Welcome to the next part of our series, "The Good Shepherd."

Text: Psalm 23

(A psalm of David.)
The Lord is my shepherd;
    I have all that I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows;
    he leads me beside peaceful streams.
    He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
    bringing honor to his name.
Even when I walk
    through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
    for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
    protect and comfort me.
You prepare a feast for me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
    My cup overflows with blessings.
Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
    all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
    forever.

The LORD is our Shepherd. WE CAN FOLLOW HIM.

Overall Commentary: 🌎

One of the most significant issues we have when reading the Old Testament is ethnocentrism. The definition of ethnocentrism is:

Evaluation of other cultures according to preconceptions originating in the standards and customs of one's own culture.

This series aims to show David's fantastic explanation in this Psalm for the close and authentic relationship God desires to have in our lives. As Theists, we believe that God not only created the Universe but wants to have an active role in our lives. Psalm 23 is a prime example of His involvement.

Because the LORD is our Shepherd, we can live with audacious confidence in God's faithfulness.

What is AUDACIOUS CONFIDENCE in God?

Audacious confidence is the type of trust that does not make sense to anyone who has not experienced the amazing faithfulness of God.

This is helpful because we have all met at least two types of Christians. One type struggles to believe that God can do anything. The other type believes God can do anything, even if they are facing terrible situations. How? It's probably because they have already witnessed God's faithfulness and now realize there is nothing impossible with Him. This verse teaches us three reasons we can have ridiculous confidence in God.

Sheep Need Direction to the "Tablelands."

In the part of the world David lived, there was a phrase for the grassy meadows between the mountains. They were called "Tablelands." There is a debate among scholars as to whether or not David is talking about a shepherd leading his sheep to these places where they could spend their entire summer, if it is a change in the metaphor. I don't see a reason to change the metaphor. This could easily still be talking about God as the Great Shepherd. However, if you do, the same promises persist.

In the world of the sheep, they need a good shepherd to keep them from the lands of the mountains and dark valleys. They need a good shepherd to lead them to the wide open spaces called the Tablelands. However, a lot of planning has to go into this. Shepherds would have to plan and pull poisonous weeds, pour oil into snake holes, and drive away any wolves. Even after doing all that, the shepherd still has to stay vigilant. Being in the wide open spaces would still leave the sheep vulnerable to attack. Therefore, the good shepherd was still on the watch. This speaks highly of how God guides us, plans a way before us, and watches over us continually.

Commentary

Verse 5a. "You prepare a feast (table) before me."

The New Living Translation was feast, but the most literal translation says, "Table." This is where we get the two possible definitions of this passage. David is either transitioning to a different metaphor or talking about a land where the sheep would graze throughout the summer. As stated above, I do not see a reason to change the metaphor. Even if this is the case, the mean stays the same. This part of the passage means the LORD is at work providing for His sheep. He is moving in their lives, guiding them along the way they should go, and supplying all they need along the way.

Verse 5a. "In the presence of my enemies."

Oddly enough, my favorite Christian apologist, CS Lewis, struggled with this passage because he saw this as mean-spirited. In his estimation, it seemed mean-spirited for God to prepare a banquet for one but not for another. However, as stated above, I have no problem seeing this through the eyes of a shepherd and sheep. If so, God provides a place where He will care for us, even though enemies are still around. Poisonous plants, snake holes, and packs of wolves are still prowling around. However, our God is not intimidated by these things. He cares for us and fights for us at the same time.

Bottom Line.

The bottom line is that God is active and moving in our lives more than we realize. As we journey through Psalm 23 together, I hope you see God constantly moving and shaping us in various ways. In this passage we see that God guides and provides throughout the different stages of life. This does mean we do not have difficulties. It means He has already accounted for each difficulty and still leads us to where He has planned for us.

God's Promise:

(2 Peter 1:3) “By his divine power, God has given us EVERYTHING WE NEED for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.”