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TOPIC 7: PSALM 23 - The Lord is my Shepherd
Reflections on Psalm 23 and the pastoral words of Jesus
1. The Lord is my Shepherd

The Good Shepherd will not desert you in mortal danger


PSALM 23:4
And though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

We do not yet live in paradise. Like a flock can be attacked by wild dogs, jackals, hyenas, wolves and lions, so the believer can be attacked by people, spirits, diseases, wars and historical changes and sometimes will be thrown into great distress. Anyone who has ever lived through the horror of war, experienced an earthquake and felt the ground being shaken under his feet, has had to suffer the death of a beloved mother or caring father, or who has been laid on the surgeons table not knowing if he would live to see the next day, will know what it means to personally walk through the valley of the shadow of death.

In danger of death, sheep crowd closely together and move instinctively closer to their shepherds. They become very timid in the event of emergency. It is not surprising then, that in times of crisis dogmatic quarrels and organizational divisions between churches become insignificant and almost disappear, because then the faithful acknowledge each other as believers. They pray together and talk, acknowledge their need of each other and learn to trust each other. Distress teaches us to listen to the shepherd's word! Through his promising words of consolation, the flock will be calmed even if it only hears his call in the night. He keeps His sheep together with His comforting voice and protects them with His word. His presence is their comfort.

Even in times of greatest need, the sheep know: Our shepherd is here. We are not alone. Before danger came each sheep was grazing by itself, scarcely taking notice of the shepherd. It followed him, trotting along with the herd instinctively, and ran after him without much consideration. But in times of need, the sheep are very aware of the presence of the shepherd; his authority is comforting in the eyes of those who follow him.

Faced with such existential experience, the style of David's Psalm changes. He previously sang a song of confession and testimony, full of gratitude for the management and care of the good Shepherd. Now, however, in the face of mortal danger and the horror of ruin, the singer's words take the form of a prayer. From now on he no longer talks about God in the third person, but speaks to Him personally. He stammers out the greatest confession a person can ever say to God:

PSALM 23:4
4 … You are with me! ...

David knew that prayer was not a cry into nothingness. The everlasting God, the Creator of heaven and earth, hears the cry of faith.

A Muslim once said excitedly: How can you say, "God speaks to me, listens to me and answers me? This is arrogance! God is greater! He does not care about the six billion two-legged ants that crawl over and fight each other on the ground. He can listen to whomever he wants, but he is not close to any of you or at your disposal! Who are you and who is Allah?"

David and the believers in the Old and New Testament were wiser. Each of them had the inner certainty that God exists, that He was present, personal and close to them, and that He had not left them. He stayed with them, He came to them.

This realization signifies the forgiveness of sin, so that it can no longer separate the sinner from a Holy God. Rather, the Lord Himself came to the sinner, not as a judge, but as Savior and Shepherd.

Legally understood, this prayer points to God's covenant with believers. The petitioner admits: You, the eternal and holy One, are having mercy on me, guilty and mortal man that I am. You have chosen me by grace, and have bound Yourself to me by a holy and eternal covenant. My infidelity did not stop Your loyalty and Your kindness from overcoming my lack of faith, love and hope.

Blessed is the man who can say to the living God: "Thou art with me!" He has overcome spiritual death and will receive eternal life from God with firm confidence. He has learned to cleanse his heart in the middle of the filth of this world. His conscience is at rest, not because of his own goodness or even any self-righteousness, but because he has had God's own righteousness imparted to him - forever and ever!

Every man experiences fear in certain situations of life - a car crash, serious illness, during times of disasters and famine. Fear is natural and creative. Those who remain fearful, however, will come to lose courage and hope. Whoever allows himself to get worked up into a state of fear, becomes guilty. But seeing the presence of the living God will overcome all fear. Sheep are quick to fear and tend to get needlessly unsettled. The shepherd will call them to flock together. Especially in times of danger, his loyalty and authority is established.

"Thou art with me in the valley of the shadow of death," the prophet confessed. By faith he clung to the good Shepherd and would not let him go. By these words he conquered the heart of the good Shepherd. He acknowledged His presence, grace and forgiveness. He tightened the bond of covenant by his faithful prayer.

This Psalm has become a consolation in time of suffering and provided countless people with strength to cross the threshold of death. No man can say or confess more than this proclamation: "You are the Holy God, you are the Good Shepherd, You Yourself are with me. You will not leave me alone wherever I may be, and whatever be my internal or external distress."

The cry of the heart, "You are with me," is a clarion call of faith that lights up the darkest night like the bright headlight of a car suddenly switched on. It provides comfort that will wake you to the hope of life even amidst the shadow of death. This prayer of promise is a stabilizing anchor for us throughout eternity. Such an experience is available not only for the strong, the healthy, rich and pious, but also particularly for the tired, weak, sick, children and the poor, the despised and rejected. They profess and believe: "You, O God, art our sole consolation and support. In you, God, who art ever near and full of mercy, is life for us, hope, strength and help."

Death itself is shattered by this word. The immortal life of God is shining through the testimony of His eternal promise. Satan flees wherever God is present and judgment ends, when the gracious God elects the poor.

If you reach the gate of death at the end of your life, trembling and fearful in uncertainty: The Psalmist calls out to you: Be strong, do not be afraid! You are not alone; your Lord is with you. He will take you by your right hand and lead you in everlasting ways. And if you're so weak that you cannot walk, he'll take you into His arms to carry you to eternal life in His presence.

Whoever dies with God lives on. Those who die without God will see themselves surrounded by horror, destruction, fear and worry. But whoever knows and confesses that God has forgiven all his sins by grace, will experience the presence of God even in death and in the grave. Here the saying will prove to be true: A good conscience is a soft pillow. Not only in this life, but also in eternity, this word will come true. Devils may come and demons assail us, but God is with us and will strengthen us by His word. We can rely on the promises of His commitment like we would a stable crutch. God's word will prove its power even in death. It will wake us and protect us. His Holy Angel is making room for us. With His rod and staff, He will make our path smooth. Should a bloodthirsty pack of wolves assail us from the right and left, from above and below, and should all hell come over us, we will remain safe, for God is with us. His word takes captive the power of hell and sets us free.

It is significant that the king and prophet uses a term here that extends into the New Covenant. He says that the rod and staff of God is comforting us. Jesus Christ has assured us that the Spirit of God is our Advocate and Comforter. His Spirit comforts us with divine consolation. He is the living God, our light and strength. He is divine nature, proceeding into every believer who turns to Jesus Christ. Every man in whom the Spirit of God settles, will not only receive a lasting consolation in his heart, but will also live forever. Receiving the Spirit of God is breaking through from eternal death to eternal life, from despair to consolation, and from fear to joy. Ask God intentionally for a pure heart and a right spirit, as David called out in repentance (Psalm 51:12): Create in me a clean heart, O God And renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence, And take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.

If you will faithfully pray these words, you'll find that your past, present and future will be cleansed and you will be sanctified in the presence of the living God.

Examine your life if God's Spirit, the Holy Comforter, is dwelling in you. If you're not sure, then call unto God, trusting in His word for mercy. He will give you the grace and certainty of forgiveness of your sins and the consolation of the Spirit. Then you will know for yourself - without any man telling you – that God is with you, and even more, that God is within you - that He is indwelling you and that the word of the Psalmist applies to you: Thou art with me!

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