1 The Lord is my shepherd;
I have what I need.

2 He lets me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside quiet waters.

3 He renews my life;
he leads me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.

4 Even when I go through the darkest valley,
I fear no danger,
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 Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life,and I will dwell in the house of the
Lord
as long as I live.

-Psalm 23 (CSB)

The Lord is my Shepherd.

Oh, sweet friends, what a blessing and a joy to be able to make that statement. What peace is found on those 5 simple words.

As I write this post, I’m feeling restless, irritable, and in need of the peace brought by those 5 words, so I’m going to say them again:

(Breathe in. Breathe out.)

The Lord is my Shepherd.

Psalm 23 was the theme verse for the month of August in our children’s church lessons, and as much as I am certain that God planned the timing of those lessons to touch the children’s hearts, I know He also planned for me to teach them in preparation for the spiritual battles I am facing at the opening of September.

As I taught this psalm, I told our church children that it is a good psalm to read or recite at bedtime because it is often at night that we feel most afraid. Afraid of the dark, of what’s under the bed, in the closet, or scraping the window outside.

The Lord is my Shepherd.

When I am in need of rest, my Shepherd watches over me.

When I am uncertain, my Shepherd knows the way.

When I am afraid, my Shepherd comforts me.

When the enemy approaches, my Shepherd defends me.

The Lord is my Shepherd.

It’s difficult to believe that five words could hold so many promises, and, yet, they hold some of the most powerful promises that God had made to us.

This week, let’s take some time to explore the promises of God found in Psalm 23. In preparation, I encourage you to spend today really thinking about those five words:

The Lord is my Shepherd.

What do you know about shepherds, about what they do for their sheep?

What does it mean to claim the Lord as your Shepherd?