Psalm 23 Devotional
—Donna Anello
If you’re over the age of thirteen years old you’ve probably at least heard the question, “What is the meaning of life?” Perhaps you have pondered this deep philosophical concept yourself. This is a complex meditative and contemplative question. Let me share a secret with you, just between us girl—the answer is not found in the teachings of the renowned philosophers of this age or ancient times. Nor is the answer found in the famous minds of well-known psychologists. No, dear sisters in the Lord, the answer is found in the Truth. The one and only Truth, the word of God, the Lord Jesus, and the Good News of the Good Book, the Bible. It is there in plain sight for anyone with eyes to see and ears to hear to find. In my Bible, it’s found on page 596.
World-renowned and beloved Christian theologian Ravi Zacharias stated that the meaning of life is “wonder, truth, love, and security.” What could he mean in sharing these four short words to define something as complex and elusive for ancient to current philosophers to suggest these four words are the meaning of life?
I believe Ravi has hit the nail upon the head. Wonder, truth, love, and security are all found in abundance in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. If we take just a cursory overview of Psalm 23, we can find the answer to the meaning of life and confirmation of Ravi’s deduction. Let’s begin at the beginning. In a season of spiritual intimacy with God, King David pens this psalm, around the year 1,000 BC.
Verse one identifies the Lord as our Good Shepherd who leads and feeds his sheep who trust him and would be helpless without their capable and wise shepherd. David was a shepherd when he was but a boy and became a King when he became a man. My heart is filled with amazement and wonder at the analogy of the great God of the Universe inspiring David to compare Him to a shepherd, low on the social ladder, doing lonely work, tending to dumb and dirty animals. He became what His creation needed Him to be so we could become what He needs us to be, willing lovers of His Name, His Blood, and His Word. We, His sheep, are fully dependent on Him for the very breath we breathe. He is our Savior, the Lord of Lords, King of Kings, and our Good Shepherd. Wonder.
The truth of the Good Shepherd as depicted in Psalm 23 is that He is Jehovah Roi, who will lead us and feed us. He is Jehovah Jireh, who provides for all our needs. He is Jehovah Shalom who leads us beside still waters to a place of rest. He is Jehovah Rapha who heals all dis-ease and restores our souls, bodies, and our lives. He is Jehovah Tsidkenu, our righteousness who sets a table for us before our enemies. Jesus paid it all. He is Jehovah El-Elyon our defender, always taking care of us. And as He is all in all to us, we will live in the house of the Lord, in His presence, forever and always. Truth.
The Good Shepherd protects his sheep with his rod and guides them to safety and provision with his staff. Just as the smelly and unintelligent sheep need the shepherd to protect them from predators, or they will surely wander off and die, we believers also need our Good Shepherd to protect us from the predatory evil one and to guide us into all truth and safety. We are left exposed and vulnerable to danger out from underneath His hand of protection. His Holy Spirit fills our hearts with His wisdom and truth so we can commune with Him and make good choices according to His word. His security blankets our lives. Security.
The Good Shepherd anoints our heads with oil and our cups overflow with blessings spilling out onto our families and friends and employers and neighbors and strangers. Charles Spurgeon says His goodness supplies all our needs and His mercy or love, blots out all our sins. His love for us is unending and limitless. Even when we feel unlovable filled with shame and guilt, we can share our hearts, confess our sins, and can be washed white as the pure, untouched snow that falls upon the highest mountain tops never to be walked on by humans. Love.
So, I ask you, “What is the meaning of life?” Is it not allowing oneself to be yielded to our Creator who sees us and directs us to sustenance, knowing we are protected from imminent and ever-present danger, following the promptings of the Holy Spirit who leads us into all truth, and walking confidently in our blessings from a Father who loves us, while blessing those around us? In a time such as these evil days, our hearts can soar in freedom and our minds can repose in peace because our Lord, Jesus Christ, has sent His word to encourage us, to give us clarity from deception and wrong thinking, and to share His blessed assurance that we are loved and blessed.
