SHEPHERD OF ALL DIVINE COVENANTS

“The LORD is MY SHEPHERD, I shall not want” – Psalm 23:1

The perfection of God’s Covenants in our lives is a factor of knowing the SHEPHERD of ALL DIVINE COVENANTS: “The LORD is MY SHEPHERD, I shall not want” (Psa. 23:1). Psalm 23 is one of the best known passages in Scripture. It is both the Shepherd’s Psalm and the Sheep’s Psalm: one in which the sheep affirms the Shepherd’s blessings. It presents a simple but grand revelation of God as Shepherd, with the array of covenant blessings that believers can legitimately tap into by faith. When the Shepherd of Divine Covenants is YOUR SHEPHERD; all you’ll ever need or desire would be supplied!

In the Bible, the Lord is severally portrayed as the Shepherd: “As a shepherd seeks out his flock on the day he is among his scattered sheep, so will I seek out My sheep and deliver them from all places where they were scattered…I will feed them in GOOD pasture, and their fold shall be on the high mountains of Israel. There they shall lie down in a GOOD fold and feed in RICH pasture on the mountains of Israel…I will establish ONE Shepherd over them, and he shall feed them – My servant David. He shall feed them and be their shepherd”” (Ezel.34:12-14, 23). Isaiah 40:11 says, “He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those who are with young.”

Our Lord Jesus Christ is the ONE Good, Great, and Great Shepherd:

“I am the GOOD SHEPHERD. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep” (Jh.10:11).

“Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that GREAT SHEPHERD of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will…” (Heb.13:20-21a).

“And when the CHIEF SHEPHERD appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away” (1Pet.5:4).

In Him are the covenants of PROVISIONS: “…I shall not want” (v.1b). I shall not lack or be in want for anything – spiritual, mental, social, financial or physical. All the needs of my spirit, soul, and body are provided for in my Loving Shepherd.

In Him are the covenants of REST and REFRESHING: “He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters” (v.2) My Shepherd provides Rest and proper Nourishment when I’m tired, weary, hungry or thirsty.

In Him is the covenant of RESTORATION: “He restores my soul…” (v.3a). Sheep tend to stray and wander from the fold, but the Good Shepherd provides for Rest, Refreshment, and Restoration. When down and dispirited, He ‘reboots my system’!

In Him are the covenants of GUIDANCE and DIRECTION: “He leads me…” (vv.2-3). “He leads me beside the still waters…” and “in the paths of righteousness” (vv.2-3). He replaces confusion with direction into right paths, for the right destination.

In Him are the covenants of Divine PRESENCE and BOLDNESS: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow the death, I will fear no evil. For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me” (v.4). His Presence eliminates all fears and deletes all despair. Moreover, in His Presence I shall never lack Comfort!

In Him are the covenants of PROTECTED PROSPERITY: “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies” (v.5a). My Shepherd not only supplies my needs; He prepares banquets for me and all who are destined to dine at my table!

In Him are the covenants of unlimited, OVERFLOWING POWER: “You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over” (v.5b). My Shepherd possesses “ALL POWER in heaven and on the earth” (Mt.28:18).

Our Good, Great and Chief Shepherd is committed to perfecting His covenants of provisions, rest, refreshing, restoration, guidance, direction, divine presence, protected prosperity, and overflowing power in our lives. He will feed, nurture, guide and guard us till eternity, such that we assuredly can declare: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever” (v.6)