By Rev. Daniel Yaw

Introduction
I was talking to a dear friend about his recent journey as a pastor and servant of the Lord.  I asked him, “What keeps us faithful unto the Lord in the ministry?”  It is a good question.  There are various answers to that question.  Even as you are reading this article, you may conjure some answers too.  They may be “commitment to the Lord” or “a decision made like a vow on a wedding day” or “think of the reward when we go to heaven.”, or “keep yourself unstained from the world”, and others.

While they are all true, perhaps I could add another one to the list or if not, have this as the sole answer to the question.  It is about knowing who my God is, and who He is to me.

While meditating on this, I was also thinking that this year is 2023.  The number 23 stood out and thus for one who reads the Bible, Psalm 23 also stood out.

Psalm 23 is more than just a nice psalm to read to bring comfort, especially in the event of a death.  So often we hear this psalm being read at funerals or even in the movies when there is a funeral.  Is psalm 23 used only for sad events like a funeral?

I believe it is more than that.  The psalmist who is a shepherd himself knows it very well and alluded the role of the shepherd to his God.  Jesus later in the New Testament said that He is the good shepherd.  The apostle Peter, in encouraging his fellow workers and leaders to shepherd the flock of God while looking to Jesus, our Chief Shepherd.

A Shepherd who is our Master
Just look at this one verse, “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall have no lack.”  The psalmist had carefully chosen his words when he penned it down.  

We know that the word, “Lord” is Adonai in Hebrew, which means Master.  That is why the word is translated as “Lord” in English, which carries the idea of a master.  At the same time, Adonai is also the word used for God to mean Almighty or the Mighty one.  When we begin to meditate on this word itself, it tells me that when I come into this relationship, I have given my life to this Shepherd to take control of me.

Many things in this world control us : the values of the world, the expectation of fellowmen, the demands of society, and even those who are evil like the devil.  How will I remain faithful,  really depends on who is in control of my life.  Would I let the Lord, Adonai be the Lord of my life?

If I were to ask the question of faithfulness, it is in knowing who my God is to me.  Is He the Lord and master of my life?  He who was, who is, and who is to come.  Not just today or the next five years but for all time.

A Shepherd who walks with us
The next phrase is the word “Shepherd”.  And this Lord must be “MY” shepherd.  When we read the Old Testament about the Messiah, we all know that theologically, God is the King, the Priest, and the Prophet.  However, when David the psalmist wrote this psalm under the divine inspiration of the Holy Spirit, it is more than just a theological thesis.  It is a devotional and personal reflection.  

As I was thinking, why didn’t the writer say, the Lord is my King, or my Priest, or My Teacher or My Prophet but SHEPHERD?  I believe that it is about a relationship with God.  What is the difference?  There are three main differences, namely, 

1. The teacher guides or leads by his WORD, while the Shepherd by his WORKS
2. The teacher pushes you to move, while the Shepherd moves on your behalf
3. The teacher makes you feel good, while the Shepherd makes good for you

The above is seen clearly in the rest of the psalm, as to what the Shepherd does for his sheep.

Conclusion
What causes us to remain faithful?  The answer is, “Is Jesus, your Shepherd?”.  If answered well, it does not just make me feel good but he will make good for me.  Take time to meditate on this psalm, verse by verse, and know the shepherd.  May the Lord always be your shepherd and the shepherd of FCC.  We are looking forward to moving into the new premises, into a new community, and let us trust the Good Shepherd to lead, to guide, to provide, to comfort, and to show grace and mercy.