Wednesday