Is the Lord Your Shepherd?     

Read: Psalm 23 ESV – The LORD Is My Shepherd – A Psalm of – Bible Gateway

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Psalm 23:1 ESV

This week’s daily devotions on ‘Word for the Soul’ will feature the 23^rd Psalm. This is the most recognized Psalm of all 150 psalms in the psalter. Most people can recite it in its entirety, or least some portions of it. So, an assignment for this week, if you have not memorized it yet, now is your chance. (There are only six verses)

David, the author, begins with these famous words, “The LORD is my Shepherd; I shall not want.” (Ps.23:1 esv) David being a shepherd as a boy and young man knew the job of shepherding and the responsibilities it entailed. Number 1 on the list was the protection of the sheep under his care. David spent many long hot days and cold nights watching over the sheep. We do not know how David got paid or if he ever received compensation for his work, but he did his work flawlessly and at the risk of his own life.

The Lord Jesus not only risked His life for His sheep but gave up it up on the cross at Calvary. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (Jn.10:11 esv) David was able to see the relationship between his protecting and providing for his sheep and God doing the same for him, but in a much larger capacity. The Lord God providing for David all his life prompted him to write, ‘I shall not want.’ He was never lacking anything he needed. David’s shepherd provided for him.

David could call the Lord God his shepherd because he knew Him, followed Him, and obeyed Him. As you read the 23^rd Psalm and attempt to memorize it this week can you say, ‘the Lord (Jesus) is my shepherd’? Do you know Him? Have you accepted Him as your savoir? Is the Lord your shepherd?