Finding Peace in the Shepherd's Care
Summary
Psalm 23 is a song for every season of life—whether we’re walking through fear or faith, sorrow or joy, defeat or victory. God, in His wisdom, gave us this Psalm as a reminder that He is our Shepherd, and we are His sheep. Life is unpredictable and often overwhelming, but we are not left to navigate it alone. The Lord Himself is our Shepherd, and He is leading us home—to His house, to His presence, to a place of belonging and rest. Our lives begin and end with Him, and every step in between is under His care.
David, reflecting on his own tumultuous life, recognized that God’s goodness had “sandwiched” his story—God was there at the beginning, and He would be there at the end. No matter what we face, we can rest in the truth that God is not a distant, uninvolved deity. He is Yahweh, the Great Shepherd, who knows us by name, who chose us, and who remains close even when we wander or stubbornly try to shepherd ourselves. Our anxiety and fear often come from forgetting that we are not in control, but peace comes from surrendering to the Shepherd’s care.
Sometimes, God “makes us lie down” in green pastures that don’t look or feel like blessings. Seasons of pain, disappointment, or feeling stuck are often the very places where God is developing us, restoring our souls, and preparing us for what’s next. The valleys we walk through—whether by our own choices, the actions of others, or circumstances beyond our control—are not places of abandonment but of transition. God’s promise is not to remove every valley but to be present with us in them, comforting and guiding us with His rod and staff.
God’s blessing is not just for our benefit but as a declaration of His grace in the face of our enemies. He anoints us, fills our cup, and prepares a table for us even in the presence of those who oppose us. His goodness and mercy don’t just follow us—they chase us down, pursuing us all the days of our lives. Our ultimate destination is not success or comfort, but to dwell in the house of the Lord forever. We are headed home, shepherded every step of the way by the One who loves us most.
Key Takeaways
- God’s Shepherding Presence Is Personal and Relational
God is not a distant overseer but Yahweh, the Great Shepherd, who knows each of us by name and invites us into a covenant relationship. He chose us, fully aware of our flaws and failures, and remains committed to leading, loving, and providing for us. Our peace and security are found not in our ability to control life, but in surrendering to His care and trusting that He is always working for our good. [10:45]
- Seasons of Stillness and Pain Are Often God’s Green Pastures
The places in life where we feel stuck, overlooked, or even wounded can be the very pastures where God is developing our character and restoring our souls. Rather than fleeing discomfort, we are invited to trust that the Shepherd is using these seasons to bless us in ways we may not yet understand. What feels like delay or disappointment may actually be God’s preparation for deeper purpose and intimacy with Him. [16:42]
- Valleys Are Transitional, Not Terminal—And God’s Presence Is Our Comfort
Dark valleys—whether caused by our own choices, others’ actions, or uncontrollable circumstances—are often seasons of transition, not destinations. God does not promise to remove every hardship, but He does promise His presence in the midst of them. His rod and staff are not instruments of punishment, but of protection and guidance, lifting our eyes from our troubles to His faithful leadership. [22:16]
- God’s Blessing Is a Form of Spiritual Warfare
When God prepares a table for us in the presence of our enemies, it is not just for our enjoyment but as a public display of His grace and favor. The enemy may accuse and attack, but God responds by anointing us, filling our cup, and affirming our identity as His beloved. Blessing is not a reward for our perfection, but a declaration of God’s victory and goodness in the face of opposition. [28:33]
- Goodness and Mercy Are Actively Pursuing Us—Our Destination Is Home
God’s goodness and mercy do not passively trail behind us; they actively chase us down because of our identity in Christ. No matter our past or present, we are pursued by the love of God every day, and our ultimate destination is to dwell in His house forever. The journey may be marked by valleys and battles, but the Shepherd’s relentless pursuit ensures that we are always headed home. [32:38]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[02:27] - Psalm 23: More About Life Than Death
[05:15] - David’s Reflection on God’s Goodness
[08:02] - The Great Shepherd: Covenant Relationship
[10:45] - Sheep Are Dependent, Not Dumb
[13:00] - “I Am Not My Shepherd”: Surrendering Control
[16:42] - Green Pastures in Unexpected Places
[18:00] - Restoration and Right Paths
[22:16] - Walking Through the Valley
[26:43] - The Shepherd’s Rod and Staff
[28:33] - God’s Table: Blessing in the Presence of Enemies
[30:30] - Anointed and Overflowing
[32:38] - Goodness and Mercy Chase Us
[34:00] - Headed Home: Dwelling in God’s House Forever
[35:00] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Psalm 23 – Headed Home
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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.
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### Observation Questions
1. In Psalm 23, what are some of the specific ways the Lord acts as a shepherd to David? (Look for verbs and actions in the passage.)
2. According to the sermon, what does it mean that God is not just a “good” shepherd, but the “great” shepherd? [08:02]
3. The sermon mentions that sheep are not dumb, but dependent. What does this say about our relationship with God? [10:45]
4. What are the different “places” or “seasons” described in Psalm 23 (e.g., green pastures, valleys, table in the presence of enemies)? How does God interact with us in each of these?
