The LORD is My Shepherd

Psalm 23 NKJV

A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 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 runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.

Shepherd and Sheep Imagery

Psalm 100:3 We are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.

Ezekiel 34:31 (NKJV) “You are My flock, the flock of My pasture, you are men, and I am your God.”

Ezekiel 34:23 The LORD will establish one Shepherd over His people.

Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray (Isaiah 53:6).

Hebrews 13:20 Jesus is called the Great Shepherd (Hebrews 13:20).

1 Peter 2:25 Peter calls Jesus the Shepherd and Guardian of our Souls.

1 Peter 5:4 Peter calls Jesus the Chief Shepherd.

Matthew 10:6 Jesus sent His disciples to reach the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Matthew 9:35-38 Jesus saw the multitudes as “sheep without a Shepherd”.

John 10:1-18 Jesus calls Himself the Good Shepherd.

He is the door of the sheep.

He calls His sheep by name.

He leads His sheep and goes before them

His sheep know His voice, hear His voice, and follow Him.

His sheep will not follow the voice of a stranger but will flee from him.

He is gathering other lost sheep along the way.

Jesus lays down His life for the sheep.

Psalm 23:1 David calls Him, “My Shepherd”.

The LORD is My Shepherd

He is my Source for everything: “I shall not want.”

He is my Source of rest: “He makes me to lie down in green pastures.”

He is my Source of refreshing: “He leads me beside the still waters.”

He is my Source of restoration: “He restores my soul.”

He is my Source of guidance: “He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.”

He is my Source of assurance, comfort, and protection in difficult times: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for you are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”

He is my Source of provision: “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.”

He is my Source of healing: “You anoint my head with oil.”

He is my Source of joy: “My cup runs over.”

Poem: “Drinking from the Saucer” by John Paul Moore

He is the Source of my natural blessings on earth: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.”

He is the Source of my eternal blessings in heaven: “And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”

Jesus, our Shepherd, is leading us all as His sheep home to His Father’s house.

John 14:6 NKJV

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Response to the Word

Are you a lost sheep? Jesus has come to seek and save the lost.

Are you struggling with needs in your life? Jesus is the Source of all you need.

Will you hear the voice of the Good Shepherd today and follow Him?