THE SHEPHERD – “MY SHEPHERD”
May 20, 2024THE SHEPHERD – “MY PROTECTOR”
May 22, 2024As we continue to explore Psalm 23 and the grand theme of the “Good Shepherd” let us look at the subject, THE SHEPHERD is “MY PROVIDER”
One the recurring themes of the Bible is “God our Provider.” David, who himself was a shepherd, knows the significance of the responsibility, all too well, to provide for the needs of the sheep, under his care. Therefore, David writes, “2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”
The point to note, in these two verses is, the sharp focus on God as our Provider – the pronoun “HE” is used four times in these two small verses. This clearly indicates that it is the LORD who will provided our needs, as our Shepherd. Therefore, THE SHEPHERD – “MY PROVIDER”
When Adam and Eve sinned, the LORD God Almighty provided for them clothing to cover their shame. When Abraham was about to offer Isaac, the LORD provided a ram. Paul, writing to the Church at Philippi says, “19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19
Therefore, David writes…
– HE MAKETH ME TO LIE DOWN IN GREEN PASTURES
– HE LEADETH ME BESIDE THE STILL WATERS
– HE RESTORETH MY SOUL
– HE LEADETH ME IN THE PATHS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS FOR HIS NAME’S SAKE
When we have a God who loves, cares and provides all that we need; why do we need to worry about what we need? Did not the LORD of all creation, love us to the extent of laying down His life for us, and our rescue, even though we were worthless and useless? Paul echoes the same in Romans 8:32 – “32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?”
May we learn to trust God as our Provider, and walk faithfully and obediently in all His ways. Let us not be childish in going to God with a grocery list, but rather, let us learn to have faith in His goodness and grace, towards us, and walk by faith, all our lives.
