Psalm 23:1 “The LORD is my shepherd”
What a declaration! As I read the opening statement of the Psalm I can sense the assured heart of David. As he peers back in retrospect into the days of his life, he sees himself as a sheep, but not a sheep without a shepherd. He sees the shepherding hand of God all over his life. Can you say with the Psalmist “The LORD is my shepherd”? The statement David makes highlights for us the Character of our shepherd. The “LORD” is our shepherd. The title given here is the proper name title of God, Jehovah. First, the title lets us know that in the character of our shepherd He is a perfect shepherd. By perfect, I mean that He is complete. He is without flaw or any deficiency. He is the self-existing ONE. Our shepherd isn’t needy. He is like a nation that doesn’t need any imports. The one who watches over my life never finds himself at a loss. I may find myself in a situation where I lack the resources to meet the need, but not so with my shepherd. He is perfect in every situation. Second, the title lets us know that in the character of our shepherd he is a powerful shepherd. As Jehovah, He is the creator and sustainer of all things. He has no weakness. I often find myself weak and unable to meet the need of the moment. I get tired. Life wears me down. In my moments of weakness, I can live with the assurance that my shepherd is strong. Finally, the title lets us know that in the character of our shepherd He is a perpetual shepherd. Jehovah is eternal. There never was a time when He was not and there never will be a time when He will not be. He is the great “I Am”. I know, as David knew, that the LORD was with me, the LORD is with me and the LORD will be with me. Dear Christian, we can live in all of our days knowing that the perfect, powerful and perpetual LORD is our shepherd.
Southside Baptist Church 