In Psalm 23, The Lord is my Shepherd, David described his relationship with God. The words of Psalm 23 should also describe the relationship between a Christian and God. Although many Christians know Psalm 23 by heart, for many Christians the words of this Psalm only remain written words. Their words, works, and behavior don’t line up with the words of Psalm 23. When is the Lord your Shepherd? What does the Lord is my Shepherd mean in your daily life?
The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want
(Psalm 23:1)
God is the great Shepherd and He sent Jesus Christ to shepherd His flock. Jesus is the good Shepherd, who gave His life for the sheep. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus gave every person the opportunity to become part of His flock and follow Him, and be saved.
When you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and accept Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord, and become a new creation; a son of God (this applies to both males and females), in Him, then the Lord is your Shepherd. If the Lord is your Shepherd, you shall not want.
When you murmur, whine, and complain all the time about your circumstances, the way people (mis)treat you, your lack in life, and constantly pray for all kinds of (material) things that, according to you, are lacking, then your words and behavior prove that the Lord is not your Shepherd. (Read also: The thankfulness of the sons of God).
Because in the first verse of Psalm 23, it is written that if the Lord is your Shepherd, you have no lack.
God provided for you and gave you everything. This means, that you are satisfied with everything, God has blessed you with.
When we look at the words and behavior of the children of Israel, when they were on their way to the promised land, we read that they murmured and complained all the time (i.e.Exodus 16:7-8, Numbers 14:27,36, 16:11, 17:5, 1 Corinthians 10:10).
No matter what God did and how God provided, it was never good enough for them.
Why? Because they had a different expectation of God and God’s provision. And they constantly looked back to their old lives in Egypt.
They just couldn’t let go of their old lives. They didn’t remember their hardships when they lived in the bondage of Pharaoh and how they cried out to God for help. No, because one of the many characteristics of the old carnal man is that they idealize the past and forget all the negative things of the past.
God is Jehovah Jireh
The way God provided for them and how He led them to the promised land, didn’t line up with their expectation and the way they wanted to be led and provided. They didn’t look at their provision. Instead, they looked at the things they were lacking, according to them.
The Lord was their Shepherd. He went before them and led them and provided for them. But they didn’t acknowledge God as their Shepherd. They were not thankful for His provisions. But they always looked at the things, they didn’t have.
Unfortunately, many Christians, who remain carnal and walk after the flesh, have the same behavior. They are constantly looking at things, which according to them, are lacking. Therefore, they are never satisfied with the things they do have.
Instead of being thankful for what they have, they complain and murmur about the things that other people have, but they don’t. If you live like that, then you can never be grateful. You shall always murmur and complain to people and God. (Read also: Stop blaming God!).
But if the Lord is your Shepherd then you shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures: He leads me beside the still waters
(Psalm 23:2)
If the Lord is your Shepherd, you shall listen to Him. You shall humble yourself and allow Him to lead you. You shall follow Him and His Word and stay obedient to Him. Instead of becoming rebellious and departing from Him and His Word. His words lead you and produce life and peace in your life. You shall be satisfied, and happy and experience the peace of God in every situation.
There will be storms in your life and the things in life may not always line up with your expectations or your dreams. But because you have laid down your own life on the altar and gave yourself to Christ, you shall endure and experience His peace, love, and joy in every situation.
You shall be complete in Him and not lack anything. You shall not be worried, because you are focused on Him; the Word, and not on yourself.
The Lord shall make you lie down in green pastures, where He feeds you with His words. He shall lead you beside still waters as long as you stay in Him
He restores my soul
(Psalm 23:3)
This part has different meanings because the position of the fallen man has been restored in Jesus Christ. When you identify yourself with His death and resurrection and become a new creation, then you are risen from the dead and shall live.
The Word has restored you and reconciled you with the Father. The Word not only restored you, but the Word also renews and refreshes you every day of your life.
He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake
As long as you stay obedient to Him and led by His Word, and do what He has commanded you to do, you shall walk in the path of righteousness.
You shall walk according to His will and His commandments. You shall do the things, which please Him. So that, you give Him all honor and glory, and through your words, behavior, and your life, you shall honor and exalt His Holy Name.
Yea, though you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me
(Psalm 23:4)
If the Lord is your Shepherd, He shall be with you all the time. Yes, He lives inside of you, by His Word and His Holy Spirit. That’s why you shall not be afraid and don’t fear evil, because He is always with you.
His words lead you, guide you, and correct you. When you obey His words, you stay on the path of righteousness.
His words empower and comfort you and provide peace in difficult situations and the storms in your life. The words of the Lord ensure, that you stand firm and not be moved, (Read also: ‘A prisoner of circumstances‘).
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies
(Psalm 23:5)
The Lord will not remove your enemies; those who hate and persecute you. Instead, the Lord prepares a table in the presence of your enemies. That means, that in the presence of those, who hate, persecute, and oppress you, the Lord supplies all your needs. Because He is your Provider.
As long as you keep your eyes on the Lord, instead of the circumstances, situation(s), future, people, etc. And as long as you stay loyal to Jesus and stay in Him, He shall be with you and feed you with His words.
He anoints my head with oil; my cup runneth over
He anointed you with oil, which means that He has set you apart from the world for His purpose and has sanctified and justified you in Jesus Christ. Because He has anointed you (He has put you in the position as son of God and a representative of the Kingdom of God), He has given you His Holy Spirit.
You are His son (this applies to both males and females) and are seated in Jesus Christ above all principality, power, might, dominion, etc. He has blessed you in Christ Jesus with every spiritual blessing in high places, by His Spirit, Who lives inside of you (a.o. Ephesians 1:3; 2:6).
That’s why you shall not experience any lack. You are complete and satisfied. Your cup shall not be empty but your cup runs over.
No matter what people say about you or whatever you are going through right now, God’s peace, love, and joy shall be in your heart. No one can take that away from you!
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life
(Psalm 23:6)
When the Lord is your Shepherd, you shall listen to His voice and be led by His voice and His Word. You believe Him and trust Him.
When you listen to His voice and His words abide in you, you shall walk according to His will. If you walk in His will, goodness, and mercy shall follow you all the days of your life.
I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever
You shall stay in His Word and do what He has commanded you to do. By your walk and life, you shall prove, that you are a son of God. If you are His son, then you shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
‘Be the salt of the earth’
