The Shepherd
Psalm 23 (NIVUK) —
‘The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. 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. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.’
I recently visited an animal sanctuary with many varieties of sheep. The sheep only seemed fussed by us when the guide pulled out a pack of biscuits and waved them in front of them, causing a stampede to try and get a taste of rich tea. This continued until the shepherd arrived at and entered the paddock. Most of the sheep left the food and headed for the shepherd; they didn’t try and fight to get to the front like the sheep with the food, but calmly followed the shepherd wherever he walked within the field. When the shepherd entered, the atmosphere changed.
We are invited to follow Jesus; there is no competition for the Shepherd's attention but just a willingness to be close to and led by him. The busyness and distraction of the world fall away, we do not have to fear, and we are left with the comfort of the peace that the Shepherd brings, for the shepherd knows us, his sheep, and we know him.
I often find myself reading Psalm 23 when I cannot understand what God is doing, recounting it to myself when I am scared, and rejoicing over it when I feel God close and see his hand on my life. I have found its adaptability to different circumstances reassuring, safe and at times a lifeline. At points it has been my daily prayer. Today I invite you pray Psalm 23 with me, allowing each line to speak into your present circumstances. I pray that you would experience the Good Shepherd close as he walks with you through every moment.
Prayer – Go back to the psalm at the top and make it your own by reading each line slowly, perhaps repeating it before going on to the next. Pause to let the power, the grace, the beauty of God's care to sink deep into your soul.