Chapter 23 – Strolling with the Shepherd (Devotions from Psalms)

Scripture: “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” – (23:1)

Observation: This is probably the most familiar of David’s psalms. David was a shepherd boy, whose faith in God delivered him from formidable opponents. In this psalm, he writes about God being his shepherd and how the Lord cares for him as he would care for his own sheep.

Application: It is a misnomer to think that sheep are “dumb” animals. Sheep are actually very intelligent. Sheep are able to recognize human faces and voices, retaining that recognition for up to two years! When sheep are ill, they often find plants that can alleviated their sickness. Studies show that sheep even have good memories and learning abilities!

However, sheep do have areas in which they are greatly lacking. Thus, they depend upon a shepherd for several very important things.

1) The shepherd protects the sheep.

• Sheep have no natural defenses. They are unable to frighten a predator that is approaching. Their “baas” don’t really strike fear into the heart of an approaching predator. Additionally, they aren’t the best runners, so fleeing from a predator doesn’t end well for the sheep. Lastly, a sheep can’t fight its enemy. It has no innate weaponry of which to avail itself. No claws, no sharp teeth, no poisonous spines. Therefore, sheep are completely dependent upon the shepherd for protection.

2) The shepherd leads the sheep.

• Sheep also have no internal GPS systems, and they tend to wander off. Their sense of direction leaves much to be desired, and they tend to move in flocks. If you think of how a sheepdog easily herds sheep, you can see that they lack directional skills. Therefore, sheep are dependent upon the shepherd to guide them to where they need to be. While they are often good at navigating through mazes, sheep tend to have a “mob mentality”. If one sheep trots off a cliff, there’s a good chance, others will follow. They depend upon a shepherd to keep them on the right path.

3) The shepherd provides for the sheep.

• Sheep are grazing animals, and they will overgraze an area, depleting it of all resources if left to fend for themselves in an area. The shepherd guides the flock to many different areas providing the sheep with fresh grass and water, Additionally, the shepherd will take the sheep to areas with quiet water for drinking, as the movement of water often frightens the sheep. The sheep depend upon the shepherd for food and water.

The Bible often speaks of God’s people as sheep. Like sheep, we have similar dependencies.   

• We need to be guided to and kept on the right path of life.
  • “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” – Isaiah 53:6
  • “He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” – Psalm 23:3
• We need to be fed in God’s pasture.
  • “Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.” – Psalm 100:3
    • God feeds us from His Word; He protects us from the “junk food” of the world’s sinfulness.
• We need to be protected from sin.
  • “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” – John 10:11
    • Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for the sins of the world and to give us eternal life through His gift of salvation.

Like sheep, we also have good qualities. Here are three positive characteristics between ourselves and sheep.

• We know our Shepherd’s voice.
  • “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:” – John 10:27
• We have the capability to learn.
  • “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” – Psalm 119:11
• We know to whom to go to find the cure for our sin-sick souls
  • “And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.” – 1 John 3:5

With Jesus as our Shepherd, there is nothing else we need; we have no want or desire for anything of this world. Jesus has promised to meet all our needs “…according to His riches in glory” (Philippians 4:19). It is good to be a sheep in God’s pasture!

Prayer: Dearest Lord Jesus, thank You for being my Good Shepherd. I rest secure in Your love and care. You are my Saviour and Lord; I am Your little lamb, safe and protected in Your hands. I am blessed! In Your holy name, I pray. Amen.

The Lord is my shepherd; I'll walk with him always.
He leads me by still waters; I'll walk with him always.
Always, always, I'll walk with him always.
Always, always, I'll walk with him always.

(from “The Lord is My Shepherd” by unknown)

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“And ye my flock, the flock of my pasture, are men, and I am your God, saith the Lord GOD.” – Ezekiel 34:31