The Good Shepherd

“The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭23:1-6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Most of us can recite Psalm 23.  It is read at funerals and brings a sense of hope in times darkness and loss.  But it also says a lot about life.  Verses 1-3 describe a personal intimate relationship.  The Lord’s guidance, His presence in our lives begins the moment we say yes to following Him.

So what does the journey of life look like in the company of the shepherd?
What comes to your mind when your hear I shall not want, lie down in green pastures, and led beside still waters?  Peace? Joy? Fulfillment? Our journey won’t always be easy, but the picture of quietness and peace shows us that God is us rest; restores our souls when we become weary.  He guides us to paths of righteous .  God doesn’t want you depressed or fearful or fussing and wringing your hands.  For His sake, He wants to guide on a straight path of righteousness.  He wants you to be who you were meant to be: a person at peace, a person of joy, a person filled with the Holy Spirit.

Now let’s talk about verse 4.  We all will go through dark valleys. We will experience gloom, fear, and distress in our life. You may feel as tough life is over, it is finished.  When you are in this dark place, it is not your final destination.  Our Shepherd is guiding you through it.

What is the answer to getting past the dark valley?
You do not have to fear, God is with you. All the things that keep pulling you down, give to the Good Shepherd who is there with His rod and staff to comfort you.  When the road becomes frightening, He uses the rod and staff to keep you going through it.

Satan and his demons plant ideals of gloom, fear, and that God doesn’t care.  God is light on our path, He guides you to His table in the presence the enemy.  He is throwing a party, laughing at Satan, you are no longer kept in darkness by Satan’s lies.

Now for the beautiful promise: goodness and love will follow you all your life, you will dwell in God’s house forever when your journey ends, Jesus the Good Shepherd has won victory over Satan.
Yes this Psalm comforts those who are grieving but importantly it describes what it is like to follow the Good Shepherd through the journey of life!
Remember God loves you and so