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### Interpretation Questions
1. The sermon says that “our anxiety and fear often come from forgetting that we are not in control, but peace comes from surrendering to the Shepherd’s care.” Why is it so hard for us to surrender control, and what does this reveal about our trust in God? [13:00]
2. The “green pastures” in Psalm 23 are sometimes seasons of pain or feeling stuck, not just times of obvious blessing. How might God use difficult or disappointing seasons to develop us? [16:42]
3. The “valley of the shadow of death” is described as a place of transition, not a final destination. How does God’s presence change the way we experience these valleys? [22:16]
4. The sermon says that God’s blessing is a form of spiritual warfare, especially when it happens “in the presence of our enemies.” What does it mean for God to bless us publicly, and how does this impact our understanding of spiritual opposition? [28:33]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon challenges us to say, “I am not my shepherd.” In what areas of your life are you still trying to be your own shepherd? What would it look like to surrender those areas to God this week? [13:00]
2. Think about a time when you felt “stuck” or disappointed, like the pastor’s story of being a stay-at-home mom or walking through betrayal. Looking back, can you see ways God was developing or restoring you in that season? How might that change your perspective on your current struggles? [16:42]
3. When you find yourself in a “valley”—whether because of your own choices, someone else’s actions, or circumstances beyond your control—how do you typically respond? What would it look like to invite God’s presence and comfort into that place right now? [22:16]
4. The sermon says that God’s rod and staff are not for punishment, but for protection and guidance. Can you think of a recent time when God “lifted your eyes” or redirected you? How did that feel, and what was the result? [26:43]
5. God’s blessing is described as a public declaration of His grace, even in front of those who oppose us. Is there an area of your life where you feel under attack or misunderstood? How can you look for God’s blessing and affirmation in that situation? [28:33]
6. The sermon says that God’s goodness and mercy “chase us down” because of our identity in Christ. Do you find it easy or hard to believe that God is actively pursuing you with love? Why or why not? [32:38]
7. Our ultimate destination is to “dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” How does keeping this eternal perspective affect the way you handle the ups and downs of life right now? [34:00]
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Closing Thought:
Remember, you are not alone in any season. The Great Shepherd is leading, providing, restoring, protecting, blessing, and pursuing you—every step of the way, until you are finally home with Him.
Devotional
Day 1: The Lord is My Shepherd—Dependence, Not Self-Sufficiency
There is a wild and stubborn peace that comes from truly knowing Yahweh as your shepherd. When you remember that you are not your own shepherd, the pressure to control, hustle, and hold everything together lifts. God, in His covenant love, has chosen you—factoring in every mistake and still calling you His own. He is not distant or punitive, but close, trustworthy, and good, providing everything you need in every season. If you don’t have it, it’s because you don’t need it right now. Let your soul rest in the truth that you are not the shepherd—He is, and He can be trusted. [12:45]
Psalm 23:1 (ESV)
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Reflection: In what area of your life are you still trying to be your own shepherd, and how can you surrender that control to God today, trusting Him to provide what you truly need?
Day 2: He Makes Me Lie Down—God’s Purpose in Unwanted Seasons
Sometimes God leads you into seasons you would never choose for yourself—places that feel stuck, painful, or hidden. Yet, these are often the very green pastures and still waters where He develops, restores, and blesses you in ways that could not happen elsewhere. Don’t flee the pasture just because it comes disguised as pain. Even when you feel stuck or want to run, trust that the Great Shepherd is leading you, and if there were a better place for you, He would take you there. Where you are is a good place, because He is with you and working for your good. [16:42]
Psalm 23:2-3 (ESV)
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: Is there a difficult or unwanted season in your life right now that you need to see as God’s green pasture? How might you partner with Him instead of resisting where He has you?
Day 3: God’s Presence in the Valley—Comfort Over Escape
Dark valleys are inevitable—sometimes caused by your own choices, sometimes by others, and sometimes by circumstances beyond your control. But no matter how you got there, the Great Shepherd promises not escape, but His presence. He walks with you, not from a distance, but right beside you, using His rod and staff to protect, guide, and lift your eyes from the ground to Himself. Pain with presence is still pain, but it is transformed by the nearness of God. Let Him lift your gaze and comfort you, knowing you are never alone in the valley. [26:43]
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: When you find yourself in a dark valley, what would it look like to intentionally invite God’s presence and let Him lift your eyes from your circumstances to Him?
Day 4: Blessing in the Presence of Enemies—Overflowing with God’s Spirit
God doesn’t just lead and protect; He blesses you openly, even in the presence of those who oppose you. He anoints you with His Spirit, causing your cup to overflow—not because you are perfect, but to display His grace and frustrate the enemy. Blessing is a form of spiritual warfare, a public declaration of God’s favor and love for His sheep. You are anointed, affirmed, and crowned with His love, and your life overflows with His goodness, even when the enemy accuses. [28:33]
Psalm 23:5 (ESV)
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Reflection: Where in your life do you sense opposition or accusation, and how can you receive and celebrate God’s blessing and affirmation in those very places today?
Day 5: Chased Down by Goodness—Our True Home Is with God
God’s goodness and mercy are not passive; they actively pursue you, chasing you down every day because you belong to Christ. Your past and present are covered by His blood, and your new identity is marked by the scent of the Son. The destination is not earthly success or closure, but dwelling in the house of the Lord forever. No matter what comes, you are headed home, pursued by love, and invited to rest in the assurance that your forever is with Him. [32:38]
Psalm 23:6 (ESV)
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Reflection: How does knowing that God’s goodness and mercy are actively pursuing you change the way you approach today, and what does it mean for you to live as someone “headed home” to God’s house?
Quotes
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