Psalm 23

I have been waiting to get to this Psalm!

Who grew up in church and didn't have to memorize Psalm 23?  
And who, growing up in America hasn't heard it even quoted in a film or tv show
at a moment of intense sorrow or trial?    (I remember several episodes of Little House on the
Prairie where this was quoted!)

But who paid a lot of real attention to the meaning of it?   I know I really didn't.  Not then.

If Psalm 22 was a song expressing very deep sorrow and alluding to death, now we have Psalm 23......a song of comfort, quiet peace, and trust.

Our God is likened to a shepherd.....and we, like sheep.  
The Shepherd leads......the sheep follow.
The Shepherd provides......the sheep wander aimlessly.
The Shepherd protects.......the sheep trust him and are totally dependent on him.
The Shepherd is powerful and capable.......the sheep are weak and vulnerable.

How often have we heard David speak of his weakness and vulnerability in light of his enemies?  How he has trusted in his God for provision, protection and guidance!

Verses 1-3  indicate provision in physical, emotional, and spiritual terms.  David states that God  does these things without question.  He DOES.  

Then he also alludes to terrible times when he feels like death....but deep down he knows that God is there. He will not abandon his sheep.  Even when it feels like the 'shadow of death', whether actual near death or low, low times, as in Psalm 22, David trusts his Shepherd.  And he is comforted by the rod and staff of the Shepherd.

The rod was used by a shepherd to fight off enemies of the flock like wild animals or perhaps thieves.
The staff was used by the shepherd to guide the sheep....to keep them from wandering into dangerous places.

He will not be devoured by the enemy, nor will he be lost.

The Shepherd treats him like an honored guest....preparing a banquet for him, and his enemies see this!  God treats His own with favor.  The sure hope is that he will be treated like family, dwelling in the house of God forever.

This morning, as I read this Psalm,   I was reminded of the requests of the Lord's Prayer, and the correlation between the statements here of the Shepherd's provision, and those requests.   We honor God's name and speak of our intimate relationship with Him as our Father.  We ask for daily provision of physical needs.  We ask for protection from the enemy.  And for forgiveness when we forgive others.   And for His kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth as in heaven.

Father,....again, words are lame.  They cannot convey the depth of what is in my heart.   It is indeed such a comfort to know You, and to know that you are trustworthy, constant, and present.  No matter what things look like or feel like, I know that You will provide what I need.  And I know, like David, that I won't be devoured by any enemy, nor will I wander and be lost.  Your rod, and staff........they are very comforting.
How I look forward to the great banquet someday,  where You will host all of your beloved children.  There, no enemy will threaten, nothing will lure me away, and You will be the light that makes eternal Day.
There is no enemy in this life that can take this Hope away!