations to sin. And without Him, there is no hope of being restored from sin and from the path that leads to destruction. Only in Him is there hope of restoration. If you make God your Shepherd, He will restore you and take care of you. How do you make God your Shepherd? Believe Him. Accept His way as the right way. Honor Him by accepting His will for your life. Accept His promise to restore your soul as a gift of mercy and grace.
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.
As you travel through life with the experiences of heartaches, suffering, and eventual death, you need to have something to look forward to. But is there a future to look forward to? Is there something more than death at the conclusion of our lives? There is more for those who follow God as their Shepherd. Knowing God and following Him give constant assurance all through life that all will be well in the end. Like a shepherd with a staff, God reassures us with nudges of His presence.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
In the course of this life, we make enemies. And then there are some people who just hate you no matter what you do. They are angry, bitter people. They curse God. They blaspheme His name. They hurt others. They cheat, and they steal. Evil is real and always present in this world. We are always in harm’s way. It is the way of Satan. Perhaps you have already been victimized. You know the pain of injustice and cruelty. If you make God your Shepherd, all wrongs will be made right. You will be honored and exalted. You will be showered with love and grace. In God’s pasture, He has a place specially prepared for you with eternal blessings. He will treat you with the abundance of love and kindness that can only come from God. It will infinitely exceed your comprehension and last for eternity.
6 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.
With God as your Shepherd, you have a bright future to look forward to. It is an eternal future full of God’s goodness and mercy. You will dwell with Him forever in peace and safety. Revelation 21:3-4 describes this heavenly home: “And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Do you know God as your Shepherd and your Savior? You need only to believe that His way of mercy and grace is the right way.
The Lord is my Shepherd
Do you know the Lord as your Shepherd? Do you want to know Him as your Shepherd? He wants to be your Shepherd and to lead you to the heavenly, eternal pastures. All you need to do is believe Him.
Believe that His path is the right path, and that His way is better than your way. Trust Him to take care of you. Follow Him, and discover His perfect plan for your life.
Changing your life for good
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