Psalm 23- The Lord Is My Shepherd

Devotional

Day 1: The Lord as Shepherd fully satisfies our needs.

When the believer says, "The LORD is my shepherd," it is a confession that God provides the necessities for a full and meaningful life — not the extras on a wish list but the deep, essential things the heart truly needs; this is why David can say he lacks nothing, for the shepherd cares for every need with unfailing provision and presence. [31:19]

The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need. (Psalm 23:1, NLT)

Reflection: Identify one desire this week that you’ve treated as a need (a “want” you’ve mistaken for essential). Tonight, pray and write out that desire, then ask God to help you turn that longing into trust in His shepherding care; choose one tangible action (e.g., cancel a purchase, set a spending limit, or replace screen time with Scripture) that demonstrates that shift today.

Day 2: Hope trusts unseen promises with confident expectation.

Hope is not vague wishing but forward-facing assurance: it expects what is not yet seen and waits with confidence, anchoring the heart in God’s promised future rather than in temporary comforts; this steady expectation shapes how a person endures and lives now. [33:52]

For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. (Romans 8:24–25, ESV)

Reflection: Name one specific promise of God you struggle to believe (for example, forgiveness, restoration, or eternal life). Spend five minutes writing a short, honest confession of that doubt, then read Romans 8:24–25 aloud and pray, asking God to increase your patient expectation; pick one small, faith-filled step you will take this week to live as if that promise is true.

Day 3: Faith assures the unseen realities we long for.

Faith provides the inner conviction and certainty about realities not yet visible; it settles the heart by making present the promises that hope looks toward, so that believers live with sure confidence even when outward circumstances remain unsettled. [33:52]

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1, ESV)

Reflection: Choose one “unseen” reality you need assurance of today (e.g., God’s presence, personal transformation, or acceptance). Sit quietly for five minutes, speak Hebrews 11:1 out loud as a declaration, and then write one concrete habit you will practice daily this week (prayer, Scripture reading, confession) to strengthen your conviction in that unseen reality.

Day 4: Human needs exceed material provision and comforts.

There is a God‑shaped need beyond food, clothing, career success, or possessions; these things may briefly satisfy, but life’s deepest purpose and joy are found when the heart rests in the Shepherd rather than in temporal substitutes that fail in depth and duration. [37:05]

Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? (Matthew 6:25, ESV)

Reflection: Make a quick list of the top three things you currently trust to give life meaning (work, approval, money, etc.). Pick the one you rely on most and, for one day this week, intentionally limit its influence (for example, take a break from work emails after hours, refuse to check social validation, or set a spending freeze) and use that time to pray and read Psalm 23, noticing how your dependency shifts toward the Shepherd.

Day 5: Jesus is the shepherd who lays down life.

Jesus is not a distant provider but the Good Shepherd who came, humbled Himself, and gave His life so that sinners could be saved and fully satisfied; He alone passed the tests of infinite depth and eternal length, and He remains with His sheep by Spirit now and will bring them home when He returns. [53:26]

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. (John 10:11, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one fear, habit, or relationship you cling to for security. Pray, imagining Jesus laying down His life to free you from that burden, then take one concrete step today to demonstrate trust (for example, confess the struggle to a trusted friend, begin a short accountability practice, or choose a sacrificial act that symbolizes release).

Sermon Summary

Sitting with our dear brother Alan in the hospital this week reminded me how real our family bond is in Christ. We are truly closer than brothers because we share the same risen life. That sets the tone for Advent in Psalm 23:1: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Today I stayed with the first line and pressed the difference between wants and needs. The surveys say people find meaning mostly in family, career, and money—faith ranks near the bottom. No wonder so many feel empty. We all hope in something, but the question is whether what we hope in can actually satisfy what we most need.

