"The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want;" Psalm 23:1 A Psalm of David
David calls God his 'Shepherd.' This must be said with such trust and love; after all, David himself was a shepherd. He tended his father's flock from a young age, even going back and forth from playing the harp for King Saul during his periods of insanity to feeding the flock. When King Saul was overcome with a distressing spirit, one of his servants approached him and said, "Look, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlahemite, who is skillful in playing, a mighty man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a handsome person; and the Lord is with him".
David calls God his 'Shepherd.' This must be said with such trust and love; after all, David himself was a shepherd. He tended his father's flock from a young age, even going back and forth from playing the harp for King Saul during his periods of insanity to feeding the flock. When King Saul was overcome with a distressing spirit, one of his servants approached him and said, "Look, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlahemite, who is skillful in playing, a mighty man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a handsome person; and the Lord is with him".
David knew how to be a good shepherd. The youngest of eight brothers, it was his job to do so. Even at a young age he was defending the flock against wild animals and the sheep's wanderings. He killed both lion and bear and rescued his father's sheep. But only with God's help. He may have been wounded while fighting these wild animals, but God had His eye on him and His hand of protection over him.
Knowing very well the dangers and responsibilities of being a shepherd, David refers to God in this first verse of Psalm 23 as his Shepherd. He understands and takes comfort in knowing that there is nothing he should be in want of. His Shepherd knows his needs.
Our Holy Shepherd, Jesus, is that way as well. He was and is our Shepherd and we are His flock. He gladly puts Himself between us and the enemy. He protects us, even though He knew His blood would be shed. He makes sure that our needs are met. He keeps us as a flock together, He guides the one who loses their hope or faith back to the 99 who will walk and gather together with Him. We are fed and watered divinely through Him and His word. We should want for nothing else, what else is there that could possibly compare to eternal love?
David adored God and God said that David was "the apple of My eye." They had an understanding and a deep love for one another. David always came to God first through good and bad times. We should too. From David's mouth and from mine, I humbly declare, "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want."
Have a blessed day, tomorrow we'll look at verse 2.
