Psalm 23 is a well-known psalm. We actually have this scripture framed and hanging in our bedroom. Sometimes the more frequently we see a Bible verse, the more likely we are to skim it rather than allowing it to transform the way we think. In this devotion we’re going to dig into Psalm 23 and gain understanding of what it means for the Lord to be our shepherd.
What can we learn from David as a shepherd?
Psalm 23 was written by David, a shepherd boy with the gift of worship and bold faith. The Lord anointed him as king. This psalm was likely written when David was king, and he was reflecting on his younger years as a shepherd.
When David was a shepherd, he told Saul this about his experience in 1 Samuel 17:34-36, “I have been taking care of my father’s sheep and goats. When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock, I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death. I have done this to both lions and bears…”
(Spoiler alert: David says this just before taking down Goliath with God’s strength. It’s an incredible account in the Bible. Check it out in 1 Samuel 17.)
David teaches us that the role of a shepherd is both dangerous and critical. Without the guidance and protection of a shepherd, the sheep and goats would’ve been stolen from the flock one by one by lions and bears. When we look at David’s experience as a shepherd, it helps us understand how he relates to the Lord as his shepherd.
Who is the Lord as my shepherd?
Let’s dig into Psalm 23.
“The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.”
A good shepherd is aware of all the needs and desires of his flock. He knows the flocks needs better than the animals themselves do. He knows what they’ve already been through, where they are currently, and what is up ahead. He knows any potential threats on the land and each sheep’s tendencies. His knowledge enables him to provide everything necessary to keep them healthy, safe, and satisfied.
Since we live in a sinful world, we are prone to wander. We are tempted by this world, the enemy of our souls, and our fleshly desires. We get distracted by what we see as “greener pastures.” Greener pastures can show up in our lives as discontentment or turning from God’s desire for our life.
When I’m struggling with discontentment, I find myself constantly dissatisfied and thinking about my “wants.” When I start to turn from God’s desire for my life, I feel the gentle nudge of my shepherd urging me to stay close to His protection.
For example, God asks me not to watch love-based reality tv shows because they lead me to setting unrealistic expectations in my marriage. When I see a show advertised, my flesh wants to watch it, but I choose to be disciplined because I know my shepherd is guiding me in what’s best for me.
God doesn’t urge me to stay with His flock because he’s keeping me from something better. He does it because He knows what I’ve been through, where I’m at now, and what’s ahead. He wants to keep me near so he can provide everything I need, including rest in a comfortable space and fresh, safe resources.
The key to living surrendered in this area is Matthew 6:33: “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” When we keep our eyes on God, we live in full faith and contentment that our shepherd is providing all that we need.
“He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.”
The tender care and protection by the shepherd restores the flock’s strength. He guides his flock along the right paths for the well-being of the flock, but also because his reputation as a good shepherd depends on it.
Jesus says in Matthew 11:28 & 30, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Do you ever feel weary? Or like you don’t have strength to move forward? That was how I felt in the middle of the pandemic.
If I’m being honest, I had reached a point of apathy. There were so many problems, I felt like I couldn’t handle or care about them all. So I ended up just shutting down instead, which definitely doesn’t honor our shepherd and isn’t the path He was inviting me on.
During that time, I went to a women’s worship night and a worship leader shared that God was showing her a picture of a woman holding a bunch of moving boxes. The boxes were various sizes and stacked super tall. The person was struggling to hold them all and God was inviting that person to hand the boxes to Him.
That’s the perfect picture of God’s yoke being easy and His burden light. We think we need to do all the things in our life on our own, but that’s not the heart of our shepherd. The Lord wants us to cast our cares on Him, big and small. He wants us to do life with Him at the center, guiding each step.
When we live for God, our daily activities aren’t a burden. They’re an opportunity to walk His right path with renewed strength.
“Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.”
The shepherd knows the land and the best route to take. From the flock’s perspective, the location and terrain may look scary, but they choose to trust their shepherd. The shepherd always cares for and protects them.
The same is true with God as he leads us through our lives. The scripture that has carried me through the toughest seasons of my life is James 1:2-4. It says, “Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.”
What that means to me is walk through the darkest valley (or trial) in your life with joy and hope. God hasn’t abandoned you. He is not surprised by the things coming up in your life. It may be a tough season, but He will use it to draw you closer to himself.
Your shepherd is guiding you, protecting you, and comforting you. He has all the tools, knowledge, and perspective to keep you safe, but He’s too good to take you on an easy path that doesn’t draw you closer to Him. At the end of the trial, you will emerge more mature in your faith and with even more trust in your shepherd.
“You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.”
God desires us to dine with Him in every season. Regardless of our circumstances, He has a table prepared for us and wants to honor and bless us. Here’s the key, we have to take our focus off the enemies surrounding us and choose to dine with God.
There are the known enemies and those hiding in the surroundings we can’t see yet. Take inventory of where you’re at in life. What are your greatest enemies? It doesn’t have to be a person.
Right now, I think my greatest enemies are distraction, pride, and impatience. God wants my eyes on him during the feast He’s prepared for me, but instead I’m distracted by a person’s opinion of me and social media. God wants my eyes on him, but instead I’m focused on myself. God wants my eyes on him, but instead I’m being impatient with my daughter.
Those are the enemies I can see, but since the enemy of our souls (Satan) is prowling looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8), I know there are hidden enemies too. I believe the key with hidden enemies is choosing not to live in fear. We need to choose to have faith in the protection and guidance of our shepherd.
When we choose to dine with God, during the toughest circumstances in front of our enemies, God honors us, and He is glorified. He fills us to the point of overflowing. That’s the life I want to live, with my eyes focused on God and unmoved by any surroundings. It’s worth the discipline.
“Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.”
The shepherd pursues, protects, and is always present. His flock has confidence in that.
When you feel troubled by this world in any way, you can come to this scripture and find rest. The King of Kings and Lord of Lords is your shepherd and He pursues you, protects you, and is always with you. You can have confidence in that.
God’s goodness and unfailing love will pursue you all the days of your life and by accepting Jesus you will live in the house of the Lord forever. There’s no better place to be.
If you need a scripture to remind you of God’s goodness, this an incredible verse to memorize. Consider writing it on sticky notes around your house.
You are a shepherd
In the same way the Lord is your shepherd, He equips you to be a shepherd.
In your home, you provide your family’s needs. You care for them and protect them. They follow your guidance and trust you to do what’s best for them. When they stray away from safety or what’s best for them, you pursue them and rejoice when they turn back.
The Lord also surrounds you with friends, neighbors, and coworkers that He may be inviting you to shepherd in some way. If someone you’re close to is having a hard time, you could provide them Biblical encouragement or support them with food or supplies.
Shepherding in our home and within our sphere of influence is an incredible way to represent Jesus in this world. There will be times when we mess up, especially with our children, but we just need to repent and ask God to continue guiding us in shepherding our flock.
Prayer
Lord, thank you that you are our good shepherd. Thank you that you pursue us, keep us safe, and guide us through our lives. Forgive us for when we’ve chosen to walk toward what looked like a greener pasture. Thank you for bringing us back to the flock.
Please show us what it looks like to be good shepherds in our homes and communities. Help us to understand how we can pursue, protect, and guide our flocks. We want to look more like you every day and care for people as well as you care for us.
Thank you, Lord, that your mercy toward us never ends. Help us to pour out onto others the abundant love you pour into us. We love you, Lord. In Jesus name we pray, amen.
Do you feel like you’re currently lost, not with Jesus’s flock? Check out the gospel message.
I would love to be praying for you! Please let me know how I can be praying here.