Psalms 23 - My Responsibility
by Chris Simmons
One of the most well known and quoted Psalms is the 23rd Psalm which begins with, “The Lord is my shepherd.” Within that Psalm are “precious and magnificent promises” (II Peter 1:4) that are undoubtedly encouraging and uplifting for our hearts to meditate on. They include the promises of peace, comfort, sustenance, restoration, and overflowing blessings. We need to remember these blessed promises as we deal with the trials and tribulations of life and use them to help us to continue to the run the race before us with endurance. Within that same Psalm are also personal responsibilities that we bear in order to receive these blessings that perhaps we don’t focus on quite as much. God’s blessings are always conditional and dependent on man to fulfill his God-given responsibilities. We read in Deuteronomy 28:1-14 of the blessings God had planned for the nation of Israel but that discussion began in verse 1 with the critical word “if” and followed with what they were personally responsible for. Likewise, the promises and blessings of the 23rd Psalm are for those who fulfill the responsibilities identified therein.
Our first responsibility is to be content with the blessings God gives us and focus on the spiritual rather than the physical. We read in verse 1, “I shall not want.” We must learn to be content with what God blesses us with as we read in Hebrews 13:5 and Philippians 4:11. Our responsibility is to be spiritually focused. I Timothy 6:6-10 teaches us of our responsibility to focus not on the temporal riches of this life but on our need for spiritual discipline and contentment. We are responsible for keeping our mind set on the things above (Colossians 3:1-2) and having faith that God will bless us with what we need (Matthew 6:33-34) – not with what we want.
Our second responsibility in Psalms 23 is to follow the Lord’s leadership and be submissive to Him. Verse 2 says, “He leads me beside quiet waters.” We must choose to hear His voice and follow Him (John 10:27). God never forces anyone to follow Him. We must humble ourselves and submit to His will and His leadership (James 4:7). That involves seeking His way in our lives. As David wrote in Psalms 86:11, may our ardent cry be, “Teach me Thy way, O Lord; I will walk in Thy truth; unite my heart to fear Thy name.” That involves an intense commitment to spend time to know and value God’s will. We read in Psalms 42:11, “O send out Your light and Your truth, let them lead me; let them bring me to Your holy hill and to Your dwelling places.” He can lead us only when we stop leaning on our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5) and admit that it’s not in ourselves to direct our steps in life (Jeremiah 10:23).
Our third responsibility in Psalms 23 is to be guided in His paths and be obedient. Verse 3 says, “He guides me in the paths of righteousness.” Again, that guidance is not forced upon us. Our responsibility is to seek and accept God’s direction and guidance and follow it fully. We read in Psalms 73:23-25, “Nevertheless I am continually with Thee; Thou hast taken hold of my right hand. With Thy counsel Thou wilt guide me, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but Thee? And besides Thee, I desire nothing on earth.” If we accept the Lord’s guidance, we will listen to Him in terms of places, people, and things to avoid (such as we read in Romans 13:13-14) and those places, people, and things we are to seek after and pursue (such as we read in II Timothy 2:22).
Our fourth responsibility is to not fear but be courageous in our service to God. Verse 4 says, “I fear no evil for Thou art with me.” We have a formidable adversary who is constantly seeking to destroy us and make our walk as God’s children as frightening as he can make it. God knows the temptation to be afraid and that is why over 100 times in the NASB the expressions “do not fear” or “do not be afraid” are recorded. We are not to be troubled or intimidated by the forces of sin and wickedness (I Peter 3:14). Rather, our responsibility is to be courageous. What is courage? Someone once taught me that courage is being scared and doing the right thing anyway. The dictionary definition is the ability to face danger, difficulty, uncertainty, or pain without being overcome by fear or being deflected from a chosen course of action. God told Joshua in Joshua 1:7, “Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go.” We are responsible for not allowing fear to deflect us from our chosen course.
Finally, our last responsibility in Psalms 23 is to be faithful. We read in verse 6, “I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Indeed that is a promise to those who are faithful and obedient but it is also a responsibility of those who desire God’s eternal home. True Christians are not only taught, submissive, obedient, and courageous, but they are committed to remaining faithful until the end. Luke records in Acts 11:23 that when Barnabas came to Antioch to preach the gospel that he also “began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord.” We’re to be faithful even if it costs us our life (Revelation 2:10). It is only the “good and faithful slave” who will be welcomed into the “joy of your master” (Matthew 25:21).
The blessings found in Psalms 23 are indeed inspiring and comforting. The responsibilities are sobering and challenging. The responsibilities are personal. They are my responsibilities.