The Lord, Our Shepherd, and King of Glory

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Psalm 23-24

 

Psalm 24:10

Who is this King of glory?
The Lord of hosts,
He is the King of glory. Selah

(NKJV)

 

We live in a world of chaos and confusion. The chaos of violence in schools and churches, places where people should go with safety and security. There is confusion with people, even young children asked to question the gender they were born with, enduring mutilating and irreversible surgery to change genders. We are to question the traditional family of a man and woman getting married and having children, and instead support same-sex marriage. We are also asked to support the murder of the unborn out of convenience. This world is in desperate need of the good Shepherd and King of glory, Jesus Christ.

 

Psalm 23 is familiar to many who are reading this and provides a powerful picture of Jesus, the good Shepherd, from David, who was the shepherd of his father’s sheep. It begins with David declaring the Lord is his shepherd with him lacking nothing (Psalm 23:1). The good Shepherd leads David to the abundance of green pastures and the peace of still waters (Psalm 23:2). David finds restoration for his soul and a path of righteousness for the good Shepherd’s Name’s sake (Psalm 23:3). Even when facing death, David has no fear because the good Shepherd is there to bring comfort (Psalm 23:4). The good Shepherd provides David with abundance, goodness, mercy and an eternity in the presence of the Lord (Psalm 23:5-6).

 

In Psalm 24, David declares that the earth belongs to the Lord for He established it (Psalm 24:1-2). David then asks who can ascend to the hill of the Lord and stand in His holy place, answering his question with one who has clean hands, a pure heart, not worshipping idols, or swearing deceitfully (Psalm 24:3-4). This person shall receive blessing and righteousness from the Lord, with David declaring that this is Jacob, the generation who seeks the Lord (Psalm 24:5-6). David tells the gates and doors of the city to open and let the King of glory in, asking who this King of glory is, answering with the Lord strong and mighty in battle (Psalm 24:7-8). David again tells the gates and doors of the city to open for the King of glory, asking again who this King of glory is, answering with the Lord of hosts (Psalm 24:9-10).

 

In Psalm 23, David offers praise to the Lord as his good Shepherd. Psalm 23 is familiar to many reading this because it is often read at funerals due to its reference to walking through the shadow of death. However, only reading this psalm when remembering someone who has passed away limits its application in our lives. The psalm reminds us of the Lord’s provision, green pastures, peace, still waters, restoration of the soul, and being led down the paths of righteousness (Psalm 23:1-3). It is a reminder that the Lord is with us, so we do not need to fear, and of the Lord’s corrective rod and staff that does not have the purpose of condemning us but of giving comfort. The Lord’s goodness and mercy are there to follow us in this life, with us having the hope of eternity in the house of the Lord (Psalm 23:4-6).

 

In Psalm 24, David praises the Lord as the mighty King of glory. The earth is the Lord’s, with David asking who is worthy to ascend into the hill of the Lord and stand in His holy place. The answer is one who is righteous who will receive a blessing from the Lord. While David says this is Jacob, or Israel, Israel has a history of rebellion throughout its history, with David himself having a history of rebellion against God with his sin of adultery and murder (2 Samuel 11). The truth is that David is not speaking of the nation of Israel or himself but of a coming King of Glory, Jesus Christ, who would be spotless and without sin, willing to die for our sins (2 Corinthians 5:21).

 

We must ask ourselves if we can offer praise to the Lord as our good Shepherd and King of glory in both the good and bad times of life. The Lord, our good Shepherd, is there with us to provide for our needs and give us peace, even when circumstances look bleak and dire. When we, as sheep, are disobedient and in need of correction, the good Shepherd does not beat the sheep with His rod and staff but provides correction that gives comfort and security.

 

Do we praise God as the King of glory when things in the world in which we live is in chaos or do we question why the Lord would allow the earth which belongs to Him to be in such a state (Psalm 24:1). Do we understand that the world is in the state it is in due to sin that entered the world in the Garden of Eden? Do we also understand that when Adam and Eve sinned, God promised a deliverer who would come and bruise the serpent's head (Genesis 3:15), and that this deliverer is the King of glory, Jesus Christ? When we believe in Jesus as our savior in our hearts, we have a hope of eternity with the Lord, like David had. If you are reading this and do not have this hope, I invite you to pray with me to have this assurance.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

For those who just prayed, this is a good beginning, and I encourage you to find a local Church that teaches the Bible as the Word of God so you are equipped with knowledge, empowered to serve God, and encouraged by other believers. May God convict, challenge, and comfort those reading this post.