Hope, biblically, is confident expectation about what we do not yet see. We attach that hope to something we believe will meet our need. But most of our “shepherds”—career, approval, possessions, experiences—fail two tests. First, the test of depth: they cannot reach the deepest places of the heart. Second, the test of length: even when they help for a while, they cannot last; they wear out, move away, break, or end. We are needy sheep. We need a shepherd who never grows weary, never changes, never runs out.

That is why David can say, “I lack nothing.” Yahweh, the I AM, is the self-existent, self-sufficient One. The burning bush that blazed without consuming fuel was God’s way of saying: “I don’t need anything to be everything you need.” In his presence is fullness of joy, and at his right hand are pleasures forever—depth and length together. In Jesus, the Good Shepherd, God doesn’t merely send us supplies; he gives us himself. He came lowly, laid down his life for the sheep, rose again, and by his Spirit lives in us now. Heaven is heaven because Jesus is there; and life is full when he is here.

So ask: can I truly say, “the Lord is my shepherd”? If so, you lack nothing—not because all your circumstances are easy, but because the Shepherd who holds you is enough. And when you forget, hold your left hand and linger on the ring finger with the word “my.” He has covenantally bound himself to you. The Lord is my Shepherd.

Key Takeaways

1. Hope aims with confident expectation Biblical hope is not wishing; it is a settled assurance toward what is yet unseen. We all aim our hope somewhere, believing it will meet our need. If our aim is off, the heart starves even when our hands are full. Aim your hope where certainty lives. [33:52]
2. Our deepest need outruns lesser needs Food, shelter, grades, and goals matter, but they cannot carry the full weight of the soul. When the greater needs—meaning, forgiveness, peace with God—go unmet, lesser successes feel strangely hollow. Jesus insists that life is “more than” the things we chase. He names and meets the “more.” [37:05]
3. False shepherds fail depth and length Many things can soothe for a moment but cannot sustain for a lifetime, much less eternity. They overpromise and underdeliver, leaving us more anxious because their comfort has an expiration date. A true shepherd must satisfy the heart and outlast death. Only God passes both tests. [42:09]
4. The I AM needs nothing, sustains all God’s name, revealed at the burning bush, tells us he depends on no fuel, no help, no change of mood. Because he is self-existent, he is inexhaustibly strong, wise, and good toward you in every season. Your fluctuations don’t fluctuate him. That’s why his care is stable when everything else shifts. [47:57]
5. Jesus gives Himself, not just gifts Christ doesn’t airdrop strength and peace; he comes near and stays. The Good Shepherd lays down his life, rises, and lives within his people by the Spirit. Heaven’s joy is Jesus’ presence, and that presence begins now for his sheep. When he is yours, you truly lack nothing. [50:55]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[31:19] - Advent in Psalm 23:1
[33:52] - What hope really is
[37:05] - What we most need
[39:27] - When lesser needs are met
[42:09] - Two tests: depth and length
[45:16] - Paper rockets and false hopes
[47:57] - The I AM at the burning bush
[50:55] - The Lord is my Shepherd
[53:26] - Why heaven is heaven
[55:57] - The Scottish shepherd boy
[58:52] - Hold the ring finger: “my”
[61:05] - Prayer and gospel hope
[75:07] - Benediction and reminder

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

- Psalm 23:1 — "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want." —

Observation Questions

What difference between the words "want" and "need" did the preacher point out from Psalm 23:1, and why does he prefer translating the Hebrew as "need"? [37:05]
How did the sermon define biblical hope (not mere wishing), and which Bible verses were used to explain that definition? [33:52]
What are the two tests the preacher says most false shepherds fail (the things people hope in), and give one concrete example of each test from the sermon. [42:09]
In the sermon’s illustration about the burning bush, how is God's name ("I AM"/Yahweh) used to explain his ability to satisfy our deepest needs? [47:57]

