The relationship between God and His people is a profound experience that transcends all human language. Therefore, the Bible uses various metaphors to describe the relationship between God and man. Today we want to consider one such metaphor for God's relationship with mankind: the Lord as the Shepherd.

Tending sheep (shepherding) was a common occupation for centuries in ancient Israel. Sheep are animals that are completely dependent on their shepherd. While a good shepherd will take good care of his sheep and even risk himself to protect them. Psalm 23 is in that vein. God is the Shepherd and we are His sheep. The psalmist expresses his closeness and hope in the Shepherd. As a shepherd leads his sheep to pastures and cool water sources, so the Lord leads His people to peace and the right path. Following God will not lead us to destruction.

It is interesting to see the honesty of the psalmist in capturing the reality of what is happening. Life is never free from challenges and difficulties, so following God does not mean we never experience it all. But in the guidance of the Shepherd, even the valley of darkness can be passed well. The enemies that come our way do not pose a threat. Instead of danger, the life of someone who has fully surrendered to the Shepherd will abound with God's goodness and love. The poem closes with a very moving statement of the psalmist's commitment to dwell in the House of the Lord for all time.

Friends of the Bible, let us strengthen our relationship with God. Busyness and all the dynamics of life may have distanced us from Him, so come back to the embrace of the Great Shepherd. Entrust our lives only to Him, because God is the source of strength in the midst of all the uncertainties of life that occur. May God the Great Shepherd guide us always.