Last week I talked about the trilogy of Psalm 22, 23, and 24 and their Messianic (describing the coming Messiah) nature. Another way this trilogy has been described is as a collection of “Shepherding Psalms”. Psalm 22 we entitled the “Suffering of Christ” and we can also title it “The Good Shepherd”. (John 10:11)

The third chapter in the trilogy can be entitled “The Chief Shepherd”. (1 Peter 5:4) Chapter 24 is not included in this Bible study plan so I won’t be talking about this one next week but briefly, it is about the sovereignty of God, the coming of Christ, and for His followers- the expected time of personal encounters with the King of Glory!

If you first accept the “Good Shepherd” as the one who made a relationship possible, you can then trust in the “Great Shepherd” who nurtures and builds you up in your faith, so that one day you can meet the “Chief Shepherd”, who will reward you for your faithfulness as His sheep. This progression through the trilogy gives a much better foundation from which to understand and apply the familiar 6 verses of Chapter 23 which are nestled in the center. Sometimes we miss the significance when the words have become so commonplace.

I would be willing to bet that most everyone we know has heard this Psalm. Probably at a funeral, even one portrayed on the television or big screen. It is actually the first chapter of the Bible that I memorized. I even won a big wooden plaque for my effort all those years ago. And no, I don’t have the plaque anymore, but I can still do a pretty good job of remembering Psalm 23.

Verses 1-3 I think that most of us read it as a comfort chapter. It speaks of Christ as the satisfier, the provider, guide and protector. During my time in Israel I didn’t get as close a look at sheep, as I expected to. However, while I was in the U.K. I did. Field after field after field was surrounded in a stone wall with “gates” or openings where the sheep could be led in and out. The pastures were green. They were full of good nourishment. There was often a stream or a small lake nearby that the sheep could drink from. I had a chance to walk around one such place it was serene. The trees provided shade or shelter if it were raining, the water was quiet and calming. The shepherds there had done a marvelous job of creating a safe and secure place for the sheep. What I observed was a picture of verses 1-3.

Lesson: My shepherd has my best interest in mind.

Verse 4 turns the reader’s attention to other views of the sheep’s life. Now the sheep and shepherd are walking through a valley. Not just any valley, but a valley with shadows, and danger. Thinking about the shadows made me stop and ponder, what is it about the dark that is so scary? You know that feeling when the lights unexpectedly go out and your stomach clenches? Especially when you’re young. I remember that feeling! Even having journeyed a long way from childhood, I still prefer the light. All of the time. In the light I am much less likely to trip over something or to miss a step. This is the kind of scenario that David is describing here. When under the care of the Great Shepherd, things that might normally be scary, (like the dark) are not. The Great Shepherd has tools that He can use to guide me safely around the obstacles that I might stumble over. If needed, He has a big hook to pull me out of the troubled place I’ve wedged myself into.

Lesson: My shepherd has all that I need.

Verse 5 goes on to show that the care of the shepherd is going on as life goes on. What I mean to say is, right there in the fields where all of the predators can see and reach, where the pests and irritants live; that is where He keeps the sheep. Where the goodness is, but that’s also where the enemies are. The shepherd doesn’t remove the enemy, or take the sheep away from the enemy. He cares for the sheep in the presence of those enemies. The sheep build their trust in the shepherd. The shepherd learns more about each sheep as he or she grows. It’s a relationship.

Lesson: I will grow right where my Shepherd keeps me.

In this past Sunday’s message, we were reminded of our 3 enemies. Satan, the world, and our own selves. I see these enemies hiding in the perimeter of the field and the shepherd placing himself in between the two; very much like “Satan” who wants to kill and destroy us and is lying in wait for an opportunity to pounce. I see the little buzzing, flying, and microscopic irritants that are a danger to the sheep as “the world”. The world is always there, nagging, coaxing, inviting, distracting us, but the shepherd protects the sheep by anointing their vulnerable heads with oil just like the Lord is constantly covering us with prayer and the Holy Spirit indwells us to counsel, and guide us. Finally, those “shadows and and dark places” that we can stumble and fall into willingly or unwillingly I see as our own selfishness and stupidity, we are sometimes our own worst enemy. The the shepherd is with us, and we are not navigating through life on our own.

Verse 6 describes the result of trust between the shepherd and the sheep as rest, peace, and connection. It’s belonging. It’s relationship. It’s really what I was looking for when I was a 12 year old having to consider “what about Jesus?”, the Great Shepherd. I had to answer that question, “do I want to live life on my own, or as part of a flock under the care of a shepherd?” I chose wisely. I’m so grateful. I would choose this life over again every day and highly recommend it to everyone else.

Lesson: The reward from my shepherd is great.