In Psalm 23 we see a picture of our lives on this earth, nomadic, and the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ, who leads us through with an abundance. In verse 5 there is an emphasis upon the gracious hospitality of the Shepherd.
Shepherds lived their lives in the open field. Their homes were tents. They were Bedouins. For travelers crossing the desert the shepherds were like a moving oasis. Hospitality in the Bible is huge because this world is not what God created it to be. It has been infected with sin and death. There are dangers at every turn. We are travelers and in need of a gracious host for our journey. Verse 5 describes the most gracious Shepherd host there is, the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ.
He prepares a table of much needed nourishment, with howling wolves just outside. This is a picture of the Bible and the strength that God’s Word gives us on our journey. He welcomes us into His dwelling with the luxuries of fragrant oil for our head, hands, and feet. This is a picture of the Holy Spirit and His ministry in our lives of lingering wisdom, holy power and skill for our hands, and clear direction for our feet. He fills your cup with a generous overflow of the most precious and scarce commodity in the desert, water. This is a picture of God’s abundance of all we need, more than we need, in this pilgrimage we are on.
Where are you right now in your journey? Is the Lord your gracious host? Are you with Him? We often pray, “Lord, be with me,” but maybe we should ask, “Am I with Him?” Let Christ take care of you today.
Bubba Stahl
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