Psalm 23

I have felt a tug on my heart to discuss this wonderful chapter in the Bible that is very well known to a lot of people, but not necessarily understood. Knowing is wonderful, BUT, memorization is not understanding! So get comfy and let's get into it!

Psalm 23:1 says,

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want."

Our Shepherd. Why does the Bible use a shepherd for an example? Shepherds lead their sheep. Jesus does the same with us. He guides us as we go throughout this life. Through the confusion, suffering, and heartbreak He protects us. He is our portion and everything we need as we go through the struggles of this life, so as His sheep we should not need anything else besides Him. If you have Jesus, you have everything.

Psalm 23:2 says,

"He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters."

He provides and gives us rest. As our good Shepherd we can know that He will provide all that we need in this life including our joy, peace and contentment.

He also gives us peace. Though there are crazy things going on in this world, we can rest knowing that Jesus is our true source of all that we need. Everyday, we can have peace because our Savior keeps us safe in the palms of His hands.

Psalm 23:3-4 says,

"He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Even 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 brings the wandering and troubled back to Him. Like us, sheep wonder off when they take their eyes off their shepherd. But we can find comfort in knowing that He brings the ones who have gone astray back to Him.

He leads us to paths full of wisdom and righteousness for His glory. He keeps us from paths that will lead us astray from Him, or from paths that are not full of righteousness and truth.

We need not fear life's darkest trials, because Jesus' peace, comfort, love, and guidance is always there. He is always protecting us from evil, and is always guiding us to the right places.

Psalm 23:5 says,

"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows."

He protects us through difficulties, and shows us His' power and glory through it.

He heals our pain and gives us unexplainable joy, abundance, and blessing.

Psalm 23:6 says,

"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

His goodness and love will always follow us into eternity. What a beautiful truth, that through every single second, He is always pouring His goodness, mercy and love down on us, His sheep, through the sacrifice of our good Shepherd, Jesus!

To close todays devotional, we can live our lives knowing that,

• He is our shepherd.

• He is everything we need.

• He gives us peace.

• When we are wandering and going astray, Jesus will always lead us back to Him.

• He leads us to paths of righteousness for His glory.

• We don't have to fear lives darkest trails because Jesus' peace, comfort, love, and guidance is always there.

• He protects us through difficulties.

• He heals our pain and gives us so much blessing, joy, and abundance.

• His goodness and love will always follow us into eternity.

What a gift it is to have a shepherd like Jesus!

Come get your faith in five.