“The Lord is My Shepherd” - Psalm 23 (Day 1)
"The Lord is my shepherd...." Hold on...did you catch yourself rattling off the rest of this Psalm without even thinking? You're not alone. Psalm 23 stands as one of the most well-known, often quoted, and frequently memorized pieces of Scripture in the entire Bible. If the Bible had a soundtrack, this passage would likely be the first track. Its comforting words have brought hope and courage to countless individuals wrestling with grief, sorrow, and trials - and rightfully so.
Yet, our familiarity with this passage can have adverse effects over time. Because we can recite it, we think we "know" it, and as a result, we lose sight of the beautiful implications and insight Psalm 23 provides on God's character and His love, care, and faithfulness to us. The miracle of God being our shepherd becomes mundane - and we end up taking it for granted.
So, before we begin our journey through Psalm 23, I want to provide space for you to pray and ask that, in His grace, God would provide you with fresh eyes and a receptive heart - that through this experience, it would be as if you were reading it for the very first time. So right now, take a moment to pray!
Psalm 23 says this:
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil,
for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Before becoming King of Israel, David, the author of Psalm 23, spent his days caring for his flock as a young shepherd boy. This was a lowly, vulnerable, and thankless job that was always given to the youngest son. David knew this job well. So, drawing from his experience in the field, David wrote today's passage to provide us with a glimpse into God's heart. As he meditated on his relationship with God, David used a metaphor seen throughout the Bible that was much more intimate and personal than 'king,' 'deliverer,' or 'creator.'
Those descriptions projected distance and reverence while a shepherd lived amongst his flock and served as their guide, protector, and caregiver. Sheep weren't wild animals; they belonged to a shepherd who tended to their well-being. In John 10, Jesus carries on this imagery to its most profound level by referring to Himself as the Good Shepherd who would give His life for His sheep. Jesus knows us, cares for us, protects us, and watches over us.
With this picture in our minds, let's read Psalm 23 once again. As you read this Psalm slowly, I encourage you to pay close attention to the shepherd imagery and the care Jesus provides as our Good Shepherd.
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil,
for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Take a moment to reflect on what you just read:
What stood out to you and captured your attention in this Psalm? In what ways is God described as a shepherd in this Psalm?
The inclusion of a single word can make a significant impact. David didn't say that the Lord was a shepherd to the WORLD - one who cares for the MULTITUDES or guides the FLOCK along the path. No, for David, it was more personal. The kindness and care David experienced caused him to proclaim, "the Lord is MY shepherd."
The Lord is my Shepherd! That’s a beautiful idea, but what if it is true? What if God wants to be your shepherd? What if God desires to provide for you, protect you, and pursue you with His goodness and mercy all the days of your life? If all this is true, then these truths should affect our realities. How we relate to God influences how we think about everything else. David recognized He needed a shepherd, and so must we. If God is our shepherd, then we don’t have to be. To live as one of His sheep, we must submit and trust His leadership, guidance, and goodness.
So, as we begin to wrap up our time together, we want to provide you some space to respond to what we read and maybe to what God is starting to say to you through Psalm 23. First, take a moment to process this question…WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS OF GOD BEING “YOUR” SHEPHERD?
Another question to consider is this…HOW CAN YOU POSTURE YOURSELF THIS WEEK AND BE RECEPTIVE TO GOD'S GUIDANCE AND CARE?
PRAYER
Father God,
thank you for being a loving shepherd who guides and protects me.
I'm helpless and vulnerable without You.
Help me to hear and trust Your voice so I can follow Your lead. Amen.