Psalm 23 - Part 3

How Do You See Yourself?

David has not only beautifully described the role of our Shepherd, but he has also recognised himself to be God’s sheep. He knows his strengths and weaknesses. He acknowledges them and boasts about the grace of God that alone carries him through. 

Psalm 100 : 3

Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. 

As a sheep, he knew that there were times he got distracted and strayed away from the word, presence and promises of God. He went on his own on dangerous paths; yet he was never afraid because his Shepherd was always around. With His rod and staff, he would discipline and comfort getting him back on the right track. 

He is assured that he will always walk in the grace, favour and victory of God. He was calm because he knew the power of God. He knew that His Shepherd will always be faithful and will love him and care for him even in his darkest hours. He was sure of being encompassed by His presence till eternity. Can you trust that your Shepherd watches over you with the same confidence that David had?

Psalm 23 ~ Part 2

DO YOU KNOW HIM?

A part of Psalm 23 talks about the Shepherd. While meditating on this Psalm, all I could imagine was the intimacy between David and God. He knew His Shepherd so well. No wonder he could so freely and without any shame worship the Lord. No wonder he was so crazily in love with the Lord. He talks about how the Shepherd loves, cares and corrects. Jesus has laid down the best example of a good shepherd. https://www.google.co.in/amp/s/www.biblegateway.com/passage/%3fsearch=Isaiah+40:11&version=NIV&interface=amp

A few qualities I could understand about what David saw in the Lord were :

1. He takes care of all our needs. There’s nothing we need to worry about when we know that our Shepherd is in control. https://www.biblestudytools.com/matthew/passage/?q=matthew+6:25-34
2. He ensures that we are satisfied and that we will lack nothing. He is sensitive to our needs and proves to be more than enough for us. He comforts His sheep with His presence. When the Shepherd is around, the sheep will be at peace and will have a sense of security. https://www.google.co.in/amp/s/www.biblegateway.com/passage/%3fsearch=Psalm+27:3&version=ESV&interface=amp
3. The sight of the Shepherd rejuvenates the sheep. They can trust their Shepherd to lead them in the paths that are right and involves no danger. The Shepherd is always around and never leaves His sheep. https://www.google.co.in/amp/s/www.biblegateway.com/passage/%3fsearch=Psalm+27:10&version=NIV&interface=amp
4. He disciplines and comforts because He loves His sheep. With a rod, a shepherd can gently nudge a stray sheep back into line or, using the hook, pull a sheep from a dangerous spot. The rod is also used as a weapon to defend the flock against wolves and other invaders. He makes provision for His sheep in advance. His anointing over His sheep is enough to get them abundant blessings. When the battle seems lost, the Shepherd completely turns the table in favour of His sheep. He ensures that His sheep is always on the winning side, even if it means laying down His own life. https://www.google.co.in/amp/s/www.biblegateway.com/passage/%3fsearch=John+10:11&version=NIV&interface=amp