Sep 28

Written by: Michael A. Milton
9/28/2009 9:26 AM

In the following days, from my own devotions, I shall seek to provide commentary and reflection on this most beautiful and familiar of Psalms, for the direct blessing of the people of God and to draw others, perhaps who are not following the LORD, through the gates and into the secure place of His presence in this Psalm.

1. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.  The LORD is the covenant name of God to His people. How comforting it is, in the midst of troubles in this world, to know the beauty of hearth and home, of the relationships that will never let us go. David encourages himself in the Covenant name of God. And thus this Covenant God reaches across the millennia to seek you as you read this. He is your God of sacred promise; He is your Father. How very much this passage reminds us of the Lord's Prayer.

Perhaps it is for this reason that the Church of Jesus Christ has taught Psalm 23 and the Lord's Prayer to our children, for they both speak of the deepest relationship in this transient life: our relationship with our Father.  This God is the shepherd of David. Much has been written, and rightfully so, about the shepherding work of David and how this Psalm reflects that ignoble profession. Much can be gleaned from these studies (i.e., A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23). But for this meditation, we recall that the pastor needs a pastor, the shepherd needs a shepherd.

David was not the shepherd of a flock of sheep but of a nation of people. He was in need as those in leadership are always in need. What an invitation this is to pastors. For the pastor to say, "The Lord is my pastor" is the beginning of inner healing, of quiet strength, of calm hands that must guide the lambs across dangerous open fields and treacherous narrow cliffs.

What a blessing this is to the pastor of the family, the father, or to a single mother. "The Lord is my shepherd." And the promise here is enough. I shall not want. Jesus Christ is the shepherd. For in His words, "I am the Good Shepherd" we find the fulfillment of this Psalm. He is the covenant God made flesh. He is the One whose presence and power reaches across the millennia to you today to comfort you, quiet you, guide you, and help you. He will never leave you nor let you go.

For every leader, every pastor, every parent, every shepherd, He is the perfect One to guide you in your lonely times of oversight. Rest in Him today, weary saint. Come to Him today, wandering lamb. You will not want for any good thing. He will be your all in all. And this is the testimony not only of this poor, wandering lamb, this lonely pastor in need of wisdom, this leader in need of love, but it is the very Word of God that has come to you this day.

The commentary continues with verse 2 coming soon.

Copyright ©2009 Michael A. Milton

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