Sunday, 6/8/2025
- Becky Carriker
- Jun 11
- 5 min read
The Lord is My Shepherd: Understanding Psalm 23 in a New Light
Sometimes we become so familiar with certain scriptures that we miss their deeper meaning. Psalm 23 is perhaps one of the most well-known passages in the Bible, recited at countless services and memorized by children in Sunday school. But what if we approached this beloved psalm with fresh eyes?
Can the Lord Truly Be "My" Shepherd?
"The Lord is my shepherd." This simple phrase carries profound meaning. The Lord can be possessional - not in the sense that we can buy or earn Him, but that He can be personally ours when we give our lives to Jesus Christ. He changes us from the inside out and makes us new each day.
John 10:14-16 reminds us: "I am the good shepherd, and I know my sheep and am known by my own, as the Father knows me. Even so I know the Father, and I lay down my life for the sheep."
Can you truly quote that verse and say that the Lord is your shepherd? Paul encourages us to test our faith to make sure we're in Christ. We need to understand what God is trying to do in our lives rather than forcing our plans on God.
What Does "I Shall Not Want" Really Mean?
"I shall not want" doesn't mean we won't have desires, but rather that we won't lack anything we truly need. Philippians 4:19 promises, "My God shall supply all of my needs according to His riches in glory." Not some needs, not most needs - all needs.
We have countless blessings from God, but these aren't given to be stored up in a bank account or saved for a rainy day. They're given to be used to glorify Him.
Green Pastures and Still Waters: What Are They?
"He makes me to lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters."
Sheep are not intelligent animals. They need to be led, guided, and directed. They cannot be driven like cattle or horses - if you try to drive sheep, they'll run in fear. Similarly, we need the gentle guidance of our Shepherd.
What are the green pastures of our spiritual life? They represent the Word of God. We need to dive into Scripture and let it dive into us. The still waters represent the peace and refreshment that only God can provide.
Notice the verbs: "He makes me" and "He leads me." The Shepherd takes the initiative. Our role is to follow.
How Does God Restore Our Souls?
"He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake."
Think about restoration like those TV shows where they take old, abandoned cars and make them roadworthy again. Every day, we need spiritual restoration - a fresh breath from the Lord. We need to be in a place where we can be led by Him, want to be led by Him, and be restored by Him daily.
The path of righteousness is narrow and difficult to walk. There's another way that's broader and easier, but it leads to destruction. Many of us have walked that destructive path, but Jesus leads us down the narrow path because He is the way, the truth, and the life.
Why Shouldn't We Fear the Valley of Death?
"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."
Notice it says "walk" - not run, not skip, not meander. We walk step by step, day by day, being led by our Savior. Many of us rush through life without noticing where we've been, but when we walk with the Shepherd, we need not fear.
Also notice it's the "shadow" of death, not death itself. Where there's a shadow, there must be light. Jesus has conquered death, hell, and the grave - He is risen! For believers, death is just a shadow because the light of Christ has overcome it. As Paul wrote, "to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord."
The shepherd's rod and staff represent protection and guidance. They're tools to keep us safe and to rescue us when we stray.
What Does It Mean to Have a Table Prepared Before Our Enemies?
"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My cup runs over."
There will be a day when every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. The question is: Will you be there rejoicing, or will you be an enemy of God?
Within our churches today, there are many sheep being nurtured, led, and fed with living water. But Scripture warns there are also wolves in sheep's clothing. Many will say, "Lord, Lord, have I not prophesied in Your name? Cast out demons in Your name?" But they missed the most important part - being saved through the blood of Jesus Christ.
Can We Really Dwell in God's House Forever?
"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."
Just as a child has a key to their parents' home because they belong there, believers have access to God's house. We don't just visit - we dwell there forever. How long is forever? It's eternal.
Charles Spurgeon beautifully summarized Psalm 23: "David compares himself to a creature weak, defenseless, and foolish. And he takes God to be his provider, preserver, director, and indeed his everything."
Life Application
Is God your everything today? Can you honestly say that if all else fails in your life, God has you? Is He your provider, protector, sustainer, and the one who restores your soul?
Here are some questions to reflect on this week:
In what areas of my life am I not fully trusting God as my shepherd?
Am I regularly spending time in the "green pastures" of God's Word?
Where do I need restoration in my life right now?
Am I walking through my valleys, or trying to run through them in my own strength?
How can I better share the goodness of my Shepherd with others who don't know Him?
This week, challenge yourself to truly live as though the Lord is your shepherd. Let Him lead you rather than trying to forge your own path. Take time daily to be restored by His Word and presence. And remember - there will never be peace on earth until the Prince of Peace returns, but we can have peace in our lives because the Lord is our shepherd.
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