The Great Shepherd

Jesus said, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Cheer during tribulation? Overcomer of the world? How do you reconcile this command and declaration from Jesus in your daily life?

Where do you turn when you can’t muster the courage (tharseō, that’s the Greek word translated ‘cheer’ in this passage) to face your trials? When you look at the world and see everything but the victory Jesus claims?

Is the Bible sufficient to meet our every need, physical, spiritual, and emotional?

God Himself confirms it:

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2Tim 3:16-17, emphasis mine)

“His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,” (2 Peter 1:3, emphasis mine)

It is said of the 23rd Psalm that, “It has charmed more griefs to rest than all the philosophy of the world.”

In these six short verses, we see Jesus Christ, our great Shepherd.

“The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.”

The Lord as my Shepherd satisfies all my needs. In turn, I determine not to desire more than what He provides.

“He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.”

Our Shepherd provides for all our physical and material needs. “He makes me.” The implication here is that we don’t always know what we need or what is best for us.

Images of verdant valleys speckled with sheep are calming to us. That’s the picture David is painting here. When we allow Jesus to lead us, we can trust that He will always lead us to green pastures and still waters. Places of comfort, safety, and rest.

We may not always get what we want in this life, but under the care of our great Shepherd, we will always have what we need.

“He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.”

Our Shepherd provides for all our spiritual needs. Here we see a beautiful picture of the Lord restoring us when we fail. King David, the author of this psalm, knew all about personal failure. But he also experienced the truth of 1 John 1:9:

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

David had confidence that God would answer his prayer: “Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation; and uphold me with Thy free spirit.” (Psa 51:12)

When we accept the forgiveness Jesus offers and follow Him in obedience, our paths become straight, and we can walk in righteousness.

“Yea, 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.”

Our Shepherd provides for all our emotional needs. Notice that death is only a shadow, because Jesus took on the reality of death in our place. It is here in the psalm where things become personal for David. The pronouns change from “He” to “You.” David is now addressing the Lord directly, rather than referring to Him in the third person.

Jesus Himself leads us through the valley. The valley is not our final destination. And although the presence of evil exists, we no longer have to be afraid. Jesus promises to never leave us nor forsake us. “So we may boldly say: ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?’” (Heb 13:5-6)

The Lord carries both a rod and a staff. One is used for defense, the other for correction. David knew what it meant to defend the flock from evil.

“And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.” (1 Samuel 17:34-35)

So too, Jesus defends us against our enemy. (1 Peter 5:8; 1 Titus 2:5) Additionally, through the work of the Holy Spirit (John 14:26), Jesus gently corrects and guides us along the darkest places of the valley floor.

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.”

God isn’t waiting until we get to heaven to bless us. Right here in the valley, in the very presence of evil, Jesus provides a table of abundance! There is nothing hurried, rushed, or fearful in this picture. Jesus takes the time to anoint us and fill our cup. Though our enemies may stand at the door, there is peace in the house of the Beloved.

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”

The Shepherd’s provision is eternal.

The Greek word אַךְ ‘ak, translated here ‘surely’, means ‘surely of a surety’ or ‘verily’. In other words, this is an expectation we should have when we follow after Jesus. I love the idea of His angels, Goodness and Mercy, following along behind me as I follow Him.

David had the sweet assurance of dwelling forever in his Father’s house. Jesus gives us the same promise.

“In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:2-3)

Beloved, the Shepherd of this psalm is real. His name is Jesus. And He can provide for you better and more abundantly than anything this world has to offer.

Shalom.

Do you long for that sweet assurance?

AI Disclaimer: No part of this blog was written by bots. Every word, typo, grammatical error, and witticism is lovingly and/or accidentally crafted by my own two (very human) hands.