Praying the PsalmsIhe Atụ

Psalm 23

The 23rd Psalm is the most recognizable of all 150 Psalms. It is most often read during funerals and memorial services, a time when many “walk through the valley of the shadow of death.” The words bring great comfort to those who mourn.

King David paints a beautiful picture of God as a shepherd. If you were to drive along a rural road in Israel today, there is a strong likelihood that you would eventually come across a shepherd. The herd of about 100 sheep or goats clamors around him, kicking up clouds of dust. The escort keeps his eyes on every one. He is there to protect them and to guide them from one grazing field to the next. He carries a tall stick and is swift to gently prod a young lamb who might wander.

Any farmer who has ever had a few sheep will be quick to tell you that these animals are timid, not smart, and they will easily panic or stampede. They need constant attention. If they haven’t been shorn in a while, their excess wool may cause them to flip over on their backs where they struggle to get up by themselves. Flies constantly buzz around and distract them. They need to be led by a calm, caring shepherd.

Don’t we all need a caring shepherd from time to time? We get frazzled by things that are not in our routine. Or we might get overwhelmed by an illness or financial strain. Maybe it’s a challenge just to get out of bed or know how to take the next right step forward. Sometimes we are merely stuck in a rut and need a fresh perspective. We love being led to places of rest by someone who has been there before.

We all need the calm of a shepherd in our life. Someone who will take us to lush pastures in which to rest and lead us to fresh pools from which to drink living water. Someone who will not only feed us but prepare a banquet for us, who will tell us we are special and deeply loved. Someone who will protect us from those who want to knock us on our backs.

That Someone is Jesus. Isaiah prophesies that when the LORD comes in power, He will carry us, his lambs, close to his heart. In John, Jesus says that He is the “Good Shepherd.” What a beautiful picture of One who will lead us, take care of us, comfort us, protect us, feed us. We need a shepherd, don’t we? We need a calm, recognizable voice to tell us “it’s gonna be alright.”

Yet, we all can be like the one who wanders off, thinking we can solve our own problems and clean up the messes of our life. The psalmist suggests otherwise. We have a Shepherd who will chase us down with his love. As a result? We will enjoy an overflow of blessings and we will live with him forever.

Prayer

God. Abba. Father.

Thank you, Lord, for being our shepherd. You guide us along the path of life with love and care. We truly have everything we need. Thank you for giving us places and seasons of rest and quiet when we need it. Help us to make time for rest. Thank you for refreshing our souls when we take time to drink of your living water. Help us make time for your word. Resting in your arms is always revitalizing.

Thank you for giving us your Holy Spirit and leading us to make right choices. Even when our paths take us to dark, desperate, or even lonely places, we need not be afraid for you are with us. We find comfort in you, always. We find safety in you, always. We find security in you, always.

Thank you for setting a banquet of blessings in front of us. Thank you for honoring us as your guests. We don’t deserve any honor in your presence, O Lord. But you have anointed us, you have set us aside as your children and we have blessings and more blessings at your hand.

You are so kind to us. Your love chases us down each day. With outstretched hands, we receive your grace in abundance. And because of the sacrifice of Jesus, we are confident of this: we will live forever with you! We can’t imagine the beauty of your throne, but we know we get to be there for all eternity. And we are thankful, so very thankful!

Because of Jesus, in whose name we pray.

Amen.