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My Shepherd. His Sheep.
“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
Psalm 23.1
Without a doubt, Psalm 23 is one of the most beloved of all the psalms. And it is very likely the most well-known. Rarely is a funeral held that these words of David are not read or written on the memorial literature, perhaps because of its reference to walking through the shadow of death. The words are beautiful; the thoughts picturesque; the sentiment reassuring. And rightfully so, as they express the care and oversight of God Almighty as He guides us through life.
Almost every activity in this psalm is attributed to God.
He leads.
He makes.
He restores.
He prepares.
He anoints.
As the Shepherd, He is attending to the needs of His people. And we take great comfort in such - thus the popularity of the psalm. But the thoughts also assume one very significant detail - that I am actually following the Shepherd.
Discipleship is first and foremost an individual enterprise. I decide whether or not I believe on Jesus. I decide whether or not I will take Him as my Lord and Savior. I decide whether or not I will give myself to His will, obey His word, reside in His mercy. He may lead me to green pastures and still waters and paths of righteousness and safe passage through the valley of death and a table in the presence of my enemies. But I must follow Him to and through such places.
It is a beloved psalm. It is a glorious sentiment. But He is only my Shepherd if I am His sheep.
