*The Psalms are beautiful. They are the balm of the soul, songs for the night, and words for every season of life.
Psalm 23 has always been wonderful to me. But when we look at Psalms 22, 23, and 24 together, we see something even more beautiful—the Shepherd in three dimensions.
Psalm 22 — The Good Shepherd who gives His life.
David cries, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Psalm 22 points us to the suffering and sacrifice of Christ. Jesus Himself is the fulfillment of this Psalm.
That is why Jesus said in John 10:11, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
The Good Shepherd doesn't merely love the sheep. He gives His life for the sheep.
Psalm 23 — The Great Shepherd who leads His sheep.
Now the Shepherd who died for us is the Shepherd who walks with us.
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
He leads us beside still waters. He restores our soul. He guides us in paths of righteousness. Even when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, He is with us.
Hebrews 13:20 calls Him “that Great Shepherd of the sheep” who was raised from the dead.
The Good Shepherd gave His life for us.
The Great Shepherd now leads us through life.
Psalm 24 — The Chief Shepherd who is coming again.
The Psalm begins, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” And then comes the glorious cry:
“Lift up your heads, you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.”
Peter reminds us that when the Chief Shepherd appears, we will receive the crown of glory that never fades away. Ref: 1 Peter 5:4
So Psalm 22, 23, and 24 give us a beautiful picture:
The Good Shepherd died for me.
The Great Shepherd walks with me.
The Chief Shepherd is coming for me.
When the night is dark, sing the Psalms.
When your soul is weary, open the Psalms.
When you walk through the valley, remember Psalm 23.
The Shepherd who loved you enough to die for you is the same Shepherd who is leading you today—and He is the King of glory who is coming again.
The Psalms are not merely songs from the past. They become songs for our night, because the Shepherd is still with us.
*used writing tool
Thank you Father LORD for preserving YOUR word this far and giving us privilege to have it with us and encouraging us and transforming us each day through it..
ReplyDeleteYes Lord,.you lead me to still waters to seek your face as you alone are my satisfaction!!
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