Let Him Lead

Recently, I completed a study on the passage of scripture in Psalm 23. Like many of you, I have read these verses many times. However, reading them this time, through the lens of the study, I found it so more real than ever before. I hope to share some of my own thoughts about Psalm 23.

First of all, this Psalm is one of the most famous of all Psalms. I believe as Christians, it’s easy to bypass the familiar verses and not apply them effectively. Even though we’ve read it a million times and memorized it about a dozen times doesn’t mean there isn’t something new to learn about it. David wrote this verse from a shepherd’s perspective. David identifies as one of the sheep of the Good Shepherd. We can identify with this psalm, simply since we are followers of Jesus.

Psalm 23:1 says, “The Lord is my shepherd: I shall not want.” The Lord can be our shepherd, if we allow him to be. More importantly, he has already chosen to be our shepherd. The great “I am” reaches down and picks up his beloved sheep. He has already paid the price for our souls on the rugged cross of Calvary. He is the great shepherd, and lays his life down for his sheep! The Good Shepherd redeemed us, he has already bought us back.

“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6) We can become his own. Christ is not just a shepherd, he is our shepherd.  Since the Good Shepherd is so good to us, we shall not want. In Christ, we are content. He is our Jehovah-Jireh, the one who provides our every need. Jesus is truly everything that we need. When you have all you need, what more could you want?

Psalm 23: 2 says “He lets me lie down in green pastures: he leads me beside quiet waters.” When this world moves in chaos, Jesus gently helps us to calm down. Or as this verse says, “lie down.” He wants us to find rest in him, and in him alone. Our Shepherd knows exactly what is best for us, including when we need a break from the busyness of life. He is working everything for our good, even when it doesn’t seem like it. Aside from Christ, we cannot have true peace and security. Our hearts and lives can rest assured in Him.

Not only does he know when we need a break, he knows where to take us. God will place us where he wants us, in his time!  He will tenderly make us lie down in green pastures, and He will lead us by the still waters. Isn’t this so much like our Good Shepherd? He wants to bring a place of restoration. The Good Shepherd wants our souls  to be rejuvenated.  Remember, God also goes with us. He goes before us, preparing the way! Our hearts are entirely restless until it finds rest in Christ. 

Psalm 23:3 says, “He renews my life: he leads me along the right paths for his name’s sake.” God wants to renew our spirits. Someone once said, “When the soul grows sorrowful he revives it. When it is sinful, he sanctifies it. When it is weak, he strengthens it.”  After resting in Christ, he has restored us. A synonym for renew is “refresh.” The Lord refreshes us in only the way that He can. Reading His word and seeking the living water restores us emotionally and spiritually. God uses His Word to revive, refresh, and renew our souls, even when they are weary.

When David wrote this psalm, he was facing many difficult circumstances. Note that God does not have to change our circumstances in order for us to be restored. We often think that God only brings us restoration during a mountain-top experience. However, remember that Abraham was refreshed when he put Isaac on the altar. This was one of the hardest things that Abraham ever had to do, but his obedience only brought him peace through Christ. Our God works in the good and bad times. No matter what, he will be faithful to guide us. 

Let me just end with this verse -

“Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness.” - Isaiah 43:19 - 

My next post will be on the following three verses of Psalm 23. 

I hope you resolve to let the Good Shepherd lead, guide, and refresh you this week!