Psalm 23:1 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not lack.

Psalm 23 (full chapter- click here) 

As I sit and listen to a minister speak of hard times in his life as tears well up in his eyes and he talks about how this chapter, primarily the 1st sentence has impacted his life, I wondered, do I believe those things for myself?  I want to, I think I do and I pray that I show that in my daily walk.  But do I?

I have seen some very hard times.  Some I wan’t even sure I would make it through but one day, it hit me.  The Lord is “my” Shepherd.  My shepherd is really for me!  Do we know what a shepherd’s duties are in the animal world?

A shepherd’s primary responsibility is the safety and welfare of the flock, according to the Mountain Plans Agricultural Service. Some flocks may include as many as 1,000 sheep. The shepherd will graze the animals, herding them to areas of good forage, and keeping a watchful eye out for poisonous plants.

Shepherd, a word naturally of frequent occurence in Scripture. Sometimes the word “pastor” is used instead ( Jeremiah 2:8 ; 3:15 ; 10:21 ; 12:10 ; 17:16 ). This word is used figuratively to represent the relation of rulers to their subjects and of God to his people ( Psalms 23:1 ; 80:1 ; Isaiah 40:11 ; 44:28 ; Jeremiah 25:34 Jeremiah 25:35 ;Nahum 3:18 ; John 10:11 John 10:14 ; Hebrews 13:20 ; 1 Peter 2:25 ; 5:4 ).

The duties of a shepherd in an unenclosed country like Palestine were very onerous. “In early morning he led forth the flock from the fold, marching at its head to the spot where they were to be pastured. Here he watched them all day, taking care that none of the sheep strayed, and if any for a time eluded his watch and wandered away from the rest, seeking diligently till he found and brought it back. In those lands sheep require to be supplied regularly with water, and the shepherd for this purpose has to guide them either to some running stream or to wells dug in the wilderness and furnished with troughs. At night he brought the flock home to the fold, counting them as they passed under the rod at the door to assure himself that none were missing. Nor did his labours always end with sunset. Often he had to guard the fold through the dark hours from the attack of wild beasts, or the wily attempts of the prowling thief (see 1 Samuel 17:34 ).”, Deane’s David.

So if the Lord is my shepherd then He is watching over me, protecting me, caring for my every need and will watch out ahead of me so he can guide me away from harm.  All I have to do is have faith in that.   And man can I tell you that I have seen His work in my life.

So I say to you………… The Lord is “your” Shepherd too.  Let Him protect, provide, care for and guide you in your day.

I am attaching the sermon that I referenced above.  I know that you will have tears streaming down as well.

Psalm 23 – The Lord is My Shepherd (click here)

Grateful is all I can say.  Amen!