Day 1

The Lord Is My Shepherd

from the Psalms of Rest reading plan


Psalm 23:1-6

BY She Reads Truth

Psalm 23 speaks to my heart—green pastures, quiet waters, right paths. I am an outdoorsy person by nature. I’d much rather get lost in the woods, alone with my thoughts, the trees, and the breeze, than be in any city. So, as I read these familiar verses, I want to go outside, to be witness to the goodness and beauty of the natural world. It also occurs to me that I have something in common with sheep—we can both get lost without hardly trying.

Some years ago, I read about a Merino sheep in New Zealand named Shrek. He had wandered away from his flock and his shepherd and gotten lost. For six years, he lived in nearby caves, eating what he could find and avoiding the shearer’s blade. When Shrek was finally found, his wool weighed sixty pounds, and the raw weight of twenty men’s suits on his back was threatening his life. He had trouble walking, and his breathing was labored. He needed his shepherd. So do we.

Shepherds take care of sheep—plural—but in this psalm, the relationship is between one sheep and his Shepherd. It’s personal, much more intimate. “The LORD is my shepherd” (v.1, emphasis mine). These words are from David, but I can’t help but read them as my own. I think we were meant to, each one of us. The Lord is my Shepherd. He guides me, provides for me, protects me from my enemies.

I don’t need to worry. “I have what I need” (v.1). I don’t need to struggle or strive. “He lets me lie down in green pastures” (v.2). Weariness does not have the final say. “He renews my life.” And I won’t ever get lost. (Not really, anyway.) “He leads me along the right paths for his name’s sake” (v.3). It is only because the Shepherd is so good that I can be still and rest, that I can have true peace.

I could be happy for eternity being a beloved lamb of the Good Shepherd, but Psalm 23 doesn’t leave us as sheep. A shift occurs in verse 5. David begins to address God directly—the song becomes a prayer of thanksgiving. Not only that, but the pastoral imagery is replaced by a banquet scene. You and I have become honored guests of the King.

The table is set, and though my enemies might rage just outside, none of that matters (v.5). I am in the house of my Maker, the One who knows me and loves me better than anyone else. But the best part? I’m not just a guest. I get to stay in His presence forever—”as long as I live” (v.6), though the Hebrew phrase that’s been translated doesn’t limit this time to my natural lifespan. It has all come full circle—”I have what I need,” because I have the One I was created to know and love.

Post Comments (1001)

1,001 thoughts on "The Lord Is My Shepherd"

  1. PamC says:

    Thank y’all for the prayers. They comfort me greatly. I’m praying for you as well.
    This Psalm is such a comfort for me. My grandmother taught it to me. “Surely, goodness & mercy will follow me all the days of my life..” we’re my grandmother, sister, & nanny to my 5 year old mind. It is the Psalm I was praying over my mom. It is pure comfort.

  2. Ashlynn Wood says:

    ❤️

  3. Katie L says:

    Thank you, all you She’s, for your added insight into each devotional, it makes my study time so much richer.

    Thank you all so much for keeping me and my family in your prayers! I have such peace about the situation and really don’t have any reason to – but God!!

    Lynne from AL – thank you for your kind words! The knowledge that God loves my son even more than I do and that He is there and sees all even when I can’t be has gotten me through some of the roughest parts of our journey!! Thank you for that reminder ❤️

    Michelle – I will be holding you and your mom up in prayer – I can only imagine the grief she is experiencing and how hard it must be for you to have to see someone you love go through it! Thank you for sharing so we can come alongside you ❤️

    Sarah – that is the worst feeling when you’ve been doing your best at something and someone is critical! Hope your interview went well and you can feel confident in your abilities and in the plan the Lord has for you. May you let anything not of Him roll right off and rest in His provision!

    Sharie – so nice to meet you! ❤️ thank you for sharing!

  4. Cee Gee says:

    SHARIE – It’s so nice to meet you and hear from a sheep expert! Congratulations on a fresh and healthy relationship and kudos for the many years you tried in the previous relationship. Sounds like you could write a book or few with all the experiences you are living!

  5. Donna Wolcott says:

    Hi Sharie, I’m glad you popped in to say hi. My daughter lives in Sheridan (going out there next week), and last year when I was up in the Big Horns, I witnessed a shepherd. I was at a church camping weekend with her family. At first it was the sound and as I looked out the shear number of sheep was amazing. Walking amongst the 100’s was a lone shepherd. This psalm immediately came to mind. This sheep needs her Shepherd every day. Sisters have a wonderful week.

  6. Sharie says:

    Good afternoon! This is my 4th SRT study and other than one question either late in the “Rest” study or early in the “Lenten” study, I have just walked alongside studying, reading and praying quietly, and in that quiet following, you have all become my friends. I have come to look forward to each day’s readings and everyone’s comments! With Heidi’s prompt to connect on Instagram (which I don’t really understand), I followed a few of you so thought I better introduce myself on this first day of a new study.

    I have been a Wyoming “cowgirl” for the past 40+ years (grew up in Tucson). I am divorced from an abusive spouse (stayed 30 years)and now happily remarried to a wonderful, loving, supportive man – we celebrated our 5 year anniversary in February. We ranch – 200+ mother cows – and we own a flooring store (flooring, cabinets, remodels, etc) and a countertop fabrication shop in a town about 40 miles from the ranch (with a satellite store in Rapid City, SD). I am basically the GM, HR, Bookkeeper and Project Manager for our Stone Shop and help on the ranch as needed. Fortunately, I get to work from home with only an occasional trip to one of the stores to provide support/assistance. We have 7 kids between us and 14 grandchildren.

    In my first marriage, we ran sheep for a few years – 2000+ head. Scriptural references to sheep always make me smile as I reflect on my experiences. Sheep absolutely need a shepherd – so thankful we have THE GOOD SHEPHERD and that He knows ME and calls ME by name (Jn 10); sheep are not the brightest animals and are determined to follow other sheep, even to their detriment/death-it is not necessarily a compliment when we are called sheep; wool sheep must be sheared or they will overheat and die – great analogy in today’s devotion; sheep truly do know their shepherd’s voice – the shepherd’s voice instills quiet contentment and peace, while a stranger’s voice agitates and scatters the flock.

    I hope to find time to participate more in the future but for now, know there is a SHE in Wyoming, following along and lifting you all up in prayer.

  7. Kimberly Z says:

    @Sarah D. Praying for your interview and all the doubts you’re facing! You’re meant to go through this trial and I know God will prevail. Sometimes people get uncomfortable and their first line of defense is to say the things you’re doing wrong. Hang in there ! I’m praying your interview goes well! Happy Monday ladies.

  8. Kimberly Z says:

    @Sarah D. Praying for your interview and all

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