The Lord is My Shepherd

April 26

 

By James Ryle

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” (Psalms_23:1)

Jesus is Lord and King, Conqueror, Savior, the Mighty God, Prince of Peace, the Christ, Emmanuel, Teacher, Prophet and Master. Of the many titles given to the Lord, Shepherd must undoubtedly be one of His favorite. It links Him in the most personal way to those He loves.

Say it out loud and let the truth settle deep in your heart: “The Lord is my Shepherd.”

Isaiah prophesied, “He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.” (Isaiah_40:11). Peter preached, “For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.” (1Peter_2:25).

David, himself a shepherd, penned the Twenty-third Psalm as a comprehensive tribute to the Lord. He encompasses in this short poem at least fifteen provisions that are made for us when we follow the Lord as our Shepherd.

“The Lord is my Shepherd…

I shall not want for Rest – for He maketh me to lie down in green pastures

I shall not want for Peace – for He leadeth me beside the still waters

I shall not want for Restoration – for He restoreth my soul

I shall not want for Guidance – for He leadeth me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.

I shall not want for Courage – for though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil

I shall not want for Companionship – for Thou art with me

I shall not want for Comfort – for Thy rod and Thy staff comfort me

I shall not want for Sustenance – Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies

I shall not want for Blessing – Thou anointest my head with oil

I shall not want for Fulness – My cup runneth over

I shall not want for Abundant Life – goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life

I shall not want for Eternal Security – I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever

you can see, there is nothing left out. No wonder David said, “I shall not want!” The Lord gives us everything we need when we follow Him as our Shepherd.

“And now may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he who became the great Shepherd of the sheep by an everlasting agreement between God and you, signed with his blood, produce in you through the power of Christ all that is pleasing to him. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Hebrews_13:20-21).