Dear Heavenly Father, in Jesus' name, we acknowledge you as our Good Shepherd. We declare we will listen for your voice and follow your leadings so we can be fed and safe and loved. We desire to be all that you have called us to be in your kingdom. We know you will prepare us and position us to do your good work and receive your blessings. We trust in your word and rely on you for all things. We bring before your throne of grace these prayer requests ( state your requests ) and know your answer is yes and amen because we have prayed according to your will. Bless each one of us today and cause us to be a blessing to others. We love you, we praise you, and we glorify your majestic name.
World-renowned and beloved Christian theologian Ravi Zacharias stated that the meaning of life is “wonder, truth, love, and security.” What could he mean in sharing these four short words to define something as complex and elusive for ancient to current philosophers to suggest these four words are the meaning of life?
I believe Ravi has hit the nail upon the head. Wonder, truth, love, and security are all found in abundance in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. If we take just a cursory overview of Psalm 23, we can find the answer to the meaning of life and confirmation of Ravi’s deduction. Let’s begin at the beginning. In a season of spiritual intimacy with God, King David pens this psalm, around the year 1,000 BC.
Verse one identifies the Lord as our Good Shepherd who leads and feeds his sheep who trust him and would be helpless without their capable and wise shepherd. David was a shepherd when he was but a boy and became a King when he became a man. My heart is filled with amazement and wonder at the analogy of the great God of the Universe inspiring David to compare Him to a shepherd, low on the social ladder, doing lonely work, tending to dumb and dirty animals. He became what His creation needed Him to be so we could become what He needs us to be, willing lovers of His Name, His Blood, and His Word. We, His sheep, are fully dependent on Him for the very breath we breathe. He is our Savior, the Lord of Lords, King of Kings, and our Good Shepherd. Wonder.
The truth of the Good Shepherd as depicted in Psalm 23 is that He is Jehovah Roi, who will lead us and feed us. He is Jehovah Jireh, who provides for all our needs. He is Jehovah Shalom who leads us beside still waters to a place of rest. He is Jehovah Rapha who heals all dis-ease and restores our souls, bodies, and our lives. He is Jehovah Tsidkenu, our righteousness who sets a table for us before our enemies. Jesus paid it all. He is Jehovah El-Elyon our defender, always taking care of us. And as He is all in all to us, we will live in the house of the Lord, in His presence, forever and always. Truth.
The Good Shepherd protects his sheep with his rod and guides them to safety and provision with his staff. Just as the smelly and unintelligent sheep need the shepherd to protect them from predators, or they will surely wander off and die, we believers also need our Good Shepherd to protect us from the predatory evil one and to guide us into all truth and safety. We are left exposed and vulnerable to danger out from underneath His hand of protection. His Holy Spirit fills our hearts with His wisdom and truth so we can commune with Him and make good choices according to His word. His security blankets our lives. Security.
The Good Shepherd anoints our heads with oil and our cups overflow with blessings spilling out onto our families and friends and employers and neighbors and strangers. Charles Spurgeon says His goodness supplies all our needs and His mercy or love, blots out all our sins. His love for us is unending and limitless. Even when we feel unlovable filled with shame and guilt, we can share our hearts, confess our sins, and can be washed white as the pure, untouched snow that falls upon the highest mountain tops never to be walked on by humans. Love.
So, I ask you, “What is the meaning of life?” Is it not allowing oneself to be yielded to our Creator who sees us and directs us to sustenance, knowing we are protected from imminent and ever-present danger, following the promptings of the Holy Spirit who leads us into all truth, and walking confidently in our blessings from a Father who loves us, while blessing those around us? In a time such as these evil days, our hearts can soar in freedom and our minds can repose in peace because our Lord, Jesus Christ, has sent His word to encourage us, to give us clarity from deception and wrong thinking, and to share His blessed assurance that we are loved and blessed.
Dear Heavenly Father, in Jesus' name, we acknowledge you as our Good Shepherd. We declare we will listen for your voice and follow your leadings so we can be fed and safe and loved. We desire to be all that you have called us to be in your kingdom. We know you will prepare us and position us to do your good work and receive your blessings. We trust in your word and rely on you for all things. We bring before your throne of grace these prayer requests ( state your requests ) and know your answer is yes and amen because we have prayed according to your will. Bless each one of us today and cause us to be a blessing to others. We love you, we praise you, and we glorify your majestic name.
