The Good Shepherd
Scripture Reading
Psalms 23:1-6 ESV A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. [2] He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. [3] He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. [4] 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. [5] You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. [6] Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Daily Devotions
Monday: Recognizing the Identity of the Good Shepherd
Today's Verse: I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for His sheep. (John 10:11)
Reflection Jesus is the Good Shepherd who willingly gives His life for His sheep. He is the one who provides the necessary guidance in our lives. He is known by the Hebrew name Yahweh Raah, which means God is my shepherd. The responsibility of a shepherd is high; it concerns the well-being and livelihood of the flock. We must look to Him as the one who fulfills that vital, guiding role for us.
Life Application Acknowledge that He is the one who watches over your well-being and livelihood. Trust in the guidance He provides daily, knowing that He is your personal Shepherd.
Prayer points
Pray to recognize Him as my Shepherd, Yahweh Raah.
Pray for help in trusting His guidance and following Him.
Tuesday: Finding Provision and Satisfaction in Him
Today's Verse: 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. (Psalm 23:1)
Reflection He provides lavishly for His people. The shepherd feeds His people in peaceful green pastures. He refreshes and cools them with water from a quiet stream. He provides so well that His people lack nothing and are completely satisfied. This profound satisfaction comes because His people know Him and call Him their shepherd, and He knows them too.
Life Application Be satisfied with His provision and remember that He cares for us lavishly, not only in eternity but while we are here. Seek to know Him well, just as He knows us. Be open to receiving His lavish love.
Prayer points
Pray for a deepened relationship so I may know Him well.
Pray for trust in His provision, believing that I shall not want.
Pray for an open heart to receive His love daily.
Wednesday: Reflecting on the Humility of the Savior
Today's Verse: For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:11)
Reflection God chose to share the glory of Christ’s birth with humble shepherds. These were men tending their sheep in the field at night, engaged in a highly responsible task. When an angel appeared, they were overwhelmed with great fear, but the angel brought good news of great joy for all people, not just a select few. Jesus is the essence of humility in His coming, moving from the shepherds in the field to a humble stable and humble parents. He is the Savior, Christ the Lord, in the heritage line of David.
Additional Scripture
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. (Luke 2:8)
And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. (Luke 2:9)
Life Application Remember that God values the humble, choosing to show His glory to the lowly shepherds. Testify to what has been witnessed concerning Jesus. Treasure the things He reveals, pondering them in your heart.
Prayer points
Pray for a humble heart, recognizing His glory.
Pray for the opportunity and courage to testify to others about Him.
Thursday: The Necessity of Restoration and Repentance
Today's Verse: He restores my soul. He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. (Psalm 23:3)
Reflection We need the Shepherd to restore our soul because it is the nature of the sheep to wander away from the safety of the fold and into the wilderness of sin. Like lost sheep, we have gone astray, turning everyone to his own way, and the Lord has laid our iniquity upon Him. Only He can restore our souls from the ravages of sin and make us right with God again. The restoration He gives is the forgiveness of sin and peace with God. Repentance, which means we stop going our own way and return to the Shepherd, coupled with faith, is required to be restored.
Additional Scripture
For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (1 Peter 2:25)
All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6)
Life Application Stop going your own way and return to the Shepherd. Ask Jesus to restore your soul, believing that He died for your sins and rose again to give new life.
Prayer points
Pray to repent of sin and stop wandering.
Pray for faith in His sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins.
Friday: Following the Paths of Righteousness
Today's Verse: He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. (Psalm 23:3)
Reflection We walk in the paths of righteousness by following Jesus, the Good Shepherd. This righteous leading is done for His glory, not ours. It is by Christ’s death that we are saved, but it is His resurrection that enables us to walk righteously. He offers salvation to all, but only those who believe He died for them will be saved. His sheep hear His voice, and He knows them, and they follow Him; He gives them eternal life, and no one shall snatch them out of His hand.
Additional Scripture
You do not believe because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. (John 10:26-28)
Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. (Hebrews 13:20-21)
Life Application Actively listen for His voice and follow His guidance. Remember that true righteous walking is accomplished through His power, made possible by His resurrection. Never cease to pray for those who reject His word.
Prayer points
Pray for the grace to walk in paths that bring Him glory.
Pray for His resurrection power to work in you to do His will.
Pray for those in difficulty who struggle and reject His guidance.
Saturday: Assurance in the Valley of Death
Today's Verse: Yay, 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. (Psalm 23:4)
Reflection This psalm describes the process we go through in our walk with the Lord. We find assurance when facing death by making this journey with the Shepherd, because He knows the way. He is the only one who has journeyed through death and emerged victorious, having conquered sin, hell, and the grave. He will personally lead His sheep home. His rod and His staff symbolize His presence and they are the source of comfort.
Life Application Do not be afraid of death if you know the Shepherd, because He will take you home. Trust Him as the indispensable guide who knows the way on this journey. Have the confidence to say that even when leaving this life, you will be more alive than you are now.
Prayer points
Pray for assurance and lack of fear when facing difficult processes in life.
Pray to feel His comforting presence (His rod and staff) during times of darkness.
Pray for the assurance that He will lead you home.
Sunday: Anticipating the Eternal Home
Today's Verse: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (Psalm 23:6)
Reflection Those who belong to the Good Shepherd receive a lavish welcome when they arrive home. He prepares a table before His people, which speaks of feasting and fellowship that will continue forever and ever. God's sheep will never again leave His house. Goodness and mercy follow them all their lives, and they will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. The promise of God’s provision, sins forgiven, a constant companion, and a home in heaven only applies to those who know Him. This is the triumph and coronation day for those who are His.
Life Application Receive His love now, knowing that He lavishes it on you even here. Anticipate the eternal fellowship and feasting in His house. Ensure you know the Good Shepherd personally so that you can dwell with Him forever.
Prayer points
Pray to be open to receiving His lavish love every day.
Pray that I may know Him truly as my Shepherd, securing the hope of dwelling in His house forever.
Pray that I may find hope and assurance for my loved ones as well.