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Psalm 23: The Gracious Shepherd (v5) The sheep continues to praise the shepherd for the bountiful provision and care that the shepherd provides: |
Psalm 23: The Gracious Shepherd (v5)
The sheep continues to praise the shepherd for the bountiful provision and care that the shepherd provides:
- Provision– He provides for the needs of the flock
- The shepherd has prepared the tableland for his flock, nourishing it, ridding it of harmful weeds, providing water, all in a place he can protect them from predators.
- So God has richly provided for our spiritual growth (Ps. 1:1-3; 1 Pet. 2; 2Tim. 3:16; Acts 20:32; James 1:21-22).
- More specifically we have Jesus as the bread of life (John 6:35) which we partake of by listening to His word and putting it into action (Matt. 7:24).
- Care– He tends to the health and safety of the flock.
- He is watchful for parasites that present physical danger to the flock as well as distract them from eating and thus maturing; with oil he will alleviate these problems.
- So too our shepherd knows we face distractions in life and has provided answers (Matt. 13:20-22).
- We are directed back from the cares and attention of the world to the Father (Matt. 6:25-34; Col. 3:2; 1 John 2:15-17; Phil. 4:8) that we might grow to greater maturity.
- Abundance– He realizes the bountiful blessings he enjoys.
- Far beyond contentment, he is blessed beyond his needs.
- As Christians we should recognize we have been blessed beyond what one could ever deserve (Phil. 4:11-13, 6; James 1:17; Ps. 136; Ps. 150:6; Rev. 4:11; 5:13; etc.).
- “What is man, that thou are mindful of him?” (Ps. 8:4).
