Trusting the Good Shepherd: A Journey of Intimacy

Summary

Today’s focus is on the name of God, Jehovah-Rohi—“The Lord is my Shepherd”—as revealed in Psalm 23. This ancient psalm, written by David, a shepherd-king who experienced both triumph and deep valleys, offers a profound picture of God’s character and care. The shepherd metaphor is not just poetic; it’s deeply personal, relational, and sacrificial. In the ancient world, shepherds were humble, hands-on, and intimately involved with their flocks. They led from the front, not by force but by invitation, and their sheep followed because they knew the shepherd’s voice. This is the kind of relationship God desires with us: not one of coercion, but of trust and intimacy.

God as our shepherd means He leads, restores, protects, provides, and pursues us—even when we wander. The shepherd’s role is gritty and sacrificial, often requiring the shepherd to risk comfort and safety for the sake of the sheep. This is the heart of God toward us: not distant or detached, but present and attentive to our daily needs and struggles. The promise of “I shall not want” is not a guarantee of unending comfort or the absence of desire, but a declaration that with God as our shepherd, we will never lack what we truly need. Even in scarcity, grief, or danger, He is enough.

A common misconception is that God might hurt us to keep us close, like the old story of a shepherd breaking a sheep’s leg. But there is no historical evidence for this practice, and it’s important to reject any theology that paints God as abusive. While God can redeem our pain, He is never the cause of abuse or harm. Instead, He is the one who carries us when we are wounded.

Jesus embodies and perfects the shepherd image. He is the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep, the prophesied Shepherd-King, and the one who seeks the lost. The promises of Psalm 23 are fulfilled in Him: He leads, provides, protects, and is always present. The entire psalm hinges on who our shepherd is. When we try to shepherd ourselves, anxiety, exhaustion, and emptiness follow. But when we let Jesus be our shepherd, we find rest, provision, and belonging.

Each day, we are invited to choose who will shepherd our souls. The invitation is to stop leading and start following the Good Shepherd, trusting that He alone can provide the peace, presence, and purpose we long for.

Key Takeaways

- God’s Shepherding Is Intimate, Not Distant
The image of God as shepherd is not about a distant overseer, but about a God who is present, attentive, and involved in the daily details of our lives. He leads from the front, inviting us to follow, rather than driving us by force. This intimacy is the foundation of trust and security in our relationship with Him. [48:52]

- “I Shall Not Want” Is a Statement of Trust, Not Circumstance
David’s declaration, “I shall not want,” is not a denial of need or desire, but a profound trust that God will provide everything truly necessary. Even when life is hard and our feelings don’t match our faith, the sufficiency of the Shepherd remains. Our focus must shift from our circumstances to the Shepherd Himself. [51:45]

- God Redeems Pain, But He Is Not Its Author
The popular story of the shepherd breaking a sheep’s leg to keep it close is a myth. God does not wound us to teach us lessons or keep us near; such a view distorts His character. While He can redeem and use the pain caused by others or by a broken world, He is never the source of abuse or harm. [55:15]

- Jesus Is the Fulfillment of Jehovah-Rohi
Jesus doesn’t just illustrate the shepherd metaphor—He fulfills it. He is the Good Shepherd who lays down His life, the Shepherd-King prophesied in the Old Testament, and the one who seeks out the lost. In Him, all the promises of Psalm 23 find their “yes,” and we are invited to experience His leading, provision, and presence. [01:00:53]

- Who or What Shepherds Us Shapes Our Lives
The entire experience of Psalm 23 hinges on who we allow to shepherd us. When we try to lead ourselves, anxiety, exhaustion, and emptiness follow. But when we surrender to Jesus as our Shepherd, we find rest, security, and belonging. The daily invitation is to stop leading and start following, trusting that the Good Shepherd alone can provide what we truly need. [01:06:41]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[41:09] - Introductions and Community Updates
[43:30] - The Meaning of Jehovah-Rohi
[45:32] - Reading and Exploring Psalm 23
[48:52] - The Shepherd’s Role: Leading, Providing, Protecting
[51:45] - “I Shall Not Want”: Trusting the Shepherd
[54:01] - Focusing on the Shepherd, Not Circumstances
[55:15] - Debunking the Broken-Leg Myth
[57:12] - God Redeems Pain, Doesn’t Cause It
[59:47] - Jesus as the Good Shepherd
[01:00:53] - Jesus Fulfills Psalm 23’s Promises
[01:02:14] - The Importance of Who Shepherds Us
[01:03:55] - When I Am My Own Shepherd
[01:05:35] - The Difference When Jesus Is Shepherd
[01:06:41] - The Daily Invitation to Follow
[01:08:05] - Choosing Your Shepherd Each Day
[01:08:58] - Closing Encouragement and Prayer

Study Guide

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

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### Bible Reading

Psalm 23 (ESV)
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
3 He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 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.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 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 10:11, 14-15 (ESV)
11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,
15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.

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### Observation Questions

1. In Psalm 23, what are some specific actions the shepherd takes for the sheep? (e.g., leads, restores, protects, provides)
2. According to the sermon, how did shepherds in the ancient world relate to their sheep, and how is this different from how cattle are driven? [[48:52]]
3. What does Jesus claim about himself in John 10, and how does this connect to the shepherd imagery in Psalm 23?
4. The sermon mentions a common story about shepherds breaking a sheep’s leg. What did the pastor say about the truth of this story? [[55:15]]

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### Interpretation Questions

1. The phrase “I shall not want” is described as a statement of trust, not circumstance. What does this mean for someone going through a difficult season? [[51:45]]
2. The sermon says God’s shepherding is “intimate, not distant.” How does this challenge or affirm your own view of God’s involvement in your life? [[48:52]]
3. The pastor warns against believing that God causes harm to keep us close. Why is it important to reject this idea, and how does it affect our understanding of God’s character? [[55:15]]
4. The entire experience of Psalm 23 is said to “hinge on who we allow to shepherd us.” What are some things people might let shepherd them besides God, and what are the results? [[01:02:14]]

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon described the difference between “the Lord is my shepherd” and “I am my own shepherd.” Which version sounds more like your life right now, and why? [[01:03:55]]
2. When you face anxiety, exhaustion, or emptiness, what does it look like for you to “stop leading and start following” the Good Shepherd? Can you think of a recent example? [[01:06:41]]
3. Are there specific areas in your life where you find it hard to trust that God will provide what you truly need? What would it look like to shift your focus from your circumstances to the Shepherd? [[51:45]]
4. The pastor said, “God redeems pain, but He is not its author.” How have you seen God use pain in your life for good, even if He didn’t cause it? [[57:12]]
5. Jesus says He is the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep. How does knowing this affect your sense of belonging and security? [[59:47]]
6. The invitation is to choose daily who will shepherd your soul. What practical step can you take this week to remind yourself to follow Jesus as your Shepherd each day? [[01:08:05]]
7. If you are struggling to let go of control and let Jesus lead, what is one thing you could surrender to Him in prayer this week? [[01:17:08]]

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Closing Encouragement:
Remember, peace begins when we stop leading and start following the Good Shepherd. Jesus is present, attentive, and able to provide what we truly need. Let’s encourage each other to trust Him and follow His lead this week.

Devotional

Day 1: The Lord is My Shepherd—He Leads, Provides, Protects, and Pursues

God is not a distant or detached ruler, but a personal shepherd who intimately leads, restores, protects, provides, and pursues His people. The imagery of the shepherd in Psalm 23 reveals a God who is hands-on, gentle, and sacrificial, inviting us into a relationship of trust and dependence. Even when we wander or face dark valleys, His goodness and mercy follow us, and He ensures we lack nothing truly needed. The focus is not on our circumstances, but on the Shepherd who is always present and caring, offering us rest, guidance, and hope in every season. [45:32]

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.

Reflection: In what area of your life do you most need to trust the Shepherd’s care and provision today, rather than focusing on your circumstances?


Day 2: Jesus Is the Good Shepherd Who Lays Down His Life

Jesus perfectly embodies Jehovah-Rohi, declaring Himself the Good Shepherd who not only leads and protects but willingly lays down His life for His sheep. Unlike a hired hand, Jesus is the promised Shepherd King who seeks the lost, pursues the wandering, and brings the promises of Psalm 23 to life. He offers us a place at His table, promises His presence in every valley, and assures us that His goodness and mercy will never leave us. In Jesus, we see the Shepherd’s love made tangible, sacrificial, and eternally faithful. [01:00:53]

John 10:11-15 (ESV):
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 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 does knowing that Jesus laid down His life for you change the way you respond to His leadership and care today?


Day 3: God Does Not Wound to Keep Us Close—He Redeems Our Pain

Contrary to popular stories, God does not harm or wound us to keep us near; He is not abusive. While pain and suffering may come from the brokenness of the world or the actions of others, God’s role is to carry, comfort, and redeem us in our pain, never to be its cause. He is the Shepherd who picks up the hurting sheep, tending to wounds with compassion and using even our deepest hurts for good, but never inflicting them Himself. This truth invites us to trust His goodness, even when life is hard, and to reject any image of God as a source of harm. [57:12]

Romans 8:28 (ESV):
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Reflection: Is there a painful experience in your life where you have struggled to trust God’s goodness? How might you invite Him to carry and redeem that pain today?


Day 4: When I Am My Own Shepherd, I Find Restlessness and Anxiety

When we try to shepherd ourselves—relying on our own strength, wisdom, or resources—we find ourselves restless, anxious, and empty. Self-leadership leads to exhaustion, fear, and a sense of never having enough, as we chase after satisfaction in things that cannot truly provide. The difference between “The Lord is my shepherd” and “I am my own shepherd” is profound: one brings peace, rest, and belonging; the other brings striving, stress, and isolation. We are invited to recognize the futility of self-shepherding and to surrender control, letting God lead us into true rest and security. [01:04:37]

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV):
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.

Reflection: Where are you tempted to take control and be your own shepherd? What would it look like to surrender that area to God’s leadership today?


Day 5: Peace Begins When You Stop Leading and Start Following the Good Shepherd

True peace, presence, and purpose are found not in leading ourselves, but in following Jesus, the Good Shepherd. Each day, we are faced with the choice of who will shepherd our souls—ourselves or God. When we let Jesus lead, we experience the life-giving difference of His guidance, provision, and care. This is not a one-time decision, but a daily invitation to stop striving, to rest in His sufficiency, and to trust that He will never leave us. The promise is clear: when we follow the Shepherd, we have everything we need. [01:08:05]

Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV):
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Reflection: As you begin this day, what is one practical way you can stop leading and intentionally follow Jesus as your Shepherd?

Quotes

Shepherds led, but they did so gently. If you think about it, like you've heard the phrase, a cattle driver. When you're driving cattle, generally speaking, you're behind them pushing them. And it's a bit more aggressive. Sheep, a shepherd, at least in this time, they led from the front. They would be walking and using their voice. [00:48:41] (20 seconds)  #LeadingWithGentleVoice Edit Clip

God doesn't coerce or control, but invites and he guides. This really was a metaphor for trust and intimacy, not fear or domination. And so I don't know what kind of view of God or picture of God you have in your life from your upbringing or your own life experiences. But we're starting to see a bit of a picture here that might be different than something we've internalized. God is not trying to coerce us. God is not trying to drive us against our will. He's inviting us into intimacy and to follow him. [00:49:12] (30 seconds)  #GodInvitesNotControls Edit Clip

It tells me and it tells you that I'm not alone. Even when I'm lonely, I'm not alone. We are cared for, we are watched over, and we are guided. It tells me that God isn't distant or detached, but he is intimately involved in my daily life. He knows what's going on. He is aware and he cares. [00:50:20] (18 seconds)  #NeverAloneInHisCare Edit Clip

Even in scarcity, even in grief, even in danger, even in the valley of the shadow of death, He is enough. It doesn't always feel like it, but that doesn't change what's true. Sometimes our feelings don't always line up with reality. Even in our darkest moments, He is enough. That's what this idea of Jehovah -Rohi means. [00:53:07] (20 seconds)  #HeIsEnoughAlways Edit Clip

So the focus is really not on our circumstances, but on the shepherd. And so this is just like last week where we talked about Jehovah -Shalom, or was that two weeks ago, whatever. When we talked about Jehovah -Shalom, where peace is a person, not a feeling, it's important that we grasp that I might not feel like I'm surrounded by peace right now, but that doesn't mean I don't know peace if I know God. [00:53:27] (20 seconds)  #PeaceIsAPerson Edit Clip

I was struck by how much the entire psalm of Psalm 23, the whole thing, as best I can tell, the whole thing hinges on the first two words. The Lord is my shepherd. And if I change those words at all, if it's not the Lord is my shepherd, if it's anything else in those first two words, the whole psalm changes. [01:02:14] (23 seconds)  #TheLordIsMyShepherd Edit Clip

I stopped looking to myself as the answer and the solution to all my problems, and I trusted God. I stopped looking to myself or my circumstances or my relationships or my family or my career or my job or my bank account or my immigration status or anything else. I stopped looking at that, and I just looked at Jehovah Rokhi and let him be God. And suddenly, I stopped chasing it, and my mind could calm down, and my soul could find rest, and I could belong somewhere. [01:06:54] (26 seconds)  #TrustGodNotCircumstances Edit Clip

Each of us has a choice of who we will follow as the shepherd, ourselves or God. God, I encourage you, my friends, to choose wisely. You have a choice every day of who will be the shepherd today. Who will you follow? So choose wisely. [01:08:24] (17 seconds)  #IShallNotLeadHeLeads Edit Clip