(Read Psalm 23)
Something has always struck me about the two emotional aspects of Psalm 23. It slaps me with the dark, harsh reality of our looming earthly journey while, at the same time, bringing the soothing comfort of God’s blessing. How can it be both? The Psalm is frequently read at funerals; I remember standing at the Lectern in front of family and friends reading it at my Dad’s service. At the risk of ridicule being the center of attention in front of my family, I was somewhat paralyzed as I started to read. But I felt a calming presence as I got into “green pastures” and “still waters” in verses two and three.
I know now that it was God’s presence, not preventing or removing my fears but walking in concert with me. Until Jesus returns, God will not remove the valley of the shadow of death from us. Non-Christians often think that we are Pollyannaish, naively thinking everything is wonderful or that we’re blindly following a God of false promises, deluding ourselves to get through the harshness of life. If you know our God, the God of the Bible, you’d know that nothing could be farther from the truth. We know there will be trials, pain, and death in front of us – Jesus said so. But He promised so much more.
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.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.
Psalm 23:1-4
In this beautiful poem, David likens God to a shepherd, with us being His flock. The rod symbolizes God’s strength and power to protect the sheep from predators and to correct their wandering. God’s staff represents His constant presence, support, and provision to help us navigate difficult terrain and to guide the sheep. These two metaphors are weaved seamlessly together. Even the correction of the rod is comforting because it shows God cares about us and wants us to remain on the right path. Upon hearing David’s twenty-third Psalm, those unfamiliar with it might be moved, but if they’re not in a close relationship with God, they won’t really feel Him. They won’t know the blessings from His presence.
I had no idea what I would write about this week, but “Hesed” kept popping into my head. While doing background reading for the devotional, I wondered where this thought came from. Where did I see the reference to Hesed? Was it highlighted in my Bible, my daily devotional, or a book about the Psalter I’m reading? Nope. I couldn’t find it anywhere – God just wanted me to learn more about this and share.
Hesed is one of the Hebrew words used for “love.” סד, pronounced “kheh-sed,” according to scholars, is a difficult word to translate into English. There are several meanings for Hesed, and they vary depending on the context. Translations include Lovingkindness, Steadfast Love, Mercy, Kindness, and Faithfulness. However, none of these single words fully captures the essence of Hesed. Theologian John Oswalt described Hesed as “completely undeserved kindness and generosity” by someone in a position of power. He added that “it goes beyond just an emotion or feeling. Hesed involves action and commitment.”
Your servant has found favor in your eyes, and you have shown great kindness (hesed) to me in sparing my life. But I can’t flee to the mountains; this disaster will overtake me, and I’ll die.”
Genesis 19:19
This story of Lot and his family in Genesis describes their fleeing from the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot is speaking to angels (of God) who have warned him to flee the city before it is destroyed. While Lot acknowledged the divine mercy, kindness, and favor (Hesed) shown to him in sparing his life, he expressed concern about fleeing to the mountains, fearing that he might not survive there. Not fully trusting in God’s favor, he negotiated, asking instead if he could escape to a nearby small town called Zoar, which he believed would be a safer refuge. It is ironic how Lot thought he might know a safer refuge than God, through His blessings, might have had in store for him.
Despite being saved from destruction, Lot was still afraid for his life and expressed doubt about his ability to survive in the mountains. This behavior reflects the frailty and uncertainty of human nature (his and ours), even in the face of divine intervention. The story doesn’t show God criticizing Lot for his fear or bargaining. It demonstrates God’s mercy in being willing to work with his limitations. Ultimately, God allowed Lot to go to Zoar.
“For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love (hesed) will not depart from you, and my covenant of peace will not be shaken, says the LORD, who has compassion on you.”
Isaiah 54:10
Isaiah packed God-sized chunks of comfort and assurance in this verse. He began his comparison of God’s unwavering love (Hesed) with something as powerful and immovable as a mountain. Then he clarified that one day, even they may “depart” or be “removed.” God’s unwavering, faithful love for his people will never fade. Hesed also signifies a covenant of peace that cannot be shaken no matter the circumstances of difficult times. Isaiah reminds his readers that Hesed is not passive; it’s actively rooted in God’s compassion. The LORD sees our struggles and offers us comfort and peace.
When my son was playing in a county tennis tournament his senior year, I prayed and prayed for his success. Ashamedly, I even bargained a little bit. He won the county tournament and came in third in his region. Because he didn’t place first or second, he was denied entrance to compete in the state tournament. My wife and I were sad for him and us. Six years later, our daughter decided to quit playing D-I lacrosse her senior year. She was done and emotionally defeated by the experience. We fully supported her decision, yet once again, we were crushed. As I’ve matured in my walk with Jesus, I’ve come to learn a lot of things. A lot of insight about me and even more about God’s love. What we were hoping for in the temporary success of our children wasn’t reflective of God’s Hesed. He wanted more than silly sports accolades for our family.
During those times, my business suffered. I postponed meetings. My wife and I were constantly out of the house, trekking from one match/game to another. We spent a fortune on travel and meals. As I look back on it, I believe that God wanted to clear our plates, wipe clean our biggest distractions, and focus us on Him again.
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2:20
In Galatians, Paul declared, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” This emphasized the transformative nature of the Christian life. Through faith in Christ, believers experience a radical change in their identity. Our old self, characterized by sin and rebellion against God, is crucified with Christ, and we are made new creations. “Who loved me and gave himself for me” highlights the theme of God’s love (Hesed) and Christ’s sacrificial death for sinners. Hesed gives us a perfect view of God’s heart. His complete forgiveness of sin through Christ’s sacrifice restores our fellowship with God.
Despite his fear and uncertainty, Lot ultimately trusted the guidance of the angels and followed their instructions. Isaiah felt God’s steadfast love and wrote about it so that we would know His everlasting compassion. Paul died to himself to find the ultimate peace and love only offered through Jesus Christ.
Love without a commitment isn’t really love. I know unwed couples living together; where’s the bond? It doesn’t take a commitment to stay in the same house. When someone says they love us, it’s touching, warm, and fuzzy. But if we are not committed to them, is there loyalty, service, peace, and comfort in their statement? When we have a covenant relationship with God, we gain everything from his favor. Biblical scholars E. Randolph Richards and Brandon J. O’Brien wrote that “(Hesed) Chesed doesn’t mean lots of things. But we need lots of English words to circle around a concept for which we don’t have a word. Chesed is “a kindly-loyal-merciful-faithful-(the-sort-that-shows-up-in-actions) kind of love.”
Psalm 23 reminds us that we are loved, comforted, abided, and in His good grace when we dwell in His house.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
Psalm 23:5-6
Key Application:
- Read Psalm 23. The first verse says, “I shall not want.” Do the sheep need anything more from their shepherd? Do we need anything more from God that He isn’t already providing? Pray a hearty thanks to Him this week for all of your needs.
- In the Gospel of John (John 10:11-14), Jesus himself refers to being the “good shepherd” who lays down his life for the sheep. Does your relationship with God’s love, compassion, and forgiveness through Jesus Christ restore you and give you peace? Pray and show that it does.
Where else in your life can you live out the teachings of Christ? Look for next week’s Devotion.