Psalm 23 – “The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.  2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.  3 He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows.  6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” NASB

I love this Psalm for many reasons.  One is that it describes and depicts what I like to call the “is-ness” of God.  Consider to David begins the Psalm – The LORD IS…  He is, not maybe will be, could be, and might be HE IS! Then David launches into a powerful discourse about WHAT and WHO GOD is to him personally, you, and me.

Because He IS my shepherd, “want or a sense of neediness is banished.”  Because He IS my shepherd, I am led to the quiet refreshing waters to restore my soul, directed to the lush green pastures for the sustenance of life I desperately need.  Because He IS my shepherd, I am led and kept on the path of righteousness. 

No matter what I face, the “is-ness” of God protects, defends, provides, and guides me.  Because He IS my shepherd, “fear” is dismissed because of His presence.  His power sustains and comforts me.  A banquet is prepared for me while surrounded by a host of adversaries, and my head is anointed with the Holy Oil of the Spirit of God, and my cup overflows so that others are blessed in my being blessed.  Because He IS my shepherd, the goodness and mercy of God follow me, like a newborn lamb follows its mother and I have permanent residence in God’s presence.

When I read this Psalm, I read of God’s IS-NESS, and my heart leaps for joy because I know that HE IS and IS a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.  He is a friend that sticks closer than a brother and never leaves nor forsakes His children.  HE IS, and because HE IS, I have hope!

May God be with you as you go through your day!