Christ, Our Shepherd

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.”- Psalm 23:1 ^NIV

            Psalm 23 is a Psalm of trust. “This beautiful metaphor of a divine Shepherd who cares for his people, individually and corporately, occurs numerous places in the OT. The NT also portrays Jesus as our great and good shepherd.” ^[1] David grew up caring for sheep, therefore, he spoke out of personal experience. If Jesus is the Good Shepherd, then we are the sheep, not frightened, passive animals, but ones that are obedient followers. A true, dedicated believer will have a deep abiding desire to listen to and obey the Good Shepherd, because he knows what is best for all of us. It’s a matter of trust.

            Just as the shepherd cares for every aspect of a sheep’s life, so Christ does the same for us. Therefore, we will lack nothing in this life and the life to come. This Psalm doesn’t focus on the animal-like qualities of sheep, but rather the discipleship qualities of those who follow him. 

            The statement, “I lack nothing”, is not saying that anything we desire shall be ours, but rather, whatever we are in “need” of we shall have. God provides for our needs. He doesn’t give us anything we desire. He is NOT a genie in a bottle. Not at all. This is why we ought to pray for the will of God to come to fruition in our lives. God knows everything that can be known and so he knows all that we desire, however, what good would it do us if we received everything we could ever want without any discriminatory cautious taken. That isn’t living by faith and certainly will teach us nothing of eternal value. God knows this so he administers only our needs so as to keep us from becoming spoiled and greedy. You can count on the fact that whatever you are legitimately in need us you will receive when God knows you must need it. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

^[1] NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible. OT scriptural references to God as the divine Shepherd: Psalm 80:1; 95:7, 100:3; Genesis 48:15; 49:24.

NOTE: In the New Testament, Jesus is revealed as the shepherd of His people (John 10:11, 14), fulfilling the prophecy that God will come to shepherd His people (Ezek. 34:7–16, 23). - THE REFORMATION STUDY BIBLE.