Exploring Hope: Christ leads

Posted by Will Stern on January 17, 2021

Psalm 23 is a beautiful piece of ancient Hebrew poetry that countless believers have sung and prayed for generations. Therefore, taking a verse a month, we are walking through this Psalm verse by verse. And today, we find ourselves in verse 2: “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters” (Psalms 23:2 KJV).

As you read this verse, imagine yourself as a smelly sheep. You are hungry and thirsty but don’t know where to find food or water. You are a sheep, after all. But you have a faithful and caring shepherd. He carefully leads you to a green pasture where you can feed. He brings you to a calm brook where you can drink your fill. And if you only follow the shepherd, he will lead you exactly where you need to go.

Now, that’s how we should think about our relationship with Jesus Christ. Like spiritual sheep, we are hungry and thirsty for happiness, purpose, and satisfaction. We long for security and stability in the midst of a tumultuous world. And, though we don’t know where to find it by our own strength or intellect, Jesus says, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd” (John 10:10-11 ESV).

Jesus came that we might have abundant life – true hope and satisfaction. And he is the Good Shepherd who will guide us to green pastures and still waters where we can find this true hope and satisfaction.

So, in a crazy world, are you thirsty and hungry for something more? Do you long for true satisfaction? Where can you find it? Well, according to the New Testament, Jesus is the only Good Shepherd who can guide us to true and abundant life. Therefore, may we all trust in him alone for salvation.

Ways to pray:

Lord, I admit that I’m hungry and thirsty for more in life. By your mercy, help me to find abundant life. Show me where to look;
Father, let me feed on your Word through regular reflection on the Bible. Let me see and taste that the Lord is good;
Lord Jesus, my heart is tumultuous today. I’m afraid of the things I see on the news. Please give me a sense of true and lasting peace through Jesus, who promises to lead me beside still waters.

About Will Stern

Originally from Colorado, Will Stern is the pastor of Hope Presbyterian Church in Garnet Valley. He majored in violin performance for his undergrad and taught violin for a number of years before being called into ministry. He studied theology at Duke University and Westminster Theological Seminary.