“The Lord is my Shepherd.”

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.” (Psalm 23:1-3 ESV)

Most of us have memorized Psalm 23 and recite it when we are having difficult times in our lives. That is exactly what David did. Not only in Psalm 23 but in many of David's Psalms, he writes of his faith, trust, and devotion to God. This opening verse of Psalm 23 is probably the best-known in this wonderful expression of David’s faith and trust in God.

David continues this expression of faith and trust in verse 4, where he writes, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; Your rod and your staff they comfort me. Throughout David’s life, especially regarding his father-in-law, King Saul, he faced great dangers and enemies from his very young age, confronting Goliath, through his fatherhood, and during the rebellion of his son Absalom, who tried to take the throne from David.

In verse 5, David writes of his trust in God, acknowledging God’s grace, mercy, and unfailing love. “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows." David knew when his time on earth was finished, he would go to God.

But one part of Psalm 23 that many miss reveals the gospel: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.^” David believed in the resurrection, knowing he would “dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

David believed in the resurrection, centuries before it was subsequently mentioned in the Old Testament. In fact, in Psalm 16:10, David wrote, “For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol or let your holy one see corruption.” This was seen in the New Testament as a messianic prophecy fulfilled by Christ. Peter used this verse in his Pentecostal sermon, as recorded in the Book of Acts.

The gospel lives in some form in every book of the Bible, and Christ told us it was about Him. One must understand that the Bible is one continuing story, dictated by God to many human authors, and in its entirety, it tells us of God’s plan of redemption for His human creation. Without the cross, there is no salvation. Only the blood of Christ alone, and our faith in Him, can one be saved from our sins.

Do you know what the gospel is? It is not four books, the eyewitness accounts of the incarnation of Jesus. Jesus is the Gospel. He is the Messiah, the Savior, and He is "the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world." Seek the Gospel, seek Christ, and ask Him to save you from your sin. It is His grace that provides your faith, a gift that makes you righteous before God and rejoins you in a living relationship with your Creator. And you will find eternity in heaven. That is the other free gift for an adopted child of God. What a bonus!

Grace and Peace.