Do you have lack?

Do you lack money, health, courage, self-confidence, assertiveness, strength, faith, time, wisdom, trust in God and so on? David begins the Psalm with the affirmation that the Lord is his Shepherd! Can you say that about yourself as well? HE is not the Shepherd of the whole world. Is HE your Shepherd? David acknowledged this firmly for himself. Sheep are home animals, they need a Shepherd. He was a shepherd himself. In John chapter 10, our Lord introduces Himself as the good Shepherd. We have a wonderful revelation here: If the Lord is your Shepherd, you will lack for nothing. So contrarily: If the Lord is not your Shepherd, you will lack! Certainly not always a visible lack; but how are things with your soul? We can illustrate the “Word of Truth” with lavish pastures, as C.H. Spurgeon did in his awesome book “The Treasury of David”. Also both the activities: gathering and leading was portrayed by C.H. Spurgeon as not only believing, but also doing. Gathering, to recover and to nourish us. Also, we walk through life towards our goal of eternity. Verse three read accurately means: HE brings my soul back to its original state. HE builds it up and HE restores it. By ourselves we do not have the power to do so. Everything is reliant upon HIM. C.H. Spurgeon wrote that we are to be a holy people, who walk upon the narrow path of righteousness through which we honour our great Shepherd! There are paths upon which the good Shepherd wants to walk with us. Are we however sometimes not stubborn sheep who want to follow our own path? From verse 4, David changes from being formal to a more familiar speech pattern. - “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death...”

How often has this Bible text been read at deathbeds and graves! What comfort lie in these words. To proceed evenly from this, without haste or fear, David describes this path upon which we all have to walk at times. Can a shadow harm us? It can't detain us. How reassuring is this picture! Because YOU are with me! We are not alone in death! Is that not a reassuring statement! C.H. Spurgeon wrote that we do not die, we only sleep to awaken in glory. Rods and staffs are weapons to shepherds! Rods and staffs are weapons and aids for the shepherds! Rods: iron clubs to chase away wild animals. Staff: to lead, drive, hold back and count the sheep. A Christians has enemies. But, even when we are threatened, the LORD protects us. The anointing receives the Guest of Honour. What a good Shepherd we have. HE doesn't only give enough! HE gives more than enough! The cup runneth over! When we read the last verse precisely, it says: “goodness and mercy shall follow me”! An awesome promise, which is the will of the GOOD SHEPHERD! Or does my self-will” want something else? Our Lord does not force His love, mercy and goodness upon us! Yet HE wants it for us! Until when? Until we reach the Father's House. The LORD leads me as GOOD SHEPHERD and in the end I will reach the goal of His leadership! Then I will live in His House (John chapter 14) and will never have to wander again. A Psalm of David, no pleading, nor complaining – just GRATITUDE!

Karl-Heinz Bühnemann