The LORD, My Shepherd

A Psalm of David.
23:1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me beside still waters.

3 He restores my soul.He leads me in paths

of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Even 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.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

you anoint my head with oil;my cup overflows.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,

and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Lately, I've been returning to very familiar passages in my private worship time. Rather than just "breezing through" them, the promises and word pictures have struck me in a fresh way. This psalm is probably one of the most familiar. There are so many books written about it: from a "shepherd's perspective" (I always remember fondly the border collie on the cover); when addressing grief or adversity; every 1st grader in AWANA learns it. Please allow me to spend a few posts meditating and musing on this psalm . . .

"The Lord is my shepherd . . ."

Jehovah God, the Self-Existent One, the God who needs nothing, who sustains everything is my Guide, my Protector, my constant companion, my Provider. Mine, personally, singularly, not just in a general or corporate sense; He chose me and chooses continually to be "my"

"I shall not want. . ."

I will not lack for anything that I need. Note: this doesn't promise that I will have everything I think I want all the time. I'm so grateful for some of the things God chose not to give me! Because God is the Ultimate Provider, He also knows perfectly exactly what is best for me. When I stay close to my Shepherd, and trust His provision, I am satisfied. If I'm dis-satisfied, if I feel neglected, is it because I've wandered away from my Shepherd?

"He makes me lie down in green pastures . . ."

Gracie Lynn, my European shorthair tiger tabby cat (yes, true royalty) has been my dear companion for the past 5 years. When she is completely content (meaning, there are no dogs or small children or vacuum cleaners to disturb her repose) she will tuck her front legs underneath her, close her eyes, and truly relax. When she feels really safe, she will stretch out full length (in front of the fireplace is her favorite rainy-day hangout). My Shepherd provides so watchfully, so sufficiently, that I can "lie down" and rest in His care without being "ready to run" at any moment.

My God WILL take care of me! Oh, how I want to stay close to my Shepherd!