David highlights the fact in Psalm 23 that the Lord is his shepherd. In our previous discussions, we touched on Psalm 23: 1-4a. We continue with our discussions from verse 4b under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and pray that the Lord may open our understanding to his word in Christ Jesus.
Our shepherd comforts us with his staff
David said in Psalm 23: 4b, your rod and staff — they comfort me. David knew that with the rod of his shepherd, he would be steered away from danger to safety. The rod will also enable the shepherd to ward off his enemies who want to prey on him. The mere knowledge of the shepherd’s rod was enough to exact his proper conduct.
David took comfort in his shepherd’s staff because it represented the office from which he was engaged. Are people truly comforted through us because of Christ Jesus by the care we show? By whose symbol of office do we function? How do we glorify the office of Jesus that we represent? Without God’s authority, our titles are empty.
God confirmed Jesus’ authority in Matthew 17: 5; Mark 9: 7; 12: 27; Luke 9: 35, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased, listen to him! Jesus said in John 10: 2, the one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gate is the way of the cross. Jesus said in John 15:5, for apart from me you can do nothing. Only Christ Jesus can take us through the gate of eternal life in God.
We must be careful about what Paul wrote in Galatians 6: 7, do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow. How do people see the office we represent? Or the symbol of office we proudly carry on our shoulders? We shall be accountable for how we preserve the symbol of God’s office on the Day of Judgment. As God’s children, we must be careful of what we say and do because we mirror God’s house and his kingdom to the world.
Our shepherd sets our table
David said in Psalm 23: 5 you prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies, you anoint my head with oil; my cap overflows. To David, God glorified him before his enemies so he was not afraid. God will glorify us when we open the door to our hearts and let him in. Jesus said in Revelation 3: 30, listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me.
Have we truly allowed Jesus into our hearts? Do we know Jesus as we should? Jesus said in Matthew 17: 17; Mark 9: 19; Luke 9: 41, you faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you and bear with you? Do we have personal relationships with Christ Jesus? God continues to nourish our souls in spite of our rebellion against him. Are we ready to dine with the shepherd, our Lord Jesus?
Our shepherd wants our vows
David said in Psalm 23: 6 surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD my whole life long. David acknowledged God’s faithfulness and steadfastness. In Lamentations 3: 22, the steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
David testified to the Lord’s unfailing goodness, and vowed to be in his presence always. What have we promised to God for his glory? James 4: 17 says anyone, then who knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, commits sin. God wants our vows never to turn our backs on him and the Christ he has appointed to be our Saviour and redeemer and our prince of peace.
Paul made a vow to God when he wrote in Romans 14: 8, if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or we die, we are the Lord’s. The basis of Paul’s statement was stated in Colossians 3: 3, your life is hidden with Christ in God. For us to dwell in the Lord’s house, we must live in God’s righteousness in humility. Are we ready?
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, we pray that you alone will be the shepherd of our souls till eternity. We therefore humbly acknowledge you as our great shepherd for there is no other name given among men in heaven, earth or beneath the earth by which we may be saved and restored in you. Shepherd us with your staff and let your presence be with us as we make our solemn vows before your throne of grace. Let our joy be full in the covering of your blood in your holy name, Amen!!
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