Interpretation Questions

How should someone understand the claim "The LORD is my shepherd" if "shepherd" is a lowly, dependent role but Yahweh is self-sufficient? What does that combination tell the listener about God's character and approach to people? [50:55]
The preacher argues that hope must meet both depth and length. How should one interpret the difference between satisfying "lesser needs" (food, career, approval) and satisfying the "god-sized" needs of meaning, forgiveness, and peace with God? [42:09]
What does the sermon imply about the presence of the Spirit and the presence of Jesus now versus in heaven (i.e., how is heaven’s joy connected to Jesus' presence, and how does that shape present hope)? [53:26]
When the preacher refers to Exodus and the burning bush ("I AM that I AM"), what theological claim is being made about God's dependence (or lack of it) and how that claim supports trusting him as a shepherd? [47:57]

Application Questions

Identify two current "shepherds" in your life (things you hope in most—career, approval, money, relationships, etc.). For each, ask: which of the two tests (depth or length) is it failing or likely to fail in your life? Be specific about recent examples. [42:09]
The sermon suggested replacing wishful hoping with settled assurance in Christ. Name one specific fear or longing you currently hold that you will practice handing to the Lord this week. How will you do that (prayer, confessing to a friend, reading Psalm 23 each morning)? [33:52]
The preacher taught a simple physical reminder: hold your left hand and touch the ring finger while saying "my" to remember God's covenantal claim. Will you try that daily for the next week when you feel anxious? If yes, when exactly will you do it (morning, before bed, when alarm goes off)? [58:52]
Think of a recent moment when lesser needs were met but you still felt empty (a holiday meal, a success, a gift). What was missing in that moment that the sermon says only Jesus can supply? What is one concrete step you can take this week to pursue Jesus for that need (read Psalm 16:11, ask a friend to pray with you, attend a service, etc.)? [39:27]
The sermon said Jesus gives himself, not only gifts. Name one way you have been treating God like a supplier of resources rather than as your Shepherd. What is one concrete action you will take this week to re-center your trust on Jesus himself (spend 10 minutes reading about Jesus’ life, sing a hymn of trust, journal about "Jesus with me" moments)? [50:55]
If you do not yet feel able to say confidently "The LORD is my shepherd," what is one next step toward that assurance you can take in the next month (meet with a pastor, read the gospel of John, pray the gospel with a friend, come to a small-group meeting)? Be specific about timing. [53:26]
The sermon ended with the reminder that Jesus laid down his life for the sheep (John 10:11). Who is one person in your circle that needs to hear how Jesus is a shepherd who gives himself? What specific, practical step will you take in the next two weeks to share the gospel with them (invite them to church, offer to meet for coffee and listen, share a short testimony)? [50:55]

Sermon Clips

Every created thing on this planet earth is dependent and they're exhausted and limited and what they promise to provide all the things of this world it seems that they all over promise and they always under deliver is that right it's like an astronaut hoping that his rocket made of paper and straw will take him to the moon and the stars likewise people in this world have placed so much hope in everything and in anything to fill what only one thing can and that leads us to our second point the greatest hope to what we most need you see we have a god-sized hold in our hearts everybody and what we need most as needy sheep we need a shepherd that never grows old or tired. [00:45:26] (70 seconds) #OnlyOneCanSatisfy

We need a shepherd that is in that is not dependent on anything or anyone and therefore since he is not dependent on anything or anyone he is always forever unchanging one who doesn't need to be guided he doesn't need to be corrected he doesn't need to be protected he doesn't need to be assisted in any other way shape or form we need a shepherd who perfectly passed the two tests of depth and lean who is able to come through for you who is for you and who is able to satisfy your deepest needs 24 7 365 days a year from eternity past to eternity future. [00:46:36] (43 seconds) #UnchangingShepherd

Can't you see why david was able to say i have all that i need i don't lack anything it was because the lord is my shepherd this same david also wrote in psalm 16 verse 11 you lord make known to me the path of life is education is it money is it wealth is it fame is a family is a marriage is a kid's career he says no in your presence the lord there is fullness of joy that's infinite depth and at your right hand are pleasures forevermore that is infinite length the length the lord yahweh is his name. [00:47:22] (60 seconds) #IHaveAllINeed

