THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD

A devotional Bible study based upon Psalm 23
The Psalm for Good Shepherd Sunday, April 26

What do you think David had in mind when he wrote the Twenty-Third Psalm? Can you even imagine having such a gift with language and such a close relationship with God so that you could write something like that? Later in life, when David was reflecting back on what he had written, what kinds of thoughts and feelings do you think might and must have been going through his mind? Maybe something like this –

“The Lord is my shepherd”

In David’s day, as well as at the time of the birth of Jesus, being a shepherd was an occupation that was looked down on. When Samuel came to Bethlehem to anoint one of the sons of Jesse to be king, he asked whether all the sons were present. Jesse replied, “There remains yet the youngest, but he is keeping the sheep.” (1 Samuel 16: 11) Later, when David went to visit his older brothers who were in the army, his oldest brother Eliab asked him, “Why have you come here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness?” (1 Samuel 17: 28)

David took an occupation that was looked down on and gave it dignity and value by using that image to describe his relationship with God. Reminds me of when the apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “So whatever you do, do everything to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10: 31)

“He restores my soul”

There were many reasons why David’s soul needed to be restored. After his sin with Bathsheba the prophet Nathan told him, “The sword shall never depart from your house” (2 Samuel 12: 10), which turned out to be painfully true. Son Amnon raped daughter Tamar, whereupon son Absalom murdered Amnon. After stealing the hearts of the people, Absalom stole the kingdom from his father, whom he publicly humiliated, and then eventually met his death after his short-lived rebellion.

David experienced unimaginable sorrow, as the prophet Nathan told him he would. But still God called him a man after God’s own heart. (1 Samuel 13: 14) His soul was also restored in the birth by Bathsheba of Solomon, who would build the Temple that David had wanted to build and would be the ancestor of Joseph, the legal father of Jesus.

“Your rod and your staff – they comfort me”

David was confronted by a wise woman from Tekoa for refusing to reconcile with his son Absalom. He was also confronted by the prophet Nathan regarding his sin with Bathsheba. “You are the man!” Nathan had said. (2 Samuel 12: 7) Realizing the greatness of his sin, David experienced the greatness of God’s mercy and wrote a most powerful psalm of repentance. “Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your steadfast love; according to Your abundant mercy, blot out my transgressions.” (Psalm 51: 1)

“You spread a table before me in the presence of my enemies”

David spent many of his younger years fleeing from Saul, who saw David as a threat to the throne and therefore wanted to kill him. Three Psalms are identified as written by David while he was fleeing from Saul and living in a cave – Psalm 142, Psalm 57, and Psalm 34. These Psalms show a progression in his trust in God. Whatever was happening in David’s life when he wrote Psalm 22 also shows how many enemies he had. This is a psalm that Jesus prayed from the cross, beginning with the lament, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

“My cup overflows”

David had wanted to buy from Araunah the Jebusite a threshing floor where he would build an altar to the Lord, but Araunah wanted to give it to him at no cost. David replied, “I will not offer to the Lord my God sacrifices that cost me nothing.” (2 Samuel 24: 24) First Chronicles 29 records the enormity of David’s gift towards the project of building the Temple. How much David must have rejoiced over the resources God had given him so that he would be able to make such a large contribution and in doing so inspire other leaders of Israel to give significantly. The Bible tells us that the people rejoiced over the generosity of the king.

“Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life”

The prophet Nathan, who later would confront David over his great sin, earlier in David’s life comforted David with the promise that after his death, his son would build the Temple that David had wanted to build, and his house, kingdom, and throne would be established forever. (2 Samuel 7: 16) It would not all end with David.

“And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever”

For days David had prayed that God would spare the life of the child that was born out of his adulterous relationship with Bathsheba, but on the seventh day the child died. At that point David rose from the ground, washed himself, changed his clothes, went into the house of the Lord and worshipped, and then went home and went on with his life. When asked why he had responded in that way David replied, “Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.” (2 Samuel 12: 23) People go through death only in one direction. David was saying, “Someday I too will die and will go to where my son is. But he will never return to where I am.”

The Twenty-Third Psalm has given comfort, strength, encouragement, and hope to millions of people for three thousand years. I believe it did the same for the one who wrote it – the shepherd who became king. Could he have written a psalm of such depth, insight, and beauty if it did not also speak powerfully to his own life?

How does the Twenty-Third Psalm speak to your life? Where and how especially does it give you comfort, strength, encouragement, and hope?

Sharing with you in following and in being cared for by the Good Shepherd,

Dennis D. Nelson
Executive Director of Lutheran CORE

“They came again to Jerusalem. And as He was walking in the temple, the chief priests and the scribes and the elders came to Him, and began saying to Him, “By what authority are You doing these things, or who gave You this authority to do these things?” (Mark 11:27-28)

All authority comes from God.  We get caught up in territories, thinking that we understand positions of authority, but our Lord can do as He chooses.  If you have authority, exercise it knowing that it is the Lord whom you serve.  Do not lord it over others as many do in this world. Respect those in authority.  Jesus has told us that all authority and power belong to Him.

