They Comfort Me

Psalm 23 is a well-known and much beloved portion of Scripture.  Many who may not even know the Lord can probably repeat the verses, having heard them so often.

A friend recently gave me a heart-warming painting of Jesus walking along and a small sheep looking up and following Him.  You may have read the passage, “We all like sheep have gone astray.”  (Isaiah 53:6).  According to the Bible, Jesus is our “Good Shepherd” (John 10:14) and He uses a rod and a staff – as any shepherd would, for the good of the sheep.

In leading me (another of His less than brilliant sheep), He uses His rod to poke me in the right direction.  Otherwise, I would naturally head in the way that looks best to me, the way He knows to be wrong.  He uses His staff with the hook on top, to pull me back when I wander off, attracted by what looks good, but isn’t as it appears.

Thy rod and Thy staff do what else?  “They comfort me” (verse 4).  Why?  Because He watches over me and I am safe.

Psalm 23.  Is it just for the dead at funerals?  No, it’s for the living!  He’s my Shepherd.  He provides for me (“I shall not want”);  He offers me sustenance and rest (“green pastures, quiet waters”).  He shows me the right way (“righteousness”).  When times get tough, I don’t have to be afraid (“Thou art with me”).  He prods me along or pulls me back (“rod/staff”).  Gives me peace even in the presence of enemies (“prepares a table”).  He blesses me with His Spirit (“anoints/ overflows”).  His goodness and mercy are always with me, following me and pursuing me and my dwelling is in His house as His child (“dwell forever”).

Such promise!  A truth for our journey.  These words…they comfort me.

“My sheep hear My voice and I know them and they follow Me…”  (John 10:27)