The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want…(Psalm 23:1, ESV)
Close your eyes. Calm your mind. Picture yourself standing on a vast expanse of gently rolling hills covered with lush green grass.
Several lakes are nearby, with smooth and glassy surfaces that you can almost see your reflection in them. Surrounding the area are dense pine trees that blot out the sun. Have you got that picture?
On the one hand, you might think you are about to tee it up on one of the world’s most beautiful and magnificent golf courses—Augusta National, Bandon Dunes, or your favorite course.
Or, if you have recently read Psalm 23, the image in your mind might cause you to think of David’s famous psalm with its green pastures and still waters.
Based on his experience as a shepherd in his younger days and his experience with God’s intervention in his life, David used the word shepherd as a metaphor for God and his willingness to help, assist, and provide for us.
The name Jehovah-Rohi is first found in Genesis 48:15 when Jacob blesses Joseph. Rohi means “feed,” “tend,” or “lead to pasture.” It is utilized throughout Scripture, occurring over 110 times.
Psalm 23 summarizes the many names of God we have explored over the past eight months. In verse 1 (“I shall not want”), Jehovah-Jireh provides for all our needs. In verse 2 (“He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside still waters”). Jehovah-Shalom brings peace in the face of emotional upset. Jehovah-Rapha, in verse 3 (“he refreshes my soul), brings healing. In verse 4, Jehovah-Nissi provides courage to us when we face evil and other dark times (“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil…”). Jehovah-Rohi’s rod and staff comfort us all the days of our lives (verses 4-6).
David’s use of the pronoun “me” and present tense verbs reveals a personal, ongoing, and intimate relationship with his shepherd.
In John 10:11-15, we see the full revelation of Jesus as the “Good Shepherd” who not only knows his sheep and whose sheep know him but one willing to lay down his life for his sheep.
It is comforting to rely on the metaphor of the Good Shepherd. When I think of the many ways God has been the Good Shepherd to me— walking beside me and leading me through the loss of loved ones, guiding me during struggles in my professional life, and comforting me in dealing with significant health issues—I am so grateful that he was there beside me.
As I reflect on this immense gift, I am reminded of something written by Christopher Hudson in his devotional book, 100 Names of God, “When we say ‘The Lord is My Shepherd,’ we are humbly admitting and gratefully and unashamedly acknowledging that we need the Lord to guide us and meet the deepest needs of our life.”
How about you? In what ways has God been the Good Shepherd to you? Close your eyes again. Bring yourself back to the image created by Psalm 23: green pastures, still waters, and a protector with a rod and staff to comfort you. Do you see, hear, and feel the presence of Jehovah-Rohi by your side? How can we not be filled with anything but tremendous gratitude when the Good Shepherd is by our side.
Prayer: Jehovah-Rohi, we thank you for being the Good Shepherd who walks with us, leads us, feeds us, comforts us, strengthens us, heals us, and provides for all that we need.