Have you ever wondered how David could write The Lord is my Shepherd? I love this New Life Translation: The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23.

David wrote from experience of God with him…you are close beside me.

In 1 Samuel 30 David and his 600 men return to their families only to find Ziklag burned and everyone and all the plunder taken by the Amalekites who raided it. He and his men are overcome and his men even talk of stoning David. But David found strength in the Lord his God. v. 6. He turns to God. Have we found that strength in God that David turned to?

God directs David to go recover all that was taken. “Pursue them,” he answered. “You will certainly overtake them and succeed in the rescue.” v. 8.

The remarkable thing about David was that even though 200 men were too exhausted after the three days it took to get back to their families, he made sure to share the plunder with them as they had protected the supplies. He made sure to share the plunder with the elders of Judah and to those in all other places where he and his men had roamed. v. 30. David knew Who provided and he shared.

The Lord was David’s Shepherd and He provided all that David needed and his greatest need was for God. David found strength in the Lord his God. In God was his home…restful meadows and peaceful streams…his restoration of hope when others were overtaken with the enormity of the problems they faced.

Imagine being the disciples living and learning with Jesus teaching them, shepherding them in person! They had so much to learn and the most important thing was that Jesus was with them always. They learned that lesson on stormy seas. Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into a boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. After leaving them, he went up on a mountain to pray. Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. Mark 6:45-51.

God will strengthen you. The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17. At that time I will gather you; at that time I will bring you home. Zephaniah 3:20.

His goodness and unfailing love will pursue you all the days of your life. He sees you. He loves you. He assures you, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” He is in the process of bringing us home to Him. Trust Him to shepherd you and guide you along right paths. Trust His strength when yours fails you. He’s here and He loves you.