“Can we TRULY say that the Lord is my Shepherd, I have nothing to fear and I lack nothing at all? It is a VERY powerful statement that comes from Psalm 23, one of the most beloved and well-known passages in the Bible. This Psalm, written by King David, speaks of God’s care and protection for His people, using the picture of a shepherd and His sheep. This picture of a shepherd guiding and protecting his flock is a common one in the Bible, and it is used to illustrate how MUCH God loves and cares for His children.
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God’s care and provision…
So, I just found out that I lost my online teaching job today while I was decorating the church for VBS…and as I’m getting ready to lead our “little kiddo warriors” to learn about this Armor of God and how to fasten on TRUTH (a.k.a Jesus) like a belt around your waist, (because the belt holds all of the pieces of Armor in tact), I realized that I also needed to teach them how to STAND FIRM with the shoes of Peace. Roman soldiers would have boot like shoes that had nail head like features on the bottom of the shoes (kind of like soccer cleats). This enabled the soldier to stand firm in ANY rough or rugged terrain, WHILE fighting his enemy!
I love how God always prepares my mind FIRST by helping me prepare and teach a specific Bible lesson, and THEN go through it in my OWN life as a sort of “test”…and remember, a Good Teacher is silent during a test…to see if they TRULY LEARNED! 😊 When I taught 5th grade, I was always so tempted to help my students out if it seemed like they were struggling, but I just waited and prayed for them to remember everything they had studied and learned, and praised them for doing their BEST!
By the way, I got that idea of “A Good teacher is silent during a test” from one of my favorite ❤️ movies, ”God’s Not Dead 2” …
if you haven’t seen this movie OR any of the other 3 movies, I would HIGHLY recommend watching ALL 4 of the God’s Not Dead movie series! 🙌 📖
So, this Psalm reminds us that EVEN IN the darkest valleys, we are NOT alone, and that God IS with us every step of the way. It also speaks of the promises of God, such as His provision and His never-ending mercy and grace. By focusing on these truths, we can find comfort and strength in the midst of trials and tribulations.
God ALLOWED me to lose my job, BECAUSE He has something BETTER for me! All I have to do is TRUST Him! I don’t know exactly WHAT that is YET, but I DO know that He will continue to lead me and guide in the way that I should go…I just need to listen to HIS Voice and TRUST!
Do you know why Shepherds are so important? Let me show you a few of the things that you might not be aware of…
- Protection: Sheep are vulnerable to predators such as wolves, coyotes, and bears. A shepherd helps protect the flock from these threats.
- Guidance: Sheep can be easily led astray or become lost. A shepherd provides guidance and ensures that the flock stays together and moves in the right direction.
- Care: Shepherds provide essential care for the sheep, including ensuring they have access to food, water, and shelter.
- Health monitoring: Shepherds are responsible for monitoring the health of the sheep, identifying and treating any illnesses or injuries.
- Shearing: Shepherds oversee the shearing of the sheep’s wool, which is essential for the health and comfort of the animals.
- Lambing assistance: During lambing season, shepherds provide assistance to ewes in labor and ensure the well-being of newborn lambs.
- Management: Shepherds manage the breeding, grazing, and overall well-being of the flock to ensure its long-term sustainability.
- Predation deterrence: Shepherds help deter predators and minimize the risk of attacks on the flock.
- Knowledge and experience: Shepherds possess valuable knowledge and experience in managing and caring for sheep, ensuring their welfare and productivity.
- Relationship: Sheep are social animals and benefit from the presence of a shepherd who can establish a bond with the flock, providing a sense of security and leadership.
Relationship…that’s my favorite word from that entire list. Whatever imagery Jesus creates for us to see Him as, it’s always about our RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM!! Sheep KNOW their Shepherd’s Voice, only because that’s the only voice that they are surrounded by…during the early morning hours…during mid day…during the night…He is ALWAYS with them!
What voices are WE surrounded with?
Here is a free video that I’ve been playing for my church kiddos the past 2 months, while God has prompted me to teach about young David being a shepherd to his sheep…little did I know that I needed this JUST as much as THEY did!
King David wrote Psalm 23, who was a shepherd before he became a king. This psalm is part of a collection of psalms which was used in worship by the ancient Israelites.
David wrote this psalm during a time of great trial and difficulty. He was facing enemies and danger, BUT he trusted in the Lord to protect and guide him. The imagery of a shepherd and his sheep was familiar to David and his audience, and it conveys a sense of security and care that is deeply comforting.
The picture of a shepherd and his sheep is used throughout the psalm to show the Lord’s care and protection. The valley of the shadow of death is a powerful metaphor for the trials and difficulties we face in life, but we need not fear because the Lord is with us. The final verse is a beautiful affirmation of faith, IF we choose Jesus as our Shepherd, declaring that goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives, and we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever!
Still waters…
In Psalm 23, the Lord is seen as a shepherd who cares for his sheep. This picture is particularly powerful because it conveys a sense of protection, guidance, and provision. As a shepherd, the Lord is responsible for leading his flock to green pastures and STILL waters, providing them with food and water, and protecting them from harm. Sheep are too skittish to drink from ANYthing but STILL waters…their shepherd knows that! They NEED those STILL waters…
Be STILL and know that I AM God! I will be honored by every nation…I will be honored throughout the world! Psalm 46:10
The imagery of the shepherd also conveys a sense of intimacy and love. A good shepherd knows his sheep by name and is WILLING to lay down his life for them. Similarly, the Lord knows each of us intimately and loves us unconditionally. He is willing to guide us, protect us, and provide for us, no matter what.
In the same way, the Lord cares for us as his sheep. He guides us through life, providing us with everything we need. He protects us from harm and searches for us when we are lost. The Lord is the ultimate caregiver, providing us with love, comfort, and reassurance.
The Lord’s guidance is like a light that illuminates my path, showing me the way forward. I trust in His wisdom and follow His lead, knowing that He will never steer me wrong. In times of uncertainty, I can turn to the Lord for guidance and protection. With Him by my side, I know that I can navigate life’s challenges with confidence and strength.
I’ve always loved Ruth Chou Simons devotional books, and in her book Pilgrim, she says, that as a follower of Christ we live each day as a pilgrim, traveling the path Jesus sets before us. Even though the road may be rocky, God provides reminders along the way to show us that He writes our story, paves our path, and walks with us always. She has beautiful art work displayed on every page!! I HIGHLY recommend this book as a Pastor’s wife and sister in Jesus!
Eternal Assurance
Another promise that brings me great comfort is the assurance of eternal life. In Psalm 23:6, it says, “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.” This promise reminds me that my life on earth is temporary, but my eternity with God is secure. It also speaks to the goodness and mercy of God that will never leave me.
As I reflect on these promises, I am reminded that God is faithful and true to his word. I can trust in Him COMPLETELY and find peace and comfort in His presence…
He WILL lead me to where I should go next, one day at a time!
Keep trusting Him, my friends, and joyfully pass it on!
