July 13, 2021 – Reflections on “The Lord is My Shepherd”

     In 2007, I went to church on a Wednesday morning for Bible Study. The librarian of our church library informed me she had just placed more Bibles to be given away to anyone who needed a Bible. I thanked her and wondered what God had planned.

As the sun dropped, I went for a Ladies’ Bible Study. Somehow, our usual spot was taken by another group in an enclosed room, so we went to the foyer. As we were getting settled, I suddenly heard a knock on the front door of the church. I saw a young Chinese girl standing there. I went to the door and opened it…

“Is this a Christian Church?” she asked. I invited her in. We walked all over the church to see many small groups of children, teens, and adults studying the Bible. Then we walked to the library, and there were no chairs, and we sat on the floor. I remembered the librarian’s words and reached for a Bible and handed it to my new friend. She asked what the New and Old Testament would be. We talked about many things that evening.

She spent Thanksgiving Dinner with my husband and me. I set four place settings, and at one, I placed a large picture of Jesus on the chair. The following Sunday she came to the services and afterward asked me a question about the sermon. “Is that for me, too?” This question astounded me.

She joined another class, and one Wednesday evening, someone in her class came to get me, as my new friend wanted to tell me something. I went to their class and my friend announced, “Now you are my sister in Christ!” It was difficult to keep tears of rejoicing from falling. She was baptized the same evening.

After she returned to China, she sent me this framed photo of Psalm 23:4. She sent other workers to me, and now I write weekly emails to my friends.

I learn from her emails of her growth and walk in Christ Jesus, and her faithfulness continues in our Lord and Savior and grows even more strongly.

Indeed, she learned He cares, comforts, protects, and fills us with assurance with life happenings. She has taught me, even as I have taught her. I am grateful for her faith in Christ and her friendship.

         What is a shepherd? I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. John 10:14-15.

Who else but a shepherd knows how to care for someone besides himself? Is this why God sent the angels to announce the birth of The Good Shepherd?

         And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!” Luke 2:8-14.

This Psalm was written by King David, the second King of Israel, a man after God’s own heart. He grew up as a shepherd and understood the analogy of the relationship between a Shepherd and his flock. Losing even one sheep is not condoned among shepherds. “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if He has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until He finds it? And when He has found it, He lays it on His shoulders, rejoicing.” Luke 15:4-5.

Is it any wonder the 23rd Psalm becomes a favorite at the end of life and read when comfort is needed.

        The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. Psalm 23:1. Our Lord provides for us with every need that we may have. Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13:20 – 21.

          He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.

      Psalm 23:2. Green pastures mean plenty and still waters mean life and sustenance.

     I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. Luke 10:9b-10.

          He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Psalm 23:3. No one can restore our souls, except the Lord Jesus. This happens when we choose righteousness and holy living. The precepts of the Lord are right, Rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. Psalm 19:8-9.

          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. Psalm 23:4.

        Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind! Psalm 31:19.

      You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Psalm 23:5. Troubles happen so that we may know the glory of the Lord and wonder of His eternal Grace. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? The Lord is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes. Psalm 118:6-9.

     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 23:6. The forever of God provides mercy and goodness in our hearts, which blesses us beyond measure. One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple. For He will hide me in His shelter in the day of trouble; He will conceal me under the cover of His tent; He will lift me high upon a rock. Psalm 27:4-5.