May 3, 2017

Scripture: Psalm 23

Leading up to Good Shepherd Sunday, how could we not read Psalm 23? “The Lord is my shepherd….” This psalm so beautifully displays God as a shepherd who cares for his people like a shepherd cares for his flock – feeding, protecting, and caring for them, and never leaving them. For us this psalm puts us in mind of how many things God has done to care for us in our lives, and also the life of faith in which he promises us everlasting life in God’s presence.

Teaching

Luther writes of the Twenty-third Psalm saying it, “is a psalm of thanks in which a Christian heart praises and thanks God for teaching him and keeping him on the right way, comforting and protecting him in every danger through His Holy Word. The psalmist compares himself to a sheep that a faithful shepherd leads into fresh grass and cool water.”[1] He also teaches that all of this is done through God’s Word.

While this psalm is often read at funerals or at graveside ceremonies because of its mention of the valley of the shadow of death and its confident assertion of everlasting life it also speaks to our daily lives. Notice the way it speaks of God leading his flock, protecting it, being present with it even in danger, correcting it, blessing it forever. We can draw comfort and peace from it every day.

Life

Life is full of dangers. Some are real, others are only perceived, but this world is often seen as a fear-filled place. Let this psalm speak to those fears you experience and allow God to be your protector and provider.

Similarly, the world if full of spiritual danger. One of the greatest spiritual dangers is that we come to believe that we are alone in this world and that we must find our own way through it. The truth is we have a shepherd – and he is good! Remember that Jesus, himself, walked in this world and even laid down his life. He knows how to lead us through the valley. What is more, he truly provides all that we need to be welcomed to the heavenly banquet so that we need not fear life or death, physical or spiritual danger, or anything else.

Prayer

Use Psalm 23 to guide your prayer today. Pray that the Holy Spirit would help you see how God does all the things mentioned in the psalm in your own life. In fact, you could really use the psalm as your prayer as it is.   



[1] Luther, Martin, Reading the Psalms with Luther, Concordia Publishing House, 2007, p. 59

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