Focus: My Shepherd Cares

Text: Ps.23:2

"He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters."

David acknowledges the Lord as his personal Shepherd. Jehovah is not only the Sovereign, but also the Shepherd of His people, and as His sheep He causes us to lie down in green pastures. He takes the initiative to bring us to the place where we eat our meal and enjoy rest. He takes care of our hunger and thirst. He satisfies our physical, material and emotional needs, and even the longing of our heart.

David mentions the green pastures and still waters. That speaks of oases, verdant places in the desert. The shepherd doesn't mind to let the sheep graze in rough terrains in the morning, but by noon he brings them to the cool and shaded oases for food and rest. O how the sheep are desperately in need of green pastures especially when the heat of the sun is biting hard on them! We read of the Shepherd-Jesus feeding the hungry multitude, "And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the GREEN GRASS" (Mk.6:39). He made the crowd sit in the green grass, and right there He fed them.

My Shepherd makes me lie down in green pastures. He cures me of my restlessness, sleeplessness, and anxiety. He also leads me to the still waters. Still waters refers to quiet or placid waters, not to troubled or turbulent waters. The sheep are afraid of running or moving waters, and so the shepherd arranges for still or pool waters, which the sheep drink without being afraid of drowning or being carried away. 

My Shepherd knows my fears and worries.

The word 'lead' speaks of gentle guidance. He gently guides me to the place where my hunger and thirst are satisfied. The Shepherd takes me in a slow and leisurely pace. He does not force, coerce or drive me fiercely. I lie down in a pleasant place of plenty. Lying down implies that the sheep are done with grazing; they are now resting, well stretched out, and at peace with themselves. By a slow pace they are brought into a place of tranquility, satisfaction and restfulness. Their passions are satisfied. Just imagine God bringing you to the place where you feed on Himself! See yourself grazing on God and drinking Him in! Your soul is satiated in Him. Nothing compares to taking God in. God tastes the sweetest in the believer's mouth. God takes care of his anxiety and perplexity.

An old divine said, "Blessed is the day when Psalm 23 was born." For the individual who has personally encountered and embraced the Shepherd of Psalm 23, he does not only recite it from his memory, but more so from his heart. My Shepherd cares; He cares for me.

by Bishop Moses E. Peter