Good day brothers and sisters it’s the Fourth Sunday of Lent. The Psalmist had a shepherd, do you have a shepherd. Let’s read more about that in the Smart Book;
Psalm 23 Amplified Bible
The LORD, the Psalmist’s Shepherd.
A Psalm of David.
23 The LORD is my Shepherd [to feed, to guide and to shield me],
I shall not want.
2
He lets me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still and quiet waters.
3
He refreshes and restores my soul (life);
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
for His name’s sake.
4
Even though I walk through the [sunless] [a]valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort and console me.
5
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You have anointed and refreshed my head with [b]oil;
My cup overflows.
6
Surely goodness and mercy and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life,
And I shall dwell forever [throughout all my days] in the house and in the presence of the LORD.
This Psalm is probably the most used for reading at a funeral or memorial service. During those hard times of such loss it is important to think of the living and their walk with God. Many who come to those services don’t have a shepherd and any hope for a future after death. Yes these services are an opportunity to share the gospel Christ for the Pastor or Officiant of the service. As you can see in this Psalm the shepherd provides you with all you need. He feeds, guides, and shields you. He allows you to peacefully sleep and rest. He gives you refreshment for your soul and restores it. No matter what you go through in life you have no fear, because He protects and guides you. He even allows you dine with your enemies. With the Shepherd you have goodness and mercy and unfailing love with you all the days of your life. You belong to His fold and He houses you with others in His Church. You can always be in His presence and call upon Him. This Psalm is not just to comfort you about the care for the dead, but to assure you the living that you too can have a wonderful Shepherd and live without your friend or loved one being in your presence anymore. The disciples needed this, because the Lord was about to be crucified and would leave their presence, but He wasn’t leaving them without a Shepherd. Allow the Lord to heal you today! Accept His gift of salvation so you too can have such a shepherd.
The Lord bless and keep you, His Face shine upon you,
Chaplain Loehne