Trusting the Good Shepherd: Guidance and Comfort
Summary
Psalm 23 offers a profound picture of God as Jehovah-Rohi, “the Lord is my shepherd.” This name reveals not only God’s character but also our own condition. Like sheep, we are prone to wander, stubborn, defenseless, and deeply dependent on someone to guide and protect us. David, who wrote this psalm, understood the life of a shepherd intimately and drew from his own experiences to describe God’s attentive, personal care. Despite his many failures and hardships, David could confidently say that God was with him through every valley and every victory, never abandoning him.
The shepherd-sheep analogy is not meant to flatter us, but to remind us of our vulnerability and need for guidance. Sheep are not clever; they are easily lost, unable to defend themselves, and quick to repeat mistakes. Yet, the beauty of Jehovah-Rohi is that God does not stand far off. He draws near, leading us beside still waters, restoring our souls, and guiding us in paths of righteousness. This is not just a poetic image, but a reality that Jesus himself affirms in John 10, where he declares, “I am the good shepherd.” Jesus contrasts himself with false shepherds—those who mislead, exploit, or abandon the flock. He alone knows his sheep by name, calls them, and leads them to abundant life.
In a world filled with competing voices and distractions, it is easy to be led astray. The call is to know the shepherd’s voice, to filter every other voice through the truth of Scripture, and to remain close to him. Comfort is not found in the absence of danger, but in the presence of the shepherd. Even in the darkest valleys, we need not fear, for his rod and staff—his protection and guidance—are with us. Jesus, our good shepherd, laid down his life for us, not out of obligation, but out of love. He offers not only daily care but an eternal promise: a place at his table, a home in his presence forever.
The invitation is clear: trust him as your shepherd, take refuge in his care, and treasure the eternal promise he offers. The greatest treasure is not just knowing about the shepherd, but knowing his voice and following where he leads.
Key Takeaways
- Recognizing Our True Condition: Like sheep, we are more vulnerable, stubborn, and dependent than we care to admit. True spiritual growth begins with humility—acknowledging our helplessness and our need for a shepherd who knows us intimately and cares for us personally. This honest self-assessment is the foundation for a deeper relationship with God. [14:55]
- The Nearness of the Shepherd: God is not a distant, uninvolved deity. He is present in every detail of our lives, leading us gently, restoring our souls, and guiding us through both green pastures and dark valleys. His nearness transforms our experience of life’s uncertainties, offering comfort and assurance even when circumstances are threatening. [17:08]
- Discerning the Shepherd’s Voice: In a world crowded with voices vying for our attention, it is crucial to cultivate a discerning ear for the voice of Jesus, the true shepherd. This means immersing ourselves in Scripture, prayer, and Christian community, so that we are not easily swayed by false promises or misleading influences. The health of our spiritual life depends on whose voice we follow. [22:53]
- Comfort in the Valley: God’s promise is not the absence of hardship, but his presence in the midst of it. The rod and staff—symbols of his protection and guidance—bring comfort even in the darkest valleys. Our peace is not rooted in the certainty of our circumstances, but in the certainty of his companionship and care. [26:46]
- The Shepherd’s Sacrificial Love and Eternal Promise: Jesus, the good shepherd, laid down his life for his sheep willingly and lovingly. His sacrifice secures not only our daily guidance and protection but also our eternal future. The invitation is to trust him, rest in his care, and live with our eyes fixed on the eternal home he is preparing for us. [36:30]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:00] - Introduction: Names of God and Series Overview
[03:39] - Reading Psalm 23
[05:00] - Jehovah-Rohi: The Lord is My Shepherd
[07:30] - The Personal Nature of “My Shepherd”
[09:12] - David’s Life: A Shepherd’s Perspective
[12:28] - Sheep: Our True Condition
[13:45] - The Sheep Video: Our Stubbornness
[16:02] - God’s Intimate Care in Every Detail
[17:44] - Jesus as the Good Shepherd (John 10)
[19:29] - The Sheepfold and False Shepherds
[21:58] - Discerning Voices in a Noisy World
[23:53] - Our Need for Guidance
[26:46] - Comfort in the Valley: Rod and Staff
[29:57] - Jesus, the Door and the Promise of Abundant Life
[32:16] - Submitting to the Shepherd’s Care
[33:19] - Our Brokenness and the Shepherd’s Redemption
[36:30] - The Sacrifice and Eternal Promise of the Good Shepherd
[38:03] - The Table Prepared: God as Gracious Host
[40:43] - Knowing and Following the Shepherd’s Voice
[41:43] - Three Applications and Final Challenge
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: Jehovah-Rohi – The Lord is My 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 10:1-5, 11, 14-16 (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. ... I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life 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. 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.”
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### Observation Questions
1. In Psalm 23, what are some specific actions the shepherd does for the sheep? (List at least three.)
2. According to John 10:1-5, how do the sheep respond to the shepherd’s voice compared to the voice of strangers?
3. The sermon described several characteristics of sheep. What are some of the ways sheep are described, and how does this relate to us? [[14:55]]
4. What do the rod and staff represent in Psalm 23, and how do they bring comfort? [[28:14]]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think David, after all his life experiences, chose to describe God as his shepherd? What does this reveal about his relationship with God? [[10:55]]
2. The sermon says the shepherd-sheep analogy is not meant to flatter us. What does it teach us about our true spiritual condition? [[14:55]]
3. In John 10, Jesus contrasts himself with “thieves and robbers.” What are some modern-day “voices” or influences that might act as false shepherds in our lives? [[21:58]]
4. The sermon mentions that comfort is not found in the absence of danger, but in the presence of the shepherd. How does this change the way we think about God’s role in our hardships? [[26:46]]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon challenges us to honestly admit our vulnerability and dependence on God. In what areas of your life do you find it hardest to admit you need God’s guidance or help? What keeps you from admitting it? [[14:55]]
2. The sheep in the video immediately jumped back into the ditch after being rescued. Can you think of a “ditch” you keep falling into, even after God has helped you out? What would it look like to let the Shepherd guide you differently this time? [[13:45]]
3. Jesus says his sheep know his voice. What are some practical ways you can become more familiar with the Shepherd’s voice this week? (Consider Scripture, prayer, or Christian community.) [[40:43]]
4. The world is full of competing voices. Is there a specific “voice” (media, person, habit, etc.) that tends to drown out God’s voice in your life? What step could you take to filter that voice through Scripture or limit its influence? [[21:58]]
5. The sermon says comfort is not the absence of hardship, but the presence of the Shepherd. Think of a current or recent “valley” in your life. How did you experience (or miss) God’s presence in that time? [[26:46]]
6. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, laid down his life for you. How does remembering his sacrificial love affect your trust in him with your daily worries and your future? [[36:30]]
7. The greatest treasure is not just knowing about the Shepherd, but knowing his voice and following where he leads. What is one area of your life where you sense God is calling you to follow him more closely? What is a first step you can take this week? [[41:43]]
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Closing Thought:
Before you leave this week, ask yourself: Whose voice am I listening to most? What would it look like to trust, take refuge in, and treasure the Good Shepherd’s care and promise in a new way? [[43:07]]
Devotional
Day 1: The Lord is My Shepherd—Our Deep Dependence
Recognizing God as Jehovah-Rohi, the Lord our Shepherd, means acknowledging our true condition: we are like sheep—straying, stubborn, defenseless, and deeply dependent on His care. Just as David, a seasoned shepherd and king, drew from his own life to describe God’s intimate involvement in every detail, we too must realize that we are not self-sufficient. Our wisdom, strength, and ability to navigate life’s challenges are limited, but our Shepherd is attentive, present, and able to lead us through every circumstance. Embracing our neediness is not a weakness, but the beginning of wisdom and the path to experiencing God’s faithful guidance and provision. [12:28]
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 resist admitting your need for God’s help, and how can you invite Him to shepherd you in that area today?
Day 2: Knowing the Shepherd’s Voice Amid Competing Voices
In a world filled with countless voices vying for our attention—media, culture, even well-meaning people—Jesus calls us to know and follow His voice above all others. He warns that there are many false shepherds, but only one true Shepherd who knows us by name and leads us to safety and life. Just as sheep learn to recognize and trust their shepherd’s voice, we are called to cultivate a relationship with Jesus through His Word, prayer, and fellowship with other believers, so that we are not easily led astray. Filtering every voice through the truth of Scripture keeps us anchored in the care of the Good Shepherd. [21:58]
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 is one practical step you can take today to tune out a distracting or misleading voice and intentionally listen for Jesus’ voice through Scripture or prayer?
Day 3: Comfort in the Valley—God’s Presence in Our Hardship
Even when we walk through the darkest valleys—seasons of fear, uncertainty, or suffering—we do not have to be overcome by fear, because our Shepherd is with us. David’s confidence was not in the absence of danger, but in the presence of God, whose rod and staff provide both protection and guidance. The comfort God offers is not the promise of a trouble-free life, but the assurance that He walks with us, defends us, and leads us through every trial. In Christ, we can face hardship with calm and composure, knowing that our Shepherd never abandons us. [26:46]
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 face fear or uncertainty, what would it look like for you to rest in the comfort of God’s presence rather than seeking comfort in temporary things?
Day 4: Abundant Life Through Submitting to the Shepherd
True freedom and abundant life are found not in following our own way, but in submitting to the care and authority of Jesus, the Good Shepherd. While the world promises fulfillment through self-direction, Jesus teaches that entering through Him—the door—brings salvation, security, and the freedom to flourish under His protection. Submitting to His leadership may require surrendering certain “freedoms,” but it leads to a life that is truly abundant, safe, and purposeful. The Shepherd’s boundaries are not restrictive cages, but the loving care that allows us to thrive. [30:44]
John 10:7-10 (ESV)
So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
Reflection: What is one area where you are hesitant to submit to Jesus’ leadership, and how might trusting Him as your Shepherd bring you greater freedom and life?
Day 5: The Good Shepherd’s Sacrifice and Our Eternal Hope
Jesus, the Good Shepherd, laid down His life for the sheep—willingly, sacrificially, and with deep love—so that we might be redeemed and welcomed into God’s eternal family. His care is not temporary or conditional, but eternal and unwavering. Through His death and resurrection, He prepares a place for us, inviting us to dwell with Him forever. Our hope is not just for today, but for all eternity, as we are promised a seat at His table and a home in His presence. This assurance calls us to treasure His eternal promise above the fleeting pleasures and voices of this world. [38:03]
John 10:14-18 (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. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”
Reflection: How does knowing that Jesus laid down His life for you and is preparing an eternal home for you shape the way you approach your priorities and decisions this week?
Quotes
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