I sometimes find it a challenge to imagine what a shepherd is like; I mean they are not a group of people who are part of our day to day society anymore and they are not a seemingly significant part of our lives nowadays. Yet in the context of this scripture they were known and although a possibly inferior part of society, a very important one. They cared for, looked after, protected, sheltered, defended, lead, guided and ensured the sheep were in safe pastures where they could freely graze and be sustained. The sheep knew the voice of their shepherd and the shepherd knew each of his sheep.
Verse one of Psalm 23 enlightens us to this reality that The Lord is our shepherd. He is the one who cares for us completely, looks after us, is our protector, is our shelter and safe place, he defends us. He leads and guides and makes the paths ahead of us straight and sure and nudges us to spacious places. He sustains us and is the giver of life. We are his people and he knows us, loves us and supports us. He is our God and we know his voice too.
The second part of this verse says: I shall not want. God is our provider and one of his names is Jehovah Jireh. This means that the Lord will see to it, the Lord will provide. This is all encompassing. He has promised that he will see to it – which to my understanding includes it all. He will take care of it, he will see to it from a to z and will dot every i and cross every t.
If I invite a friend for dinner and mention, ” I’ll see to it” I mean that I will purchase the ingredients, I will cook, I will clean my home, I will set the table, I will have drinks available, I will supply the crockery and cutlery, I will make space for us to enjoy the meal, I will clean up afterwards too. And I believe that God provides for us in the same way – He sees to it all. Jehovah Jireh – The Lord will see to it; the Lord will provide.
What are you facing today? Are you afraid? Are you worried? Are you unsure? I pray that this would encourage you to turn your eyes, your heart and your cries to the Lord – for He is your Shepherd; you shall not want.
hope of heart 