The 23rd Psalm speaks to us of the good life and about death. And sooner or later, we will all face death. This Psalm also speaks to us of that hope that we have of life after death. It has become one of the most popular passages of Scripture because it speaks of those issues of which we all have an intense interest.
We all desire and talk about the good life; but just what is the good life? Is it having all the money we need to buy what we want? But just how much money is that? Is it a thousand, a million, or even a billion? We cannot satisfy all of our wants; it is virtually impossible.
“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want.” Being satisfied with what the Lord gives to us will lead to a life of contentment. Paul said, “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that” (1 Timothy 6:6-8). Jesus said, “What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26).
“He makes me to lie down in green pastures.” God will provide all that we need in life, but that does not mean we do not have to work for it. The Bible teaches that we are to work for our needs (cf. 1 Thessalonians 4:11; 2 Thessalonians 3:10). Even the birds and other animals work for their food and places to live.
“He leads me beside still waters.” I do not have to fight for refreshment and peace of mind in the troubled waters of this world. By His Spirit I receive refreshment, peace of mind and contentment.
“He restores my soul.” Paul wrote, “Though our outward man is perishing, the inner man is renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16). Paul prayed for the Ephesians, “That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man” (Ephesians 3:16). The Lord becomes our strength as we go through this life.
“He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” We do not need to worry about the direction for our life, because He leads us in the right path for His name’s sake. How often we come to crossroads in life where there are choices we must make as to which path we will take. Many times these are very important decisions, and our future depends upon it. Even though we might be hesitant and reluctant, how wonderful it is when we have committed our life to Him as our Shepherd to guide us, knowing that He will lead us in the right path 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.” The Lord has been our Shepherd through the path of life. But, inevitably, the path is going to take a turn into the valley of the shadow of death. He has led us through life and now He is leading us as we come to the end of life into the valley of the shadow of death. When we come to that turn in the path, when we come to face death we have no reason to fear, for He is still leading us. Christians can face death without a fear of evil because His presence is with us at the time of death.
We do not need to be afraid of shadows; shadows cannot hurt you. It is as though death stands by the path and casts its shadow over the path, but there is only a shadow because there is light on the other side. Paul wrote, “Where, O Death, is your victory? Where, O Death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:55-57).
The sting of death has been removed—it is gone—and there is no fear of death. Jesus fulfilled all of the law and then died for our sins and took away the sting of death for those who have put their faith in Him. As we walk through the valley of death there is no fear of evil.
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.” The preparing of a table gives the idea of a feast; we feast on the bounty that He provides for us. We do not have to worry about the issues of life, because we are under the watchful eye of our Shepherd, and He will see that all of our needs are taken care of.
“You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” This is one the most descriptive phrases of what the Christian life should be. Jesus said, “I have come that they might have life and that more abundantly” (John 10:10). The Lord doesn’t want to just fill your cup; He wants your cup to overflow. He just keeps pouring into our lives until our lives overflow with His goodness. God wants to bless you, so that through you, He might bring blessings to others.
“Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” As a Christian you cannot go anywhere without God’s goodness and mercy being with you. And when we pass that shadow in the valley, we will enter into the light on the other side and we are at home at last in our Father’s house (cf. John 14:1-3).