Lord, You grant authority to whom You grant it.  You have told us that we will know others by their fruit.  Help me to respect the appointments You make.  Guide me to be humble with the authority You grant me.  Guide me to live knowing that You have placed me where I am.  Through all that I do, guide me to learn how to be faithful with those things You give me to do.

Lord Jesus, You were constantly confronted by those who questioned Your authority.  So also, I am daily questioned by those who ask what or why I am doing what I do. Teach me to live according to Your word of promise, respecting others, even when I have questions.  Guide me to be faithful, trusting that You will show me what needs to be done.  Be the One who leads my actions, Lord.  Amen.

“Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions.  But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions” (Mark 11:25-26).

The principle here, in part, is to get out of yourself and the issues you have.  If there is hurt, resentment, or animosity, these things can and do get in the way.  Come out of yourself and realize that all things are known by our Heavenly Father and that He will lead you through all past and present events to trust that He is working in you that which is well pleasing in His sight.  We are forgiven and He does not hold anything against those who trust in Jesus.  Learn to forgive others in the same way.

Lord, teach me how to forgive.  I think I have forgiven and then something gets in the way.  I remember and I am off and running with my thoughts.  Help me learn how to let the things I need to let go, be gone, not forgetting, but forgiving.  Help me to understand what You are doing in my life so that I become one who forgives as freely as I receive the forgiveness that You give me.

Lord Jesus, You died to free me from the recompense of sin.  Sin holds on and destroys.  Help me to learn from Your example to let things go according to the Father’s will.  Lead me to look forward to what You are doing and not dwell on the past which has already happened.  Take from me the besetting desire for vengeance so that I willingly seek the Father’s will at all times and in all places, for vengeance is Mine, says the LORD.  Amen.

“Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted him.  Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you” (Mark 11:23-24).

Live by faith and trust the Lord above all things.  If the Lord tells you to say to a mountain to be moved, it will be moved.  With the Lord all things are possible.  We are called to be a people of prayer who are continuously in communion with the Lord, listening to the Holy Spirit, and being guided to live into the image of Christ.  Learn how to believe in all that Jesus says as your faith deepens.

Lord, You have given me the gift of faith, but sometimes it is not very deep.  I am conflicted by this world and do not fully believe.  Help my unbelief so that I come the place where I live knowing that all things are possible with You.  Guide me deeper into prayer, communing with You and knowing that only in and through You is there life, peace, and true liberty.  Let Your will become the will I live.

Holy Spirit, I need all the help You will give me in this journey of faith.  Help me now and always to constantly be in prayer.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to see more clearly Your will for me this day and then to act upon the faith You have given me.  Show me the things that the Father would have me do and then help me to do them.  May I learn faithfulness under Your guidance and direction today.  Amen.

“When evening came, they would go out of the city.   As they were passing by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots up.  Being reminded, Peter said to Him, “Rabbi, look, the fig tree which You cursed has withered.”  And Jesus answered saying to them, “Have faith in God” (Mark 11:19-22).

All things are in Your hands, Lord.  What You curse is cursed and what You bless is blessed.  Guide me to understand that in You there is hope.  You have called for us to bear good fruit.  You will dry up that which does not produce good fruit.  Lead us so that we bear fruit befitting Your kingdom.  Be the One who guides us into all goodness.  You have called for us to have faith in You.

All things are in the Lord’s hands.  All things are possible with God.  What He blesses will be blessed and what He curses will be cursed.  We did not invent God.  He created us.  The order of things is as He has established them to be.  We live not by our own reasoning, but by His word of truth.  Live then trusting in the One who created You, knowing that all things have always been in His hands.

Lord, help me to live the life You have given me to live.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to be gracious with others as You have been gracious to me.  Teach me what it means to hold fast to the faith You have given me.  Guide me to always look to You, the author and finisher of my faith, knowing that You alone bless and curse and that it will be according to the Father’s will.  Help me to live by faith.  Amen.

“And He began to teach and say to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a robbers’ den.”  The chief priests and the scribes heard this, and began seeking how to destroy Him; for they were afraid of Him, for the whole crowd was astonished at His teaching” (Mark 11:17-18).

Our faith is not something that one has to climb great heights to become like Christ.  So many place obstacles in front of others.  We are to live in harmony with one another, providing as each has need, doing our part.  Over and over again sinful humanity creates obstacles.  We are saved by faith apart from works, and we are not to place obstacles in front of others or ourselves.

Lord, You have created all things, and You have freely given them to us for our use.  We tend to accumulate, take, and seek for ourselves rather than humbly live lives as You appoint them to be lived.  Guide me in the way which is equitable, free, and holy.  Help me to offer to others what You have offered to me.  Guide me in Your goodness to understand that in You alone do I have hope and an eternal future.

