The Shepherd's Psalm- A Psalm for all Seasons Series: Pastor Dave Rajoon

Devotional

Day 1: The Lord is My Shepherd—Total Dependence on God

To truly understand Psalm 23, we must see ourselves as sheep—creatures who are not self-sufficient, but utterly reliant on the shepherd for every need, every direction, and every protection. This is not a statement about our intelligence, but about our trust: the sheep’s safety, nourishment, and peace come only from the shepherd’s care. When we declare, “The Lord is my shepherd,” we are confessing that our source, our provider, and our protector is God Himself, and that we can rest in His loving oversight, knowing He has our best interests at heart. [57:32]

Psalm 23:1 (ESV)
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Reflection: In what area of your life are you struggling to trust God’s provision or guidance? What would it look like to surrender that area to the Shepherd today?

Day 2: God’s Peace in the Midst of Anxiety

God, as Jehovah Shalom, leads us beside still waters and makes us lie down in green pastures, offering a peace that surpasses all understanding even when the world around us is filled with turmoil and uncertainty. This peace is not just the absence of conflict, but a wholeness and security that comes from knowing God is present and in control, regardless of external circumstances. When you allow the Shepherd to lead you, you can rest, sleep, and live with a calm assurance that He is watching over you, bringing you to places of restoration and quietness for your soul. [01:14:22]

Psalm 23:2 (ESV)
He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to create space for God’s peace—perhaps by turning off distractions, pausing to pray, or meditating on His presence?

Day 3: Restoration and Righteousness—Walking in God’s Ways

The Shepherd not only restores our souls when we are weary or broken, but also leads us in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake, clothing us in His own righteousness rather than relying on our own efforts. Our right standing before God is not earned by our works, but is a gift received through Jesus Christ; as we walk in His righteousness, our actions and habits begin to reflect His character, and we honor His name by the way we live. God’s restoration brings us back to wholeness, and His righteousness guides us to live in a way that brings glory to Him. [01:23:01]

Psalm 23:3 (ESV)
He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Reflection: Is there a habit or attitude in your life that needs God’s restoration or a realignment with His righteousness? How can you invite Him to transform that area this week?

Day 4: God’s Presence and Protection in the Dark Valleys

Even when we walk through the darkest valleys, facing fear, loss, or uncertainty, we need not be afraid because the Shepherd is with us—His presence is our comfort, and His rod and staff guide and protect us. We may not always see Him, but we can sense His nearness through the subtle ways He reassures us, disciplines us gently, and keeps us on the right path. God’s presence, Jehovah Shammah, means that wherever we go, no matter how deep the valley, He is there, and we can walk forward with confidence and without fear. [01:32:31]

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 challenge or “valley” you are facing. How can you become more aware of God’s presence with you in that situation today?

Day 5: Knowing the Shepherd—A Personal Relationship with Jesus

It is not enough to know about the Shepherd; we are invited to know Him personally, to walk with Him, and to experience His goodness and mercy following us all the days of our lives. This relationship is the foundation of our faith and the source of our confidence, hope, and joy. When we know the Shepherd, we can declare with assurance that we will dwell in His house forever, living each day in the reality of His love and care. The question is not just whether you can recite Psalm 23, but whether you truly know the Shepherd who leads you. [01:44:03]

John 10:14-15 (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.

Reflection: How can you intentionally deepen your relationship with Jesus, the Good Shepherd, this week—perhaps through prayer, worship, or simply spending time in His presence?

Sermon Summary

Psalm 23 is more than a familiar passage recited at funerals or in times of distress; it is a living invitation to know the Shepherd intimately and to experience the fullness of His care. When we gather to worship, we come not just to receive, but to glorify God and to allow His presence to fill us so completely that others see Christ in us. The heart of our faith is not in religious routine, but in a relationship with the Shepherd who knows us, provides for us, and leads us.

David, a shepherd himself, wrote Psalm 23 from the perspective of a sheep—one who is utterly dependent on the shepherd for provision, protection, and peace. To truly understand this psalm, we must see ourselves as sheep: not because we are unintelligent, but because we are called to trust fully in the Shepherd. The Lord—Yahweh, the covenant-keeping God—is our Shepherd, and everything we need flows from Him. He leads us to green pastures and still waters, offering not just physical provision but deep, soul-restoring peace—Jehovah Shalom.

