Having grown up as a shepherd boy in the hills around Bethlehem, king David knew all about sheep and he knew all about shepherds. One day when he reflected upon the greatness of his God he spoke of God as his shepherd.

David’s faith expression prompts some questions. How do people in what is being called a postmodern age, what some are calling a post-Christian age, see God? Is God a shepherd? Does God care? Is there a tender side to God? Is God a strict taskmaster, seeking his pound of flesh? Is there a God, and if there is how personal is God?

David thought God was very personal. To Him God was like a shepherd, drawing near his sheep to do whatever it takes to watch over them. He is a God who protects, who leads, who guides, even when the enemy surrounds His people.

The Shepherd won’t let his people live in denial, either. The world is filled with enemies of the Christian soul, and David isn’t hesitant to use the title “enemy.” Factors are at work in the world that can easily lead to paralyzing fear, but those factors are overpowered by the reality of the presence of the Living Shepherd-God.

For David life in God is life at it’s greatest possible meaning. The sheep are blessed because God is present. The enemy may still be there, mind you, but so is God. The cause of fear may still be there, but so is God. The valley of the shadow of death may still be there, but so is God.

So, the people of God journey with God leading them forward under His anointing and following them by His goodness and love (Ps. 23:5-6). This means we have divine grace for today and divine hope for tomorrow.

Can you say, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want” (Ps. 23:1)?