Many people memorize Psalm 23 during their childhood. This Psalm is used in movies, books, television shows, and funerals. It is intended to bring comfort and peace to those navigating difficult times. It is given as a pat answer to how to deal with grief. But how do I know goodness and love will pursue me?
When I consider all the different ways it is translated, it brings to mind more than just comfort in times of need. It shows me a way of life that energizes my soul and moves me to action.
When I think of God as a shepherd, I stumble because I don’t know that much about being a shepherd. However, I have heard that a shepherd watches over his flock. And God is my shepherd, so he watches out for me in the same way.
What do I know about shepherds?
He ensures I have access to clean water to drink, and I know how to find it. He ensures I have food to eat and that any poisonous bushes or plants are kept out of my way.
He watches over me to make sure I don’t get stuck in a scary place or that I drown in two inches of water. He ensures that my wool coat is clean and well-brushed. He checks me for bugs, parasites, or other things that might get stuck in my wool or on my feet.
He guides my feet so I walk on the right path. He watches me, so what I think I want doesn’t distract me. He keeps me hedged in away from dangerous places.
Jesus is my shepherd
He spends as much time and care on me as any parent would on a very small baby. He hears my cry and rushes to my side to see what is the matter. He never loses his temper because he wants to be there to help me.
He watches over me while I sleep. He provides for my every need. With him, I genuinely do not need anything.
He carries a club to defend against wild animals and a long pole to guide and control me. God defends against dangers, and he guides me along my way.
He protects me in dark times, even when it looks like I could die, even when death surrounds me, he protects me and is with me. He holds my hand.
He keeps me safe so that even my enemies are astounded at his care for me. He lets them know that he is with me and he is on my side. He protects my good name.
Surely, goodness and love will pursue me all the rest of my life
He fills me with joy. He showers me with blessings. He is my God, my Savior, my salvation, my refuge, my hiding place.
Surely, and it is a sure thing that your goodness, your kindness, your beauty, your unfailing love will be with me, will pursue me, will chase me every day of my life. And I am back home and live in the house of the Lord the rest of my life, every day, forever.