Life brings valleys of shadow, moments of fear, and seasons of uncertainty. Yet, even in the darkest places, the Shepherd’s presence is our comfort. His rod and staff are not instruments of cruelty, but of guidance and assurance. We may not always see Him, but we hear the gentle tap of His staff, reminding us that He is near—Jehovah Shammah, the Lord who is there.

The Shepherd restores us, not only physically but spiritually. He leads us in paths of righteousness—not because of our own merit, but for His name’s sake. Our righteousness is not self-made; it is a gift, Jehovah Tsidkenu, the Lord our Righteousness. God’s reputation is tied to His promises, and He is faithful to keep covenant with His people.

Even in the presence of enemies, God prepares a table for us, anointing us with oil—Jehovah Nissi, our banner and protector, and Jehovah Rapha, our healer. The psalm concludes with a promise: goodness and mercy will follow us all our days, and we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. This is not just poetry; it is the reality for those who know the Shepherd. The invitation is to move beyond knowing about Psalm 23, to truly knowing the Shepherd Himself.

Key Takeaways

1. True worship is about glorifying God and allowing His presence to fill us so completely that our lives reflect Christ to the world. When we gather, it is not for our own benefit alone, but to offer ourselves as living sacrifices, trusting that God meets us in our praise and transforms us from the inside out. [42:59]
2. Seeing ourselves as sheep is an act of humility and trust, not a statement of weakness. Sheep are not known for their intelligence, but for their dependence on the shepherd. Our spiritual maturity grows as we embrace our need for God, relying on His guidance, provision, and protection rather than our own understanding. [55:29]
3. The Shepherd’s presence in the valley is not always visible, but it is always real. God often gives us subtle reminders—like the tap of the staff on the rocks—that He is with us, even when circumstances are dark or uncertain. Our comfort comes not from the absence of trouble, but from the assurance of His nearness. [59:19]
4. God’s provision and restoration are rooted in His character and covenant. He is Jehovah Jireh (Provider), Jehovah Shalom (Peace), Jehovah Rapha (Healer), and Jehovah Tsidkenu (Righteousness). Our needs are met not because we are deserving, but because God is faithful to His promises and acts for His name’s sake. [66:19]
5. The ultimate goal is not just to receive from God, but to dwell in His presence and know Him personally. It is possible to recite Psalm 23 and miss its heart if we do not know the Shepherd. The invitation is to move from head knowledge to heart relationship, trusting the Shepherd with every aspect of our lives and living in the confidence that His goodness and mercy pursue us always. [103:55]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[42:41] - Entering God’s Presence
[45:32] - Reflecting God’s Glory
[46:14] - The Church Christ Builds
[47:09] - The Architect’s Vision
[49:36] - Introduction to Psalm 23
[51:29] - David the Shepherd and the Psalms
[55:29] - Becoming the Sheep
[57:32] - Trusting the Shepherd
[58:38] - Reading Psalm 23 as Sheep
[59:19] - The Valley and the Shepherd’s Presence
[60:30] - The Lord as Shepherd: Yahweh Rohi
[72:07] - Jehovah Shalom: God’s Peace
[77:39] - Restoration, Righteousness, and Reputation
[92:31] - God’s Comfort and Guidance
[94:40] - The Table in the Presence of Enemies
[97:01] - Anointing and Healing: Jehovah Rapha
[99:35] - Goodness and Mercy
[101:44] - Dwelling in God’s House
[103:44] - Knowing the Shepherd
[104:58] - Closing Prayer and Worship
[110:05] - Invitation to Know the Shepherd
[111:40] - Announcements and Dismissal

Bible Study Guide

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.

Observation Questions

According to the sermon, why is it important to read Psalm 23 from the perspective of a sheep rather than just as ourselves? [[55:29]]
What are some of the names of God mentioned in the sermon that are reflected in Psalm 23, and what do they mean? [[01:06:19]]
In the psalm, what does the shepherd do for the sheep when they are in the valley of the shadow of death? How does the sermon describe the shepherd’s presence in those moments? [[59:19]]
What does it mean when the psalm says, “He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake”? How does the sermon connect this to God’s character? [[01:22:31]]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says that seeing ourselves as sheep is an act of humility and trust, not a statement of weakness. Why might God want us to identify as sheep, and how does this shape our relationship with Him? [[57:12]]
The pastor described the rod and staff as tools of comfort and guidance, not punishment. How does this understanding affect the way we view God’s discipline and presence in our lives? [[59:19]]
The sermon highlights that God’s provision and restoration are rooted in His character and covenant, not our own merit. What does this mean for how we approach God with our needs and failures? [[01:06:19]]
The message ends with the idea that it’s possible to know Psalm 23 by heart but miss its true meaning if we don’t know the Shepherd personally. What is the difference between knowing about God and truly knowing Him? [[01:43:55]]

Application Questions

The sermon says true worship is about glorifying God and letting His presence fill us so that others see Christ in us. When you gather for worship, do you come mainly to receive or to give? How could you shift your focus this week? [[42:59]]
The pastor encouraged us to “become sheep” and embrace our dependence on the Shepherd. Is there an area of your life where you struggle to trust God’s guidance or provision? What would it look like to surrender that area to Him? [[55:29]]
The message described the Shepherd’s presence in the valley as sometimes only a “tap of the staff”—a subtle reminder that God is near. Can you recall a time when you sensed God’s presence in a difficult season, even if it wasn’t obvious? How did that change your outlook? [[59:19]]
The sermon teaches that God’s restoration and righteousness are gifts, not things we earn. Are you tempted to try to “earn” God’s favor or prove your worth? How can you remind yourself this week to rest in His grace? [[01:22:31]]
The psalm says God prepares a table for us in the presence of our enemies and anoints us with oil. Is there a situation in your life where you feel surrounded by challenges or opposition? How might you look for God’s provision and healing in that place? [[01:34:40]]
The pastor shared a story about someone who could recite Psalm 23 but didn’t know the Shepherd, and another who truly knew Him. Which one do you relate to more right now? What is one step you could take this week to deepen your relationship with the Shepherd? [[01:43:55]]
The message ends with the promise that “goodness and mercy will follow us all our days.” How can you look for and recognize God’s goodness and mercy in your daily life, even in small ways? [[01:39:35]]

Sermon Clips

``So when you trust the shepherd, you can declare with confidence, I shall not want. You see, when it says I shall not want, we have to understand something. There are many things that we want. There are many things that we could say that I need in my life or I want. And sometimes, you know, there's this definition of whether it's wants or needs and we can try to pass that to see, you know, what it means. But when it says the Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want, it doesn't mean that there are not sometimes when you're going to be hungry and there are not going to be sometimes when there's some certain things that you're going to need. But it means that I shall not lack because you know where the source is and you know where it's going to come from. [01:11:01] (45 seconds) #IShallNotLack

But when we understand that He is my peace, Jehovah Shalom, it says that no matter what is happening around me, no matter what is taking place in the world today, I have something inside of me. A peace that passes all understanding, Paul says later on. So we need that kind of peace. We need to know that God is taking us to the quiet places in our lives where in spite of the fact that there's war and disaster, going on around us, I know that I can trust in the shepherd. Because He is Jehovah Shalom. [01:15:32] (34 seconds) #GodRestoresSoul

So God's reputation, as we can say, is that it's tied to his promises. Remember I said that the word Jehovah is used when God enters into a covenant relationship with you. That means a covenant is an agreement between two parties. So when God makes a covenant with you and we know that God is a covenant God, he does not break his covenants. How many of you understand that? Because God has made a covenant with you, he will not break his covenant. [01:29:18] (30 seconds) #GoodnessAndMercyFollow

But how do I know the shepherd is with me? How do I know the shepherd is with me because it's dark and I can't constantly be looking around to see the shepherd. His rod and his staff they comfort me. How does the rod and staff comfort me? Well, every time I stray off to the side the shepherd comes and he taps me with his rod with his little thing and he brings me back so I can stay in line. Not only that he's walking and he has the stick which is the staff and as he's walking he's tapping the stick on the rocks. So I know I can hear and I know that because I'm hearing the tap, tap, tap of his staff on the rocks the shepherd is with me. So I will fear no evil. I know that those wolves are there they can hold all they want. They can go up and they can make us die but I know my shepherd is right behind me and he is with me. You see that's the presence of God in your life. [01:31:38] (53 seconds) #ConnectWithGodDaily

So God's discipline and direction they're comforting. They're not cruel. God is not a cruel God. You know some people say I got sick and God put that on you. No! God don't put no cancer on you to discipline you. The enemy the devil puts that on you. But God's presence is there to comfort you when you go through some things. Again we always remember there's a reality that we face in this old sinful broken world that there's some things that we might face. There's some things that we may go through but the understanding here that the Lord is my shepherd. Right? And we go through with him. [01:34:00] (34 seconds) #JesusTheGoodShepherd

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