The Tender Shepherd
By Sarah Ivill, Guest Writer
Today’s Treasure
"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want." Psalm 23:1
This week we are examining times in our lives when our view of God has been too limited. Can you think of a time when you worried instead of remembering God is your Warrior? Or can you recall a time when you were rocked by shocking news instead of recalling your Shepherd? Perhaps there were times when your walk with God seemed monotonous and you forgot to worship Him as the God of glory. Psalms 20-25 remind us to stop looking at our circumstances and to look to our Savior. Today, we will focus on Psalm 23. Don’t let the familiarity of it rob you of its grandeur.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for His name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley
of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
David, having been a shepherd himself, writes about the Lord as his Shepherd (Psalm 3:1-4). The king of Israel, mighty in battle and royal in court, knew what it was to feel absolute dependence as a sheep before the Shepherd. David found himself in many dangerous situations, as recorded in 1-2 Samuel, and this song sprung from a soul satisfied by the chief Shepherd. Several things are noteworthy.
First, the Lord will not withhold what David needs (Psalm 23:1). As sheep we are prone to worry, but the Lord promises to completely care for us. Second, the Lord will give him rest (v. 2). As sheep we are prone to run, not rest. Think about the busyness of our lives and how it crowds out our business with and for the Lord. The Lord offers us rest in Him so that we can stop running our own lives, stop running around trying to find life, and stop running scared from life. Third, the Lord will restore David’s soul (v. 3). As sheep we are prone to sin, but the Lord saves us and satisfies our souls. Fourth, the Lord will lead David in the right paths (v. 3). The reputation of His name is at stake if He doesn’t. As sheep, we are prone to wander, but the Lord keeps our feet on the right road. Finally, the Lord is with David in the deepest darkness of his life (v. 4). As sheep we are prone to fear, but the Lord doesn’t let our foot falter. Though His sovereignty and providence take us through the valley of the shadow of death, He is with us. Our comfort comes from His protection and instruction.
Jesus’s words, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11) gave a whole new meaning to Psalm 23. Fulfilled in Christ, these words have comforted Christians for ages. What suffering soul hasn’t clung to Christ, the chief Shepherd, in the stormy seasons of life? Knowing He is our rest, satisfaction, righteousness, protector and instructor keeps us anchored when the shadow of death seems to swallow our souls.
The Lord not only provides shelter as a shepherd, but he also provides sustenance at His supper (Psalm 23:5-6). The covenant Lord extends an invitation to us to partake in a covenant meal. With enemies defeated and a privileged position at the table, David is convinced of the covenant love of the Lord. The Lord’s steadfast love, His mercy, and goodness will pursue David as vigorously as his enemies ever had, indeed, more so. David’s seat at the table is not a possibility, but a certainty for all eternity.
All those who are in Christ have been invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb. We will sing a different song than Psalm 23 there. As the bride, we will sing a song to the Lamb, our bridegroom, giving Him glory (see Rev. 19:6-8). In the meantime, we are invited to partake of the Lord’s supper in anticipation of the day to come, and in appreciation of the day past, exalting Jesus as our Shepherd and our King.
PRAYER
Father, in the midst of hardships, help us to remember that the Lord is our Shepherd. Remind us in suffering that Your mercy and goodness pursue us until the day when we take our seat at the marriage supper of the Lamb. Amen.
More free resources for help, hope, and healing:
Treasures of Encouragement – Learn how God sends treasures of encouragement to help turn hearts toward Jesus and how the beauty, privilege, and power of biblical encouragement is a means to invite others to trust the Lord’s goodness and faithfulness in the mundane moments and especially in the broken places of life. Free supplemental resources.
About the Author: Sarah Ivill (ThM, Dallas Theological Seminary) is the author of several Bible studies and books, including The Covenantal Life: Appreciating the Beauty of Theology and Community. She is a wife, mother to four children, Bible study teacher, and conference speaker who lives in Matthews, North Carolina, and is a member of Christ Covenant Church (PCA). To learn more about Sarah, visit her website: www.sarahivill.com.
For more from Daily Treasure please visit MARKINC.ORG.
Originally published Thursday, 29 February 2024.
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