Our Shepherd

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want" (Psalm 23:1, ESV).

David understood what it meant to be a good shepherd. He knew what it was to care for a sheep so that it had no needs. David knew that a sheep had no hope without a shepherd to care for it.

It is hard to know which of his many struggles moved David to write these words, but I think it is safe to say they are born of struggle. Psalm 23:4 speaks of the "valley of the shadow of death." In Psalm 23:5, he acknowledges that his Shepherd had prepared him a table for him in the presence of his enemies.

David must have felt like a sheep--helpless and needy. Pursued and harassed. Yet David was serene. There was a rod and staff that protected him. There was still water from which to drink. His soul was restored as he rested in the green grass of God's goodness.

We have a Shepherd. He is referred to as the Good Shepherd--who laid down his life for his sheep. He is the chief Shepherd and Overseer of our souls. His name is Jesus, and he cares for us.