Embracing the Good Shepherd in Our Mess
Summary
Psalm 23 paints a vivid picture of God as our shepherd—one who is not distant or aloof, but intimately involved in the mess and reality of our lives. The image of the shepherd is not just one of gentle comfort, but of gritty presence: a shepherd who smells like the sheep, who enters into our chaos and brokenness without hesitation. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, left the glory of heaven to step into our world, bearing scars that prove His willingness to enter our mess and offer us life. He specializes in meeting us where we are, not where we wish we were.
Yet, even as we follow this Shepherd, many of us carry around “garbage” in our minds—old failures, shame, and the persistent whisper of condemnation. These voices tell us we are unworthy, that the promises of Psalm 23 are for someone else, or for another time. But God’s word is clear: when we confess, He chooses to forget our sins, casting them away as far as the east is from the west. The enemy’s accusations are flawed and exaggerated, but God’s forgiveness is complete and liberating.
The mind is the battleground where these truths and lies collide. What we feed our minds shapes our hearts, and what fills our hearts overflows into our actions. Scripture teaches that our minds can be renewed and transformed—not by our own effort, but by the Spirit of God working through His word. This renewal is not a one-time event, but a daily process of choosing what we allow in, and what we meditate on. The life Jesus offers is not just for the future, but for now: abundance, peace, and satisfaction in Him, regardless of our circumstances.
Psalm 23’s “I” statements—“I shall not want,” “I will fear no evil,” “I will dwell in the house of the Lord”—are not just for King David, but for all who trust the Shepherd. They are invitations to live free from lack, fear, and the tyranny of the past, and to experience eternal life now, in relationship with God. The Shepherd’s goodness and mercy don’t just follow us—they pursue us with relentless love. The challenge is to surrender, to let go of the garbage, and to receive the life that is on offer today.
Key Takeaways
- Jesus, the Good Shepherd, enters our mess without hesitation. He is not repelled by our brokenness or failures, but draws near, bearing the scars of His love. His presence in our lives is not sanitized or distant; He specializes in meeting us in the reality of our struggles and bringing hope and transformation. [48:39]
- The enemy’s accusations are persistent, but God’s forgiveness is absolute. While the devil may remind us of our past with half-truths and condemnation, God declares that confessed sin is forgotten, cast into the depths, and remembered no more. This liberating truth allows us to live with a clear conscience and resist the cycle of shame and self-contempt. [53:59]
- The mind is the gateway to transformation, and what we feed it matters deeply. Our thoughts, feelings, and perceptions shape our inner life and actions. By intentionally filling our minds with truth—through Scripture, prayer, and focusing on Jesus—we invite the Spirit to renew us, breaking the power of lies and old patterns. [01:03:43]
- The promises of Psalm 23 are for the present, not just the future. “I shall not want,” “I will fear no evil,” and “I will dwell in the house of the Lord” are realities to be lived now, not merely hoped for after death. Eternal life begins in knowing God today, experiencing His abundance, peace, and presence in the midst of everyday life. [01:12:01]
- Surrendering to the Shepherd means letting go of self-sufficiency and embracing His guidance, correction, and love. It is an act of trust to lay down our garbage and receive the life He offers—a life marked by abundance, freedom from fear, and the joy of dwelling with God now. This is not always easy, but it is the path to true satisfaction and the experience of eternity in the present. [01:13:51]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[45:41] - Reflections on Psalm 23
[46:47] - Images of the Shepherd
[47:35] - The Shepherd in Our Mess
[48:39] - Jesus, the Good Shepherd
[50:07] - The Garbage We Carry
[51:25] - The Voice of Condemnation
[52:46] - The Enemy’s Flawed Memory
[53:59] - God’s Complete Forgiveness
[54:46] - Living Free from Shame
[55:57] - Reading Psalm 23 Together
[57:39] - The “I” Statements of Faith
[59:56] - The Mind-Heart-Action Connection
[01:02:40] - The Mind of Christ
[01:03:43] - Renewing the Mind
[01:05:12] - Transformation Through Truth
[01:07:15] - Life Without Lack
[01:08:44] - The Magnificence of God
[01:10:13] - Freedom from Fear
[01:12:01] - Eternal Life Now
[01:13:51] - Surrendering to the Shepherd
[01:14:55] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: Psalm 23 – The Good Shepherd in Our Mess
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### Bible Reading
Psalm 23 (ESV)
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
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.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Romans 12:2 (ESV)
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
John 10:11 (ESV)
