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Ring of Truth provides 366 daily ‘proofs’ that the Bible is consistent throughout from Genesis to Revelation, and relevant for our lives today!
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Psalm 23:1
The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not be in want.
If this is not the best known verse in the Bible, this would have to be the best loved Psalm.
It’s even the choice of unchurched people for weddings and funerals. Sadly, however, so few of those who recognise the Psalm recognise the Shepherd of whom it so eloquently and lovingly speaks. It is a paradox that so many people who say, “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want” not only do not know Him but visualise Him as a religious Father Christmas or an unapproachable, stern and judgmental schoolmaster.
Neither of those views can be found in Psalm 23, nor any other part of Scripture for that matter. That is why ignorance can be such a bad opinion base. The enemy does all he can to confuse, misrepresent and play on that ignorance so that the truth is feared instead of sought.
David portrays God here as both good and intimate; a friend. In verses 1-3, he appears to be talking to us. Telling us about his Shepherd – boasting about Him, in fact. Challenging us that each one of us has a shepherd … but his is the best, because He is the Lord. He is Provider, Guide, and Comforter – the One who causes him to relax and rest in peace – and Restorer/Healer.
In verses 4 and 5, David turns to talk directly to God and to thank Him and say how and why he appreciates Him so much. In verse 6, he returns to talking to us and says that all his life he has been cared for and blessed by God and even after he dies, the best is yet to come.
This Psalm is so popular because it comes from an honest heart. Not from a theologian; not from some ‘mind and self-improvement’ expert or motivational guru, but from a ‘down to earth’ shepherd who recognises that all that is good comes from the Creator God, who delights in having an intimate relationship with each one of us.
David had learnt from experience that no matter what circumstances he had to face – God was there beside him. As long as he, like a sheep, kept his eyes focused upon his Shepherd, he was never forsaken or left alone. On the contrary, just as a good human shepherd goes out of his way to provide for, care for and love his sheep, so does the Heavenly Shepherd, and to a far greater degree, for all those who are His.
Who is your shepherd? Is he worth boasting about?
If the Lord is your Shepherd, He certainly is.
So why not boast about Him to someone today?
They might even want to change over to yours.
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