As I continue studying Psalm 23 I discovered the shepherd employs various means to provide water for his sheep. He may use cisterns, wells or troughs. The shepherd may also lead the sheep beside "still waters" or shall I say to "stilled waters." Because the waters may be raging, he causes them to "be still." Robert T. Ketcham author of "I Shall Not Want" says, the shepherd may build a dam by piling rocks and sod from the bank to "still" rapidly moving waters. The sheep refresh themselves with the "stilled" water or crossover to the other side of the riverbank.
Ketcham goes back to the Old Testament to compare Moses the gentle Shepherd with Jesus the Good Shepherd. He noted on one occasion that Moses provided water for the Israelites via striking a rock causing the water to flow freely. Moses met the same challenge of providing water to sheep in a dry and barren land, sometime later. This time God told him to speak to the rock. To his own loss, Moses smote the rock instead of speaking to it. Why did God tell him to speak to the rock instead of striking it? Here, we see God was trying to paint a picture that once Christ the rock of Salvation was smitten on the cross, we would only have to speak to Him about our needs and circumstances! And He would gladly come to our aid.
Are you speaking to the rock (praying) to Jesus the Christ, the Good Shepherd, the Rock of your salvation about your circumstances? Paul tells us in Philippians 4:6 not to worry about anything but pray about everything.
Go to the rock of your salvation and speak to Him because He is ready and able to meet every need.
Let's take a look at our passage as noted in the CEV
The Lord Is My Shepherd (CEV)
Psalm 23:1 (A psalm by David.) You, LORD, are my shepherd. I will never be in need.
Psalm 23:2 You let me rest in fields of green grass. You lead me to streams of peaceful water,
Psalm 23:3 and you refresh my life. You are true to your name, and you lead me along the right paths.
Psalm 23:4 I may walk through valleys as dark as death, but I won't be afraid. You are with me, and your shepherd's rod makes me feel safe.
Psalm 23:5 You treat me to a feast, while my enemies watch. You honor me as your guest, and you fill my cup until it overflows.
Psalm 23:6 Your kindness and love will always be with me each day of my life, and I will live forever in your house, LORD.