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
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### Observation Questions
1. In Psalm 23, what are the three “I” statements that David makes about his relationship with God? ([57:39])
2. According to Romans 12:2, what is the result of having a renewed mind?
3. In John 10:11, what does Jesus say the good shepherd does for the sheep?
4. The sermon describes the shepherd as one who “smells like the sheep” and enters into our mess. What does this image add to your understanding of God as shepherd? ([47:35])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. The sermon says that Jesus, the Good Shepherd, “specializes in coming into chaotic, messaged, garbage lives.” Why is it significant that Jesus is not repelled by our brokenness? ([48:39])
2. The speaker mentions that the enemy’s accusations are “flawed, exaggerated, and full of half-truths,” but God chooses to forget confessed sin. How does this contrast affect the way a believer views their past failures? ([53:59])
3. The mind is described as the “battleground” where truth and lies collide. What does it mean for the Spirit of God to renew our minds, and why is this a daily process? ([01:03:43])
4. The promises of Psalm 23 are said to be for the present, not just the future. How does this change the way someone might read or pray this psalm? ([01:12:01])
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon talks about carrying “garbage” in our minds—old failures, shame, and condemnation. What is one piece of “garbage” you find yourself carrying, and what would it look like to let Jesus into that mess this week? ([50:07])
2. When you hear the “whisper” of condemnation or self-contempt, what practical step can you take to remind yourself of God’s complete forgiveness? ([54:46])
3. The speaker shared about realizing that his first thoughts in the morning were shaped by what he consumed the night before. What is one change you could make to the input you allow into your mind, especially at the start or end of your day? ([01:03:43])
4. Psalm 23 says, “I shall not want.” In what area of your life do you struggle to believe that God is enough? How can you invite the Shepherd to meet you in that place of lack? ([01:07:15])
5. The sermon describes God’s goodness and mercy as not just following us, but “pursuing” us like a stallion at full speed. When have you experienced God’s relentless love, and how can you become more aware of it in your daily life? ([01:10:13])
6. Surrendering to the Shepherd means letting go of self-sufficiency. What is one area where you are trying to “shepherd” yourself instead of trusting God’s guidance? What would it look like to surrender that area this week? ([01:13:51])
7. Eternal life is described as “knowing God now.” What is one way you can intentionally cultivate your relationship with God this week, not just for the future, but for today? ([01:12:01])
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for courage to surrender to the Shepherd, to let go of the “garbage,” and to receive the abundance, peace, and presence that Jesus offers right now.
Devotional
Day 1: Jesus, the Good Shepherd, Enters Our Mess
Jesus is not a distant or sanitized shepherd; He steps directly into the mess and chaos of our lives, unafraid of our failures, shame, or the “garbage” we carry. He came from the glory of the Father into a smelly stable, lived among us, bore scars for us, and continues to meet us in our brokenness. No matter how much we feel our lives are too messy or unworthy, Jesus specializes in entering those very places, bringing forgiveness, healing, and His loving presence. Invite Him into your mess today, knowing He is not repelled but drawn to you in love. [48:39]
John 10:11 (ESV)
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
Reflection: What is one area of your life that feels especially messy or shameful right now? Can you invite Jesus, the Good Shepherd, to step into that place with you today?
Day 2: God Forgets Our Confessed Sins
When we confess our sins, God chooses to forget them completely—He does not hold our past against us, nor does He remind us of our failures. The enemy may whisper words of condemnation, but God’s word assures us that our sins are thrown into the depths of the sea and removed as far as the east is from the west. This liberating truth means we can live with a clear conscience, free from shame and self-loathing, and stand before God as beloved children. Refuse to carry the garbage of old guilt; God has already let it go. [53:59]
Isaiah 43:25 (ESV)
“I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.”
Reflection: Is there a past sin or failure you keep revisiting in your mind? What would it look like to truly accept God’s forgiveness and let go of that “garbage” today?
Day 3: The Mind Can Be Renewed and Transformed
Our minds are shaped by what we feed them—thoughts, feelings, perceptions, and the input we allow in. While the world’s messages can fill us with anxiety, lies, and fake promises, God offers us the power to have our minds renewed and transformed by His Spirit and truth. This is not always easy, but it is possible: as we focus on Jesus and immerse ourselves in His word, the Spirit works to make our minds new, helping us discern what is true, good, and pleasing to God. Transformation is a daily process, and it begins with what we allow into our minds. [01:05:12]
Romans 12:2 (ESV)
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Reflection: What is one practical change you can make this week to feed your mind with God’s truth instead of the world’s “garbage”?
Day 4: Life Without Lack—Abundance in the Shepherd
Because Jesus is our Shepherd, we are invited into a life of abundance, satisfaction, and deep inner joy that is not dependent on material things or circumstances. Even in times of need or uncertainty, we can trust that we lack nothing essential, for Jesus Himself is our provision and our life. This abundance is not about having everything we want, but about flourishing in the presence and care of the Shepherd, experiencing His peace, guidance, and love. We can ask God to help us believe and live in this truth, even when it feels hard. [01:07:15]
Psalm 23:1-3 (ESV)
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”
Reflection: In what area of your life do you feel a sense of lack or dissatisfaction? How might trusting Jesus as your Shepherd change your perspective or response today?
Day 5: Eternal Life Is Now—Living with God in the Present
Eternal life is not just a future promise; it is a present reality for those who know God and Jesus Christ. We are invited to dwell with God now, to experience His goodness, mercy, and love pursuing us every day, and to taste eternity in our daily lives. This means living with an awareness of God’s presence, letting His love cast out fear, and embracing the joy and satisfaction that comes from knowing Him. The Shepherd’s invitation is to live with Him today, not just someday—eternity is in session now. [01:12:01]
John 17:2-3 (ESV)
“Since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.”
Reflection: How can you intentionally practice living in God’s presence today, experiencing eternal life now rather than waiting for “someday”?
Quotes
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