This visual is giving moses into us god is saying i am that i am means i am the self-existent self-exalting self-dependent one i don't need anything or anyone to exist and nothing in your life your good and your bad circumstances though you are always changed and shaped by your life circumstances they never change me my nature my character and my purposes are unchanging from eternity past to eternity future i am that i am i will be who i will be that is my name yahweh the lord whether we're healthy or weak the lord yahweh he remains infinitely strong if we're doing well in life or struggling in life he remains infinitely wise if you're walking in obedience or in seasons of sin he remains infinitely gracious and holy he does not change. [00:50:02] (69 seconds) #IAmThatIAm

``He is the great i am who alone can and desires to satisfy our hearts and souls completely abundantly because he created us he knows us he knows us and he loves us that is what is so amazing about psalm 23 verse 1 even this first part the lord is my shepherd here you have lord yahweh infinite unchanging and then you have shepherd a shepherd is one of the lowliest positions and titles you can have during that time and yet they come together because the great and the good shepherd came to us that first christmas morning jesus christ the son of god is that shepherd you and i desperately need what fallen humanity needed most has already come. [00:51:12] (66 seconds) #GreatIAmShepherd

Even when he came the disciples if you guys remember initially they were hoping for this conquering military messiah to save israel from the roman empire yet jesus christ came to actually fulfill something even deeper a need that goes beyond political economical social it was their need for forgiveness of their sin their need to be made right with a holy god and have peace with him their need for a new heart for eternal life their need for saving and enabling grace to be conformed to the likeness of christ this is who we are created for and who we need most. [00:52:18] (46 seconds) #MessiahOfGrace

Can you say with great confidence and hope and assurance that the lord jesus is your shepherd if so then you truly lack nothing you have everything that you need why because the lord has given him himself to you yahweh the self-existent one doesn't just throw down christmas presents and say hey you need some strength here it is go get it you need some peace here i'm going to airdrop it to you we celebrate christmas because god himself has come to us and dwelt among us lived with us died on our behalf rose again and for those who are his sheep his spirit is in us even now. [00:53:07] (60 seconds) #GodWithUsNow

You know what makes heaven heaven it's not the gold that's nice but the pearly gates that's nice too or the the all you can eat buffet that's really nice our friends and our relatives what makes heaven heaven is that jesus himself is there and we will see him face to face a.w tozer said i love this quote with the goodness of god to desire our highest welfare the wisdom of god to plan it and the power of god to achieve it what do we lack the lord is my shepherd i have all that i need i like nothing even as we sang earlier. [00:54:07] (54 seconds) #SeeingJesusFaceToFace

But if something other than jesus christ has been your shepherd so far if you've been following and trusting and hoping in other things to shape and to satisfy and transform your heart and soul and i plead with you even this morning turn to jesus the good and great shepherd it's never too late believe and trust that he is the only way and the only hope that can save you and give you true abundant life now on this earth and for eternity he has already come that first abbot to lay his life down for his sheep john 10 11 that is the shepherd we need not just one who gives us hay and water who keeps us alive but who will lay down his very life in order that we may have life and he will come again one day amen. [00:55:02] (59 seconds) #TurnToTheGoodShepherd

Is the lord my shepherd this christmas season enjoy enjoy the celebrations enjoy your family and your friends the gift exchanges the dinner and the desserts but above all things in your heart remember the joyful hope that the lord yahweh jesus christ the good and great shepherd who laid down his life for us the lord is my shepherd before i close in prayer i want you guys to just hold out your left hand points this is me teaching you how to read okay the lord the lord is your pointing finger and if you're in christ and if the lord is your shepherd whatever you're going through i want you to remember as you say this to yourself the lord the lord is my your ring finger he has covenantally bound himself to you and he showed it on the cross didn't he he is my shepherd and i am his. [00:59:19] (82 seconds) #LordIsMyShepherd

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