The Lord is my Best Friend and Shepherd...Psalm 23:1
The Good Shepherd, oil painting by Lee Boynton
Psalm 23 -- The anointed words of this familiar, much beloved psalm, were penned by David, a shepherd boy tending his sheep on the back side of the desert. They are as alive today as when they first burned and pounded in David's heart, begging to be released. Think of the thousands upon thousands of anxious, grieving hearts this psalm have soothed and comforted over the generations.
Jesus is the Good Shepherd. We are His well-tended sheep. He leaves the 99 to find the one that is lost.
The Story Behind the Painting:
Nick Boucher, the young man who posed for this painting, had been raised under challenging circumstances. His mother, a single parent, was a drug addict. Nick fell into this same dark pit when he was in his early teens. But the Good Shepherd found him. The word mouth is "bouche" in French. Nick's Savior and Lord -- the Lover of His Soul --holds and kisses him with His perfect, intimate love every day -- with the kisses of His mouth, that is with His Word!
Psalm23 The Passion Translation
The Lord is my Best Friend and my Shepherd.
I always have more than enough.
He offers a resting place for me in his luxurious love.
His tracks take me to an oasis of peace, the quiet brook of bliss.
That's where he restores and revives my life.
He opens before me pathways to God's pleasure,
and leads me along in his footsteps of righteousness
so that I can honor his name.
Lord, even when your path takes me through
the valley of deepest darkness,
fear will never conquer me, for you already have!
You remain close to me and lead me through it all the way.
Your authority is my strength and my peace.
The comfort of your love takes away my fear.
I'll never be lonely, for you are near.
You become my delicious feast
even when my enemies dare to fight.
You anoint me with the fragrance of your Holy Spirit;
you give me all I can drink of you until my heart overflows.
So why would I fear the future?
For I'm being pursued only by your goodness and unfailing love.
Then afterwards -- when my life is through,
I'll return to your glorious presence to be forever with you!