August 17, 2022

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 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.

Psalm 23:1-4

According to verses 1-4, the shepherding presence of the LORD brings about the lack of two things, “want” in verse 1; and fear of “evil” in verse 4. So, to put it simply, God’s presence results in the absence of lack, and the removal of fear from evil. Really? How is this any different than Buddhist-like theological detachment?

Christians still go poor and suffer deprivation while the history of martyrdom gives evidence of all sorts of evil, and yet God’s word remains true. How? His presence as our shepherd stirs faith in Him as we remember his hand at work in the past, and see it working in the present. But there is a discipleship element at hand here - sheep experience safety and provision inasmuch as they follow the shepherd.

Likewise, we have to follow Christ in the ways laid out for us according to his word in the Bible: through prayer, study, worship, and fellowship with God’s people. In order to experience the comfort that comes from our shepherd God - we first have to be shepherded by him.

-Matt Allhands