Lord Jesus, as You cleaned out the temple, so also clean up my life.  Guide me away from the insanity of this world, which creates difficulties, in order that I may come to the place where I see things more clearly and love You and my neighbor as You love us.  Get rid of the clutter in my life and help me to live according to Your never-changing word of truth.  Amen.

“Then they came to Jerusalem. And He entered the temple and began to drive out those who were buying and selling in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves; and He would not permit anyone to carry merchandise through the temple” (Mark 11:15-16).

Sinfulness tends to take a good thing to an extreme.  There needs to be supply to meet demand.  Each has a job to do.  Then greed enters in and those who have the supply take advantage and the ones who have need pay more.  Next comes exclusivity, where only certain sellers can be bought from and the price goes higher.  Not only in commerce, but with our religion, this happens.

Lord, I know we all have a religion which shapes our way of doing things.  Sin has a way of making our religion more important than the reason for what we are doing.  You are God and we are to worship You alone.  Help me to comprehend the line between what is good and the next step which takes over where the created one becomes more important than You, the Creator.  All things were created by You and You alone are to be worshiped.

Lord Jesus, You have come to clean my house.  There are many places where I have been bartering with You, seeking what I want rather than what is right.  Create in me clean living where I do what is right without worrying about what I will gain or what it will cost me.  Help to not try to buy and sell what You give freely.  Help me to practice a religion that points me to You and right living, sharing with my neighbor as You have shared with me.  Amen.

“On the next day, when they had left Bethany, He became hungry.  Seeing at a distance a fig tree in leaf, He went to see if perhaps He would find anything on it; and when He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs.  He said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again!” And His disciples were listening” (Mark 11:12-14).

There are lessons that are subtle and cause us to go into meditation.  Why would Jesus curse a fig tree when it did not have fruit?  Yet is this not the One who knows all things?  He spoke to His disciples with His actions as well as His words.  He does the same for us.  Will we trust circumstances or the One who is over all circumstances?  Keep in mind the parables that teach us to bear fruit.

Lord, I do not always understand all that You say and do.  Will I stop believing or trusting?  Does this mean that I am depending upon myself for my faith?  Help me to understand that the beginning of wisdom starts with trusting You above all things.  You speak forth all that exists, and You can remove so that something no longer exists.  Guide me to live by faith, trusting in You above all things.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for all that You have done, are doing, and will do.  Guide me to see that all things are under Your authority.  You have come to lead the way, following the Father’s will, to bring an end to sin, death, and destruction.  Guide me in the way of everlasting life and help me to do those things which You give me to do in the time You desire for them to be done.  Amen.

“Jesus entered Jerusalem and came into the temple; and after looking around at everything, He left for Bethany with the twelve, since it was already late” (Mark 11:11).

Jesus made His entry into Jerusalem and then went back.  Scripture has been fulfilled in the expectation of the crowd.  The rest of prophecy, which was not remembered, awaited fulfilling during the remainder of the week.  See how intentional our Lord is, and the wishful thinking that is a part of the sinful human condition.  We want the good, but do not want the bad.  Our Lord will lead us through all things.

Lord, help me to receive the whole of all that You give.  You will not stop until I am conformed to the image of Christ.  Help me to receive what You give and walk humbly in this life which You have set before me.  Guide me out of myself to live life as it is meant to be lived.  Your timing is always perfect.  Guide me to accept and willingly live in Your perfect timing of all things.

Lord Jesus, by Your example, help me to constantly be in prayer knowing that the Father’s will shall be done.  You have called for me to follow You in and through all things.  Help me to understand that there are times to stay and times to go.  Guide me so that I hear and heed Your instruction.  Teach me and help me to learn the lessons You teach.  Through all things and in all circumstances, assist me to be faithful.  Amen.

“Those who went in front and those who followed were shouting: “Hosanna!  Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord; Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David; Hosanna in the highest!” (Mark 11:9-10)

The Holy Spirit stirs people of faith and even if they do not know it at the time, the shouts come out.  The crowds did not know what Jesus was going to do, but they welcomed the Lord.  Sometimes we too will praise the Lord, not knowing what He will do.  Therefore, even when things happen – and what is worse than crucifixion? – give the Lord praise, for all things are in His hands and He will work all things together for good.

Lord, in life where mysteries abound, You lead forward through all things.  Help me to be willing to offer praise no matter my circumstances; for You are worthy of all praise and honor.  Often, I see people who praise You when things are good, but grumble and complain when they are not.  Help me to praise You always, knowing that all things are in Your hands.  Help me to follow You no matter what.

Lord Jesus, You humbly came to Jerusalem knowing that You would end up on the cross.  You did fulfil prophecy, and completed what needed to be done for our salvation.  Guide me in the way of everlasting life with willing praise each step of the way.  Help me to understand that in You alone do I have hope and salvation.  Guide me to live the new life You have given me with praise upon my lips.  Amen.