Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever
Psalm 23:4b-6
I often cringe when I see a spiritual article mention “abundance” because it is often a take on “prosperity theology”, but the reality is a relationship with God promises abundance in spite of the valley of the shadow of death (or as one commentator put it, “our darkest valley”); in spite of evil; and in spite of my enemies. The abundance David speaks of is the same abundance Jesus spoke of when He said, “I have come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).
The prevailing promise of Psalm 23 is the Shepherd Himself. First (v. 1-3) David describes the Lord as the Shepherd Who provides what we need. Then (v. 4-6) David speaks directly to Him acknowledging that He gives us much more than we need. Christians now live in the abundant provision of our ever-loving, ever-caring, ever-interceding Good Shepherd. In our future is a time when God will wipe away every tear from [our] eyes because of the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne [Who] will shepherd [us] (Revelation 7:17).
God calls His children His sheep. Sheep are not capable of caring for themselves. Neither are we. Sheep and children need guidance – in times of peace and in times of turmoil. It is comforting to know that our Shepherd provides correction and direction for all times.Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
Sheep are defenseless and can not ward off an attack by a predator. That’s the Shepherd’s job. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord (Romans 12:19). Leave the situation to the Shepherd. He will take care of it. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. God wants to honor us – undeserving as we are. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one (John 17:22). Our sacrificial Shepherd died so that we might share His glory. What an amazing thought!
This promise is for the present and the future. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Knowing the Lord as our eternal Shepherd is the abundance we are promised. What more could we ask for?
One Focus Ministries 