Psalm 23 is probably one of the most well-known passages of Scripture. Psalm 23 is read regularly at funerals reminding Jesus followers of His promised comfort in this life, and His eternal promise of peace in heaven.
When I first learned about Psalm 23 it had nothing to do with a funeral. Psalm 23 was painted not as a picture of dying and death, but rather living and life. Psalm 23 was a picture of the abundant life Jesus came to bring.
We don’t often look at Psalm 23 through the lens of the Good Shepherd, but I want to invite you to read it that way today, and to read it as a livable reality for the here and now.
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,[a]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 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.
We’ll spend the next couple of days working through this Psalm. Today, we’ll just look at the truth of the first line. “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.”
Jesus is your Good Shepherd. Because He is your Good Shepherd, you lack nothing. Say it aloud, “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.” One more time, “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.”
We believe these truths are true. What do you believe?
Reflection:
1. In what ways do you view Psalm 23 as a livable reality for her and now?
2. How do you resist the temptation to believe that you somehow lack?
3. “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.” How might you fully live into this truth today?
Pray through the truth of Psalm 23.
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,[a]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 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.
