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Writer's pictureChristy Schuette

Advent December 18

December 18

“I am the Good Shepherd. I know My own sheep and they know Me, as the Father knows Me, and I know the Father. I lay down my life for the sheep.” John 10:14-15


“The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23


Following up on our devotion yesterday about the shepherds, today we are going to dig a little more deeply into this idea. This is not exactly a Christmas lesson, but you will have to indulge me. I have always been fascinated by shepherds. I know yesterday we talked about how they did not hold a position of esteem, they were at best lowly and poor, and at worst outcast and despised. But I have always had a reverence and respect for the shepherd. Perhaps it is because David who was considered the man after God’s own heart was a shepherd and perhaps because Jesus refers to Himself as the Good Shepherd.


David was a shepherd, so he was very familiar with the role of a shepherd when he wrote Psalm 23. He was also familiar with the needs of the sheep. Let’s examine this Psalm more closely.


“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Jesus is a good shepherd, and He will provide for every need that we as His sheep ever have. We do not have to worry about food, water, shelter, or protection.


“He makes me lie down in green pastures.” We are often so busy and distracted that we do not take time to rest. Sometimes our good shepherd has to makes us lie down and rest. Sheep are not very smart animals and will continue eating in areas where the ground is bare and rocky. Jesus leads His sheep to green pastures where we have an abundance of everything we need. In His presence we can dine daily on the bread of life.


“He leads me beside still waters.” Sheep are afraid of running water so even though they are dying of thirst, they will not go near a running creek. The good shepherd is able to lead His sheep to still water where we can drink freely from the living water He offers. And when we find ourselves in troubled waters either by our wandering away or being led astray by others, He leads us back to the still waters of His presence.


“He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His names sake.” The last couple of years have been stressful and have left us all weary and burdened and in need of some restoration for our souls. This spiritual refreshing leads us to the path of righteousness to bring glory to Him.


“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.” Sheep are very vulnerable to predators. Like sheep we are vulnerable to the attacks of Satan. Our lives are filled with temptation, trouble and danger. Satan prowls around seeking to devour us. But we do not have to be afraid because our shepherd is with us. Sheep without a shepherd have no protection, but we have a shepherd standing watch over our lives.

“Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” The rod is a long straight stick used to protect the sheep and fight off predators. It is also used to guide the sheep and keep them on the right path. The staff on the other hand has a crook in it. The bend was designed perfectly to hook the sheep around the neck and bring him back into the fold in a gentle, loving, yet firm way. It is comforting to the sheep that the shepherd has weapons at his disposal to take care of him and protect him.


“You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies.” David has been running from his enemies, hiding in the desert, fearful for his life and this is a powerful picture of when Jesus rescues him, sits him down at the table and prepares a feast for him. Justice is finally done. David is vindicated and He is placed in a position of honor while his enemies are watching in shame. This points to the time when justice will be done, and all wrongs will be made right.


“You anoint my head with oil.” Sheep are particularly susceptible to the blowfly. When it attacks the sheep, it lays its eggs in the sheep’s wool and it can quickly become a cause of weakness and even death. A good shepherd has a special oil that he pours on the sheep’s head and gently works through his wool and along his back that gets rid of the eggs and heals the sheep. Jesus provides spiritual and physical healing for us when we are in need.


“My cup overflows.” This is indicative of Eastern hospitality. When a guest was welcome to stay, the host intentionally overflowed his cup to show that he could stay as long as he wanted, and he was welcome to anything the host had. This is symbolic of eternal life in Christ and shows that we will spend all eternity in His presence.


“Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” David was acknowledging that as long as the Lord was his shepherd, he was safe and protected for all of his earthly life and for eternity as well.


This Psalm is a source of great comfort and peace. It gives us a beautiful picture of our loving, gentle, merciful Savior who cares for His own.



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