PSALM 23 MORE THAN A SAVIOR

Written by , Rector of St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, Richmond, Virginia
 
¹ The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
² He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,
³ he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
⁴ 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.
⁵ You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
⁶ Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

The Lord is our all-and-all. As he has given us our life itself, he has and does provide for our life. His sovereign nature means that he knows all things and his revealed faithfulness and love assure us of his goodness toward us. Even though in this life we are faced with danger and see perilous paths before us, we can trust God to lead us through to the place of his choosing that is best for us.

We can all take comfort in times of danger in that God walks with us “through the valley of the shadow of death.” When we are in the midst of the fires of trials our thoughts turn to the fourth “person” the king sees in the furnace with the three young men (Daniel 3:25). It is to our detriment that we do not often think of God being with us every minute of every day like a shepherd with his sheep. When we read this psalm we need to remember the words of Moses: “man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD” (Deuteronomy 8:3b). Instead of looking to God only when we get in a bind, we need to see God as the one who sustains us and guides us every day of our lives.

We must remember that God is both Savior and Lord. Unfortunately we live our lives like the drowning man who calls out for help in his peril. He desires a savior and loves the one who jumps in and pulls him to safety. But once on shore, the man is willing to give thanks, praise and perhaps even a reward to his savior, but he would not be willing to follow and obey him as his lord. “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way” (Isaiah 53:6a,b). We would be wise to seek the “comfort” of God’s “rod” and “staff” in our daily living, so that he might truly lead us.

I confess, Lord, that I desire to be the lord of my own life. I pay far too little attention to you and your word during most days. Except for the moments of fear and anxiety, I am content to have things my own way, and perhaps, at best lift them to you for your blessing. Gently help me to see my need for you every moment of my life and through your Spirit empower me to look to you in all things and under all circumstances. But most of all, keep me thankful for every breath that you give me. Amen.