“The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing” (Psalm 23:1).

The way most of us learned the 23rd psalm is, “The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want,” and not “I lack nothing.”

The Hebrew word that is in question is “chaser”. The way to pronounce this word is khaser – ch/kh is guttural, and not chaser as in one who chases after something or someone. This word means to lack, to need, to be lacking.

Because the LORD is my shepherd, I will never be in a position of lack or need because the LORD, my shepherd, provides me with everything I need to thrive and succeed. My shepherd provides me with shalom. Shalom literally means peace, but it means so much more than our modern day usage of peace. The peace that God gives us can only be achieved when all that we need to live the abundant life is present.

This is why Jesus says, “I have come that you might have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10).

Here’s what this means.

God has given me in the twenty-four hour day all the time I need to live the abundant life. All the time I need for a full night’s sleep, time for rest and relaxation, the material, the relational, the spiritual resources I need to live the abundant life. EVERYTHING that I need for the abundant life, God has already given to us.

If this is the case, how come so few of us live like this? How come so many of us are tired all the time, lacking energy, time, funds all the time? If we have everything we need for the abundant life how come so many of us are living a life of lacking and scarcity?

That’s a great question.

Here’s the reason: because we keep adding unnecessary junk to our day. We add unnecessary TV time, junk food time, not exercising time, not spending time with God time, chasing after unnecessary goals, ungodly dreams, and riches.

No one forces us to add the junk. We choose it. Isn’t that crazy?

So, take a look at your life. What is there that needs some UN-CHOOSING today? God has already given us everything we need for the abundant life. What needs to be taken out today so that abundant life is a reality for you?

“The LORD is my shepherd…” (Psalm 23:1).

If you’re a sheep, shepherd matters.

The well-being, health, and what kind of a life a sheep lives depends all on the shepherd.

• If the shepherd is lazy, it’s the sheep who suffer.
• If the shepherd is mean, brutal, and violent, it is the sheep who suffer.
• If the shepherd in incompetent, it’s the sheep who suffer.
• If the shepherd is good, wise, competent, kind, loving, it is the sheep who benefit.

The LORD is my shepherd.

Sheep are one of the most hapless and helpless creatures in the animal kingdom.

• Sheep do not have a keen sense of smell, hearing, or eyesight.
• Sheep have no fangs, no claws, no horns.
• Sheep are not fast nor very agile.
• Sheep are not very smart.
• Sheep are one of the most defenseless creatures in the animal kingdom.

Sheep are completely dependent upon their shepherd for their protection, provisions, and well-being.

Christian. Who is your shepherd?

The LORD is my shepherd! The LORD is good. The LORD is kind. The LORD is powerful. The LORD is God.

The LORD is my shepherd!

Whatever you are facing today, you are not alone. For you are the LORD’s sheep, and he is your shepherd.

“The LORD is my shepherd…” (Psalm 23:1).

In the coming days we will be studying the 23rd Psalm together. There is a reason why this is one of the most beloved and well known psalms and passages of scripture. Even those who are not part of the church have heard of and know of this psalm.

So what is the big deal? Why is this one of the most important psalms? What does this psalm teach us about who God is and who we are?

That’s what we’re going to find out in the days to come.

“The LORD is my shepherd…”

The Hebrew language had multiple ways of referring to God. When the English Bible translates the word “Lord”, there are two primary Hebrew words that is translated into English as Lord.

• When you see “Lord”, the Hebrew word that is being translated is elohim. This Hebrew literally means God or god.
• When you see “LORD”, the Hebrew word that is being translated is YHWH, or yahweh. This word literally means “I am who I am.” This is the self-designation that God proclaimed to Moses when Moses asked who he was supposed to tell the Israelites sent him to free the Israelites. This word is so holy, so revered, that Jews never even pronounced the name. Whenever they came to this name in the Hebrew Bible, they would utter, elohim.

Our text declares that the LORD – YHWH is our shepherd. The LORD who created the heavens and the earth with the utterance of a spoken word. The LORD who is the ruler over all time, all history, and all eternity. The LORD who is above all. That LORD is our shepherd.

Our God is not just your run of the mill gods of the world. Our God is the LORD. There is none like him. He is the King of kings, LORD of lords, and the only living and loving God.

Most importantly, he is your God; my God.

“The LORD is my shepherd.”

Now, that’s saying something!!!