The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want (Psalm 23:1).
Psalm twenty-three is likely the best-known psalm of the bible. In it, we find the Lord leading his children away from agitation to safety and rest. He leads them down a path filled with plush green grass and quiet waters, stilling their hearts and providing for all their needs. The path of his sheep is that of righteousness, leading them to follow his ways of holiness and truth. But of course, sheep can find themselves in extreme danger or stuck in difficult places. His sheep needn’t fear, for their shepherd is with them. His rod and staff protects from any wolf or danger. And even if the sheep should become wounded or aggravated, his oil will sooth and heal them.
What a picture! The shepherd is well suited to provide for his sheep, to protect and preserve them. He even sets up a banquet table in which the sheep can feast and fellowship with him, while their enemies are kept at bay. The shepherd promises goodness and mercy to follow us now, and the promise is that we shall always be with him. Truly we shall not want, for the Lord is our shepherd. Jesus is the Lord. He is our good shepherd (John 10:11).
There is a flip side to this that you may have failed to consider. The shepherd was also a lamb! And as a lamb, Jesus himself needed a shepherd to lead him (John 1:29; 5:30; 6:38). But what kind of Lamb was he? Jesus was a dependent and submissive one, who put his full trust in His heavenly Father. And he was content and satsified to do his will. He walked the path of righteousness, for he was a righteous lamb. He was also the suffering lamb, knowing great travail and sorrow. Jesus was also a fearless lamb, one who never lost faith in His divine shepherd, as He walked through death’s dark valley. He was a sacrificial lamb, for he gave up his life for us.
Due to Jesus’ death and subsequent resurrection, his cup of salvation overflows, pouring out its healing balm to us. Was not a banquet table set before his enemies? Yes, and we were all his enemies (Romans 5:10). But we are all invited to feast on the salvation he wrought for us. Jesus was anointed with the oil of joy (Hebrews 1:9) and this oil he wants to give us. He wants to guide us with his goodness and mercy all the days of our lives. And he will make us to dwell in his Father’s house forever.
Jesus walked our path, for the Lord our shepherd was a lamb. He is the perfect shepherd, one who can sympathise with our weaknesses and earthly plight. Therefore, he is well able to lead us. And if we follow we shall not want. We will be led to a full and abundant life. Do follow him!
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