Page 26 - May 2026 - Truth & Tidings

Protection As sheep-like creatures, we need not only

I AM is not just the God of infinite provi- provision and protection but also hope.
sion but also unfailing protection. David We need someone to lead us home. And
shifts from speaking about I AM to speak- if I AM is our shepherd, He will get us
ing to Him: “Even though I walk through there. In fact, Psalm 23 is part of a unit
the valley of the shadow of death, I will of psalms that traces the journey of the
3
fear no evil, for you are with me” (v4). As Davidic king. The unit begins in Psalm
Paul put it centuries later, “If God is for 15 with the question, Who will dwell on
us, who can be against us?” (Rom 8:31). I AM’s holy hill? The answer is the Mes-
There is no evidence in verse 4 to sug- siah of Psalm 16 who cries out in Psalm
gest that David has strayed from God’s 17, is delivered in Psalm 18, treasures the
paths. No, the divine Shepherd has led Word of God in Psalm 19, and provides
him into this dark and dangerous place. salvation for His people in Psalms 20-22.
What matters is not so much where we He is the One who will ascend the hill of
are but who is with us. Oh what comfort, the LORD (Psalm 24) and dwell in His
when we are walking through the valley house forever (23:6).
of deep darkness, to know that the Eternal Mysteriously, the Shepherd-King who
I AM is with us! can dwell forever in I AM’s house is Him-
self I AM (Psa 24:7-10). Something similar
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Hope is at play in Ezekiel 34. After condemning
But wait – something is chasing David. Israel’s shepherds for mistreating His
Not to worry, says David: “Only good- sheep, I AM says, “I myself will be the
ness and faithful love will pursue me all shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will
the days of my life” (v6 CSB). Of course, make them lie down” (v15). But then He
goodness and faithful love are I AM’s at- says of the Messiah: “I will set up over
tributes. Think of Yahweh’s famous self- them one shepherd, my servant David …
disclosure when He made His “goodness” he shall feed them and be their shepherd”
pass before Moses and declared to him (v23).
His name: “The LORD, the LORD, a God Our Lord Jesus knew exactly what He
merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and was doing when He said, “I AM the good
abounding in steadfast love” (Exo 33:19; shepherd” (Joh 10:11). We can call I AM
34:6). This is what it’s like to have I AM as our shepherd because I AM calls us His
our shepherd. He is before us, leading the sheep (v27). His Father gave us to Him. No
way (vv1-3), beside us, protecting us from one is able to snatch us from His hand, nor
all harm (v4), and behind us, pursuing us the Father’s hand, for He and the Father
with all His goodness and mercy (v6). I are one (vv28-30).
AM has His sheep surrounded! 2
No wonder David can close the psalm 3
Carissa Quinn, The Arrival of the King: The
with words of glorious hope: “I shall dwell Shape and Story of Psalms 15-24, Studies in
in the house of the LORD forever” (v6). Scripture & Biblical Theology (Bellingham, WA:
Lexham Academic, 2023).
2 David Gibson, The Lord of Psalm 23: Jesus Our 4 James M. Hamilton, Psalms, Evangelical Biblical
Shepherd, Companion, and Host (Wheaton, IL: Theology Commentary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham
Crossway, 2023), 125-26. Academic, 2021), 1:308.

154 TRUTH kTidings May 2026