The ‘good shepherd’ provides for the flock

“Psalm 23:1 A psalm of David.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

After recently driving all the way to Alaska and reflecting on current Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson deployments, I was reminded of Psalm 23.

It is still difficult to be suddenly pulled away from friends, family, and other support structures we rely on every day.

We can have an amplified awareness of how far away ‘normal’ life is.

This is especially true when we see the leaves falling and we know the cold and the darkness of winter is just around the bend.

Psalm 23 from the Bible has been an inspirational support for millions around the world facing life’s challenges.

Charles Allen illustrates this with a story from right after World War II. The Allied armies gathered up many homeless who had spent months not knowing if they would have anything to eat the next day.

The children were taken in, gathered into large camps, and were abundantly fed and cared for.

Still, the children were having a hard time sleeping; they still felt nervous and afraid.

Finally, a psychologist came up with an idea. As the children were put to bed, they each received a slice of bread. This was to be held and not eaten until the next day.

It was a tremendous success. The child would sleep in peace with a reminder in their own hands that they would have food the next day.

That assurance gave the children a calm and peaceful rest. God gives his children an even greater assurance.

In this short psalm, God assures his people with the truth that he is our shepherd who will lead his sheep to quiet waters and green pastures.

He will restore us and lead us into righteousness for his own name’s sake.

We may not want to think of ourselves as sheep; they are not very bright and easily get themselves

into trouble.

But even if we walk close to death, we have nothing to fear because he is near us and will protect us. Even when we are surrounded by enemies, God will abundantly provide.

Even when we find ourselves alone in unbearable separation, we are not alone.

There is good news. The psalm ends with “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

The psalm does not begin with a petition asking God for something; rather it is a calm statement of fact - “The Lord is my shepherd.”

Saint Paul said, “My God shall supply all your needs” (Philippians 4:19).

David worded it as “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.”

With that faith, we can work today without worrying about tomorrow.

During these days of distance, we are reminded of our need of a shepherd. You are not alone. God is with you and will provide for you like a good shepherd.