Walking with the Shepherd (Part 1)

This psalm is probably one of the first psalms we’re taught, as kids. I remember how, in Sunday school, my classmates and I used to recite it to each other to see who could say it the fastest. But what I could quote with great gusto when I was young, I now say with a lump in my throat as I’ve grown older — because this psalm is no longer just some verses locked up in my memory, but a testimony about my Saviour’s care for me.

Throughout Scripture, God has constantly referred to His people as the sheep of His pasture. Sheep are animals that constantly need to be led, that stray at the slightest opportunity and that get easily scared. Just like us. God knows how fickle we are, what our nature is like and that we need help constantly. And when we read this psalm in that light, we begin to understand the depth of His care.

Psalm 23:1 – The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.

Our shepherd takes ownership. Being a shepherd is no easy task. When a person considers buying sheep, he knows it will be a commitment that will require all of his time and effort. Day or night, summer or winter, in good weather or bad, he has to nurture, preserve, guide and protect this band of helpless creatures. Creatures who despite being led by him for years will be prone to making the same mistakes time and time again.

After he buys them, the shepherd marks the sheep by cutting a small design into the ear to denote them as his. It is a painful process for both the sheep and the owner. Our Shepherd too paid an infinitely costly price in order to call us His own. However, we were not bought with mere silver or gold, but with something far more precious: His blood (1 Peter 1:19-20). When we commit to following Him, He marks each of us with His blood to show that we are His. We are branded for life and He is no longer just the Shepherd, but my shepherd and yours — a very personal One who does not just lead us en masse like a flock, but looks after us individually.

Our Shepherd is a personal One who does not just lead us en masse like a flock, but looks after us individually

The beauty of this relationship is that once He becomes our Shepherd, our lives take on new meaning. He will not only lead the way, but He promises to provide for all our needs along the way. Our wants may be many, but He will provide exactly what we need, when we need it — and it will always be more than sufficient.

Psalm 23:2 – He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside the still waters. 

He provides for our physical needs. Sheep do not know how to fend for themselves or to look for food. They have to be led to green pastures and fed. Even to drink water, the water has to be still and not fast-flowing or the sheep are afraid to approach it. Our shepherd knows our day-to-day needs and often provides for them even before we ask Him. The same God who feeds the sparrows that are worth less than a penny, and clothes the short-lived lilies with splendour greater than a king, gives us our daily bread and provides us with shelter, clothing and more (Matthew 6:26-30). Morning by morning, He will always be faithful to provide all we need for that day.

Psalm 23:3a – He restores my soul.

He provides for our emotional needs. It’s not only our daily physical needs that the Shepherd sees to, but our emotional strength for the journey ahead as well. He knows how frail and weak we are. The other day, my mother reminded me that, many a time, our Shepherd knows the way ahead is going to be particularly difficult and tiresome. So, He prepares us in advance and makes us lie down in green pastures by giving us His precious promises to cling to. He rests our souls and makes them still — even when all around us is turmoil. 

No one knows our hearts like He does and no one can restore us like He can

In the book, A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, W. Philip Keller talks about how sheep get cast down at times. They fall over and don’t know how to get back on their feet. If they remain in that position for too long, they die, because their air supply would get cut off. When a shepherd restores a cast down sheep, he turns the sheep over gently, all the while reassuring it with the shepherd’s gentle touch and familiar voice.

What a beautiful picture of how the Lord deals with us! Where do we run to when we are upset or cast down? Is it to the Shepherd of our souls who always welcomes us with open arms? When we are discouraged, no one knows our hearts like He does and no one can restore us like He can. He reassures us of His love through His Word and His Spirit and helps us get back on our feet.

Mathew 11:28-29 says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest [emphasis mine]. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

What is your need today? Are you worried about your future? Is there a problem you are facing that you can’t share with anyone else? Are your circumstances overwhelming and stretching you beyond bearing? Go to the Shepherd today and pour out your heart. He is ever ready to listen, restore and carry you through.