The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. Psalm 23:1 NIV
Just as a shepherd personally commits to protect, provide for and watch over the sheep so God commits to care for us.
When God is your shepherd you lack nothing. He may not give us everything we think we need, but He always provides all we need to be content and joyful. Most of us spend a lot of wasted time running around trying to obtain this and that in some skewed attempt to bring satisfaction into our lives. But the reality is, God knows exactly what you and I need to be fulfilled.
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. Psalm 23:2-3a NIV
Nobody likes to be told what to do right? Submitting to God’s authority, being obedient and doing things His way, may not sound appealing, and may even be reason why some never choose to make Him their shepherd. But look at what it says here: “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside still waters.” Where else would sheep want to lie down anyway? What better place than where there’s a an abundance of food? And what would be more appealing to a thirsty lamb than a still, easy to drink from, stream?
Sadly, we often reject the still stream and attempt to find what we desire in the raging waters. Then we wonder why we’re drowning! The bottom line is this, God knows what will refresh and satisfy our souls better than we do!
He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:3b-4 NIV
If you bear God’s name, you are His child. As a loving Father, He always chooses for us the road He knows will work out best. The road isn’t always on the mountain top, sometimes it cuts through the dark valley. Wherever it leads, He is always right there, walking beside us, using His rod to defend us and His staff to rescue us when we get into trouble or go astray. That’s the kind of shepherd I want!