“Life is not fair,” some claim. When they try to place the events of life on a balance sheet, the total seems to be much larger on the negative side of the ledger. They prove their point: Life is indeed unfair.

And if we stop reading this psalm at the end of verse four, it seems that the struggles of life end in victory with no celebration. The battle is over and we sit silently in comfort and security - but alone. Not so! Our Shepherd becomes a Host and we are seated at a lavishly set table with an abundance of food.

After a successful battle in the days of David, the victor would be seated in a banquet hall as the ones he defeated stood and watched as he dined before them. They would watch but not enjoy. They were the losers and could not enter into the joy of victory.

So our Lord will one day seat us in the presence of those who would have destroyed us. Not only is there the celebration of a feast that signifies victory, but the honor of being anointed with “oil” - the sign of a true celebration. Then we read that our “cup” will be overflowing - a picture of the goodness and grace of God - that demonstrates Him giving the very best to His child whom He bought at a great price.

In the New Testament, the banquet table is a sign of salvation. We conclude this psalm with a vision of being seated at a banquet with our Savior and Shepherd. A banquet where we will celebrate the joy of our salvation and being with Him forever.

Prayer: We look forward, Lord, to that day when we will rejoice in Your presence forever as our King! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.

Life is unpredictable. Rarely does a day pass without someone or something interrupting our best laid plans. We look forward to days without worry and nights that are peaceful. Then, suddenly and without our permission, we are jolted into the realm of the unknown and the unexpected. We strive to be safe and secure but we have no assurance that tragedy will not strike without warning.

Psalm 23 is no doubt the world’s most loved psalm. The helpless image of sheep who want to stray from the flock and their need for protection by an ever present and always watchful shepherd gives us comfort and calmness. We all need and want that kind of Shepherd. It gives hope and assurance that we will never be left alone during the dark hours of life and that we will never have to face dangerous valleys or dimly lit pathways by ourselves.

In this psalm David presents a picture of God that reveals His love, His loyalty and His presence. As long as we live we can say He is “my” shepherd - not “a” shepherd or “someone else’s shepherd” but “my” very own shepherd who watches over every step we take.

And finally, when we are face to face with the certainty of death after the uncertainties of life, we know that He is - not might be - but actually is with us as we “pass through” the dark valley of death and enter into eternity where we will enjoy His presence forever!

Prayer: We are grateful to You, Lord, for giving us Your peace, presence and protection, today and every day and that You, our Creator, are also our Shepherd. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 23:1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Our Lord has hands that give and a heart that forgives. The closing words of David in Psalm 23 exclaim, “Surely your goodness and unfailing mercy shall pursue me all the days of my life!”

The word goodness in this verse refers to all of the gracious gifts that God will lavishly bestow on those who are His own. It includes kindness, love and loyalty as well the fact that He will meet our every physical need.

Mercy in this verse assures us that the Lord will forgive our sins when we call on Him. It leaves no doubt that our God is the “God of mercy.” He alone is responsible for providing the gift of His salvation to those who call upon Him. And furthermore, it assures us that He will forgive us for those times when we fail Him and sin as we strive to grow into the likeness of His Son and, unfortunately, fail.

This goodness and mercy that David writes about are neither conditional nor temporary. It is with us today and will be with us as long as we live – “all the days of our lives” – that is, until we enter His house and dwell with Him forever more.

How wonderful it is to know that our Lord goes before us and is always along side of us waiting to meet our every need – spiritually, emotionally and physically.

What a wonderful Shepherd is ours!

Prayer: Lord, we rejoice in the greatness of our salvation, knowing that we need fear nothing or no one because You are with us all day, every day! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.

The 23rd Psalm has been called “Everybody’s Psalm” because it describes how God can meet all the needs of every Christian.

Are you looking for direction? The Lord will be your Shepherd providing you direction and safe passage throughout life.

Are you in need? As our Shepherd, He has everything we need.

Are you tired? He will provide the rest you need in meadows that are green and peaceful.

Are you anxious? He will lead you beside peaceful streams.

Are you weak? He will provide all the strength you need from His resources.

Are you having difficulty finding your way through life? He will lead you along right paths.

Are you going through dark valleys? He will walk beside you and protect your every step of life’s journey with His might.

Are you hungry? He will prepare a feast for you even though you are surrounded by your enemies.

Are you weary of life’s journey? He will anoint you with His refreshing, healing oil.

Is your cup empty? He will fill it until it overflows with mercy and goodness and thoughtfulness. And His unfailing love will surround you until you are with Him in His house. Forever.

Prayer: We rejoice in the goodness of Your grace, our Father, knowing that You will always care for Your own. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want (Read more…)

A census worker was asking a mother some routine questions. Eventually came the question, “How many children do you have?”

“Well,” she began, “there’s Mary, Kenneth, Martha and...”

“Never mind the names,” interrupted the worker, “just the number.”

She protested quickly, “They’ve got names, they’re more than just numbers.”

In the time in which Jesus lived, it was common for families to keep their flocks of sheep in a common sheepfold. Each morning the shepherd would call his sheep to “come follow me.” Each shepherd had a peculiar tone, range of notes or sounds that alerted his sheep to follow him. The sheep knew their master’s voice and the master knew which sheep were his. Each flock had a personal relationship with their shepherd and responded to his call. It may have been a call for a feast of good grass and cool water or a time to gather close because of a dangerous situation. He cared so much for them that he would lay down his life to protect them.

No wonder Jesus referred to Himself as the Good Shepherd. Wherever we look we see numbers that represent something. But whenever Jesus looks for us or at us, He knows us by our name and calls us by that name – the name He has written in the Book of Life!

Prayer: Father, it is so comforting to know that no matter how insignificant I may feel, You know who I am, where I am and what I need. May I always be listening for Your voice and respond when You call. Amen.

Scripture: John 10:3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. (NIV)