Jehovah-Rohi

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,  he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness (Psalm 23:1-3)

JEHOVAH-ROHI “The Lord my shepherd”

          These verses are among the most well-known in Scripture. They have brought comfort to many people. There's a book called A Shepherd Looks At The Twenty-Third Psalm by W. Phillip Keller that gives insight into the truths of this song. I recommend it.

      For now, notice some of the verbs. The Shepherd makes us lie down in green pastures. We aren't given an option about what we're going to eat or where we're going to lie down. Yes, it's a green pasture. There is "food" all around us, but after a while, grass gets boring. We want something else to eat. Not only that, once we've eaten, we don't want to lie down. We want to play. The Shepherd doesn't give us that option.

     Years ago, Dad and I were eating out, which isn't unusual. I noticed a youngster at a nearby table. It was hard not to notice him. He was giggling and jumping up and down in his excitement as he ate. I thought, "His parents should stop him, he's going to throw up." Before I could work up the courage to make that suggestion, he threw up. When our Shepherd makes us lie in green pastures, it's for our good, but we tend to think the weeds on the other side of the fence look greener. We want to jump and play and wander over there to see what's there. We are not in want, but we tend to want what we don't have.

        The Lord is my shepherd is comforting, but the comfort is a result of His Lordship, not His provision. His provision is only part of what a shepherd does. It is in response to our needs, not our wants. When people arrogantly say that believers are stupid sheep - they're right. The difference is that we have a Shepherd who cares enough to give the very best, and not to tolerate what isn't good for us now matter how stubborn and stupid we are.