Finding Comfort and Guidance in Our Good Shepherd

Summary

Psalm 23 reveals the heart of God as Jehovah-Rohi, the Lord our Shepherd. God is not distant or detached, but intimately involved in the details of our lives, offering personal care, guidance, and protection. This name, Jehovah-Rohi, is deeply personal—David, who himself was a shepherd, understood firsthand the patience, vigilance, and sacrifice required to care for sheep. By calling God his shepherd, David acknowledges his own vulnerability and dependence, and invites us to do the same. Sheep are not known for their intelligence or self-sufficiency; they are stubborn, defenseless, and deeply dependent on their shepherd. In the same way, we are prone to wander, make mistakes, and find ourselves in need of rescue. Yet, God does not shame us for our weakness; instead, He draws near, leading us beside still waters and restoring our souls.

Jesus builds on this imagery in John 10, declaring Himself the Good Shepherd who knows His sheep by name and lays down His life for them. In a world filled with competing voices and false guides, Jesus alone is the true shepherd whose voice brings life, security, and purpose. He is both the gate and the shepherd, offering not restriction but true freedom and abundant life to those who enter by Him. The comfort we seek is not found in the fleeting pleasures or distractions of this world, but in the presence and protection of the Shepherd who walks with us through every valley, even the shadow of death. His rod and staff—symbols of both correction and guidance—are sources of comfort, not fear.

Our brokenness and wandering are not the end of the story. Through Jesus, Jehovah-Rohi redeems us completely. He willingly laid down His life to rescue us, not out of obligation, but out of deep, sacrificial love. This invitation is open to all—anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. The Shepherd not only provides for us today but prepares an eternal home where we will dwell with Him forever. The call is to trust Him as our Shepherd, take refuge in His care, and treasure the eternal promise He offers. In a world of many voices, may we learn to recognize and follow the voice of the Good Shepherd, who alone leads us to life.

Key Takeaways

- Recognizing Our True Condition: Like sheep, we are more vulnerable, stubborn, and dependent than we care to admit. Acknowledging our neediness is not an insult but an invitation to experience the personal care of God, who delights in guiding and protecting us even in our weakness. This humility is the starting point for a deeper relationship with our Shepherd. [14:46]

- The Comfort of God’s Presence: True comfort is not found in the absence of trouble, but in the presence of the Shepherd who walks with us through every valley. God’s rod and staff—His protection and guidance—bring a peace that surpasses understanding, even when circumstances remain uncertain or threatening. Our security is rooted in who is with us, not in what we face. [27:16]

- The Danger of False Voices: The world is filled with voices that promise fulfillment but ultimately lead us astray. Jesus warns that thieves and robbers will try to steal our attention and devotion, but only the Good Shepherd’s voice leads to life. Discernment comes from knowing His voice through Scripture, prayer, and community, and intentionally turning away from influences that do not reflect His heart. [22:35]

- Redemption Through Sacrifice: Jesus, as the Good Shepherd, does not abandon His sheep in their brokenness. He willingly lays down His life, not as a hired hand but as one who loves deeply and sacrificially. Our redemption is complete—not because of our worthiness, but because of His unwavering commitment to rescue and restore us. [34:22]

- The Promise of Eternal Dwelling: God’s care extends beyond this life; He prepares a table for us and an eternal home where we will dwell with Him forever. This hope anchors us amid the distractions and disappointments of the present, calling us to treasure His promise and live with our eyes fixed on eternity. The Shepherd’s invitation is not just for today’s needs, but for everlasting communion with Him. [40:54]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Introduction: The Names of God
[02:30] - Story: The Need for a Guide
[03:49] - The Danger of False Shepherds
[04:34] - Reading Psalm 23
[07:51] - Jehovah-Rohi: The Lord is My Shepherd
[09:22] - David’s Life: A Shepherd’s Perspective
[12:18] - The Nature of Sheep and Our Condition
[14:46] - Our Deep Dependence on God
[17:22] - Jesus as the Good Shepherd (John 10)
[19:01] - The Sheepfold: Protection and Belonging
[20:43] - Confronting False Teachers
[22:35] - Hearing the Shepherd’s Voice
[24:14] - The Pursuit of Comfort
[25:05] - God’s Presence in the Valley
[28:20] - The Rod and Staff: Protection and Guidance
[30:34] - Freedom and Security in Christ
[32:31] - Abundant Life in the Shepherd’s Care
[34:22] - The Good Shepherd’s Sacrifice
[36:23] - The Invitation to All
[38:08] - The Eternal Promise: Dwelling with God
[40:18] - Application: Trust, Refuge, and Hope
[41:30] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: Jehovah-Rohi – The Lord Our Shepherd

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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.

John 10:1-18 (ESV)
> [Read as a group or assign verses to different people.]

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### Observation Questions

1. In Psalm 23, what are some specific ways the Lord acts as a shepherd to David? (Look for verbs and actions in the passage.)
2. According to John 10, how do the sheep respond to the shepherd’s voice compared to the voice of strangers? [22:35]
3. What are the two main tools mentioned in Psalm 23 that the shepherd uses, and what are their purposes? [28:20]
4. In John 10, what does Jesus say about why He lays down His life for the sheep? [34:22]

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### Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon describes sheep as stubborn, defenseless, and deeply dependent on their shepherd. Why do you think David chose this imagery to describe our relationship with God? [14:46]
2. Jesus calls Himself both the “door” and the “good shepherd” in John 10. What does this dual imagery teach us about the kind of relationship He wants with us? [30:34]
3. The rod and staff are described as sources of comfort, not fear. How might God’s correction and guidance actually bring comfort rather than anxiety? [28:20]
4. The sermon mentions that there are many “voices” in the world competing for our attention. What are some examples of these voices, and why is it important to discern the voice of the Good Shepherd? [22:35]

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon says that recognizing our neediness is not an insult but an invitation to experience God’s care. Is it hard for you to admit your own vulnerability or dependence on God? Why or why not? [14:46]
2. Think about a recent “valley” or difficult season in your life. Did you sense God’s presence with you? If not, what might help you become more aware of His presence in hard times? [25:05]
3. The world is full of “false voices” that promise fulfillment. What are some specific voices or influences in your life that might be leading you away from the Good Shepherd? How can you intentionally tune them out this week? [22:35]
4. Jesus willingly laid down His life for you—not out of obligation, but out of deep love. How does this truth impact the way you view your own worth and God’s commitment to you? [34:22]
5. The sermon challenges us to trust Jesus as our Shepherd, take refuge in His care, and treasure His eternal promise. Which of these three is hardest for you right now, and what is one step you can take this week to grow in that area? [40:18]
6. Psalm 23 ends with the promise of dwelling in the house of the Lord forever. How does having an eternal perspective change the way you handle today’s disappointments or distractions? [40:54]
7. The pastor shared that sheep know their shepherd’s voice through time spent together. What is one practical way you can spend more intentional time with Jesus this week—through Scripture, prayer, or community? [22:35]

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Closing Prayer:
Invite group members to share prayer requests, especially in areas where they feel vulnerable or in need of the Shepherd’s guidance and care. Pray for one another to recognize and follow the voice of the Good Shepherd this week.

Devotional

Day 1: The Lord is Our Personal Shepherd
God reveals Himself as Jehovah-Rohi, the Lord our Shepherd, who provides personal care, guidance, and protection over our lives. This name is not distant or abstract; it is deeply personal, signifying that God is intimately involved in every detail of our existence. Just as David, a shepherd himself, understood the commitment and sacrifice required to care for sheep, he recognized that God’s shepherding is even greater—He never leaves our side, knows us by name, and tends to our every need. To call God our shepherd is to acknowledge our dependence on Him and to trust that He is enough for every circumstance we face. [07:51]

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 most need to trust God’s personal care and guidance today, and how can you intentionally surrender that area to Him in prayer?


Day 2: Our Condition as Sheep—Deeply Dependent and Vulnerable
Recognizing God as our shepherd means recognizing ourselves as sheep—creatures that are straying, stubborn, defenseless, and deeply dependent. Sheep are known for wandering off, repeating mistakes, and being unable to protect or rescue themselves. In the same way, we are more stubborn, defenseless, and broken than we often admit, and we desperately need the constant care and guidance of our Shepherd. This is not meant to shame us, but to remind us of our need for God’s nearness and help, and to encourage us to humbly depend on Him for every aspect of our lives. [14:46]

Isaiah 53:6 (ESV)
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.

Reflection: Where do you see patterns of stubbornness or self-reliance in your life, and how can you invite God to shepherd you in those specific areas this week?


Day 3: The Good Shepherd’s Voice—Discerning Truth Amid Competing Voices
In a world filled with countless voices vying for our attention, Jesus calls Himself the Good Shepherd whose sheep know His voice and follow Him. He warns that there are thieves and false shepherds who seek to mislead and harm, but His followers are called to discern and cling to His truth. This discernment comes from spending time in God’s Word, prayer, and community, learning to recognize the Shepherd’s voice above all others. The comfort and safety of the sheepfold are not restrictions, but the loving protection and freedom found in following Jesus alone. [22:35]

John 10:1-5 (ESV)
“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”

Reflection: What practical step can you take today to better recognize and respond to the voice of Jesus, rather than the competing voices around you?


Day 4: Comfort in the Valley—God’s Presence in Our Hardest Moments
Even when walking through the darkest valleys, we need not fear, for our Shepherd is with us. David’s confidence was not in the absence of danger, but in the presence of God who comforts, protects, and guides with His rod and staff. God’s presence does not always remove us from difficult circumstances, but it assures us that we are never alone. His protection and correction are acts of love, and His guidance brings true comfort, even when the path is uncertain or frightening. [27:16]

Psalm 23:4 (ESV)
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.

Reflection: Think of a current or past “valley” in your life—how did (or can) God’s presence and guidance bring you comfort and peace in that situation?


Day 5: The Good Shepherd’s Sacrifice and Our Eternal Hope
Jesus, the Good Shepherd, laid down His life for the sheep, offering complete redemption and the promise of eternal life to all who trust in Him. His sacrificial love is not forced but freely given, and He calls each of us by name into His flock. The Shepherd’s care is not just for today, but for all eternity—He prepares a place for us in His Father’s house, where goodness and mercy will follow us forever. This eternal promise invites us to trust, take refuge, and treasure the hope we have in Christ, knowing that our Shepherd’s love and protection never end. [39:12]

John 10:14-16 (ESV)
I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.

Reflection: How does knowing that Jesus laid down His life for you and is preparing an eternal home for you shape the way you live and the hope you hold onto today?

Quotes

We can be calm and composed even in the darkest valley, not because we know where God's leading us, not because we know what's on the other side, their end, but because we know who's with us. We know that God is there caring for us and guiding us if we submit to him. [00:27:32] (21 seconds)  #CalmInGodsPresence Edit Clip | Translate Clip

The rod represents God's protection and correction, while the staff symbolizes his guidance and care. And together, they show that God not only defends us from harm, but gently leads us in the right direction. And that's where our comfort can come from. Our comfort can come from the fact that he is leading. And we're not in charge of our life. [00:28:57] (24 seconds)  #RodAndStaffComfort Edit Clip | Translate Clip

Sometimes we think about giving our lives to Jesus, and we think that we're going to, you know, be stuck inside these four walls. We think that, okay, God, I'll walk in these walls, and we think we're stuck in a box, and we think that we have no freedom. But we see that the picture Jesus paints here is entirely different. He says, I am the door. If anyone enters, in verse 9, he says, I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. Being saved and having the freedom to go in and out, that doesn't sound like restriction at all. It sounds like freedom. [00:30:41] (39 seconds)  #FreedomThroughTheDoor Edit Clip | Translate Clip

We are broken. We are wandering sheep, and often we're dumber than we care to admit. I know me personally, I am far dumber than I like to admit sometimes. And I connect with that sheep jumping right back into that trench over and over and over again. Yet for some reason, the shepherd still loves me. He still cares for me. He still is going to pull me out. [00:33:02] (27 seconds)  #LovedDespiteWeakness Edit Clip | Translate Clip

The beginning of true understanding and hope comes from realizing this, is that we, in fact, are deeply broken. And like sheep without a shepherd, we are helpless. But thankfully, it doesn't end there. Jesus came to become our good shepherd. [00:33:59] (17 seconds)  #HopeInTheGoodShepherd Edit Clip | Translate Clip

God is a gracious host, and he prepares the table. He pours out blessings, and he surrounds us with his presence. And that is the gospel. That's the good news, that he is our good shepherd, that he is leading us, not only providing care and protection for us today, but he's our eternal host. We can dwell in the house of the Lord forever if we submit to what the good shepherd wants. [00:38:39] (28 seconds)  #GodOurEternalHost Edit Clip | Translate Clip

Jesus didn't just save you for today, but he's preparing a place for you, an eternal home where we can dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Don't get distracted today by listening to the voices that are here on earth because we have the promise of an eternal home. [00:40:57] (18 seconds)  #EternalHomePromise Edit Clip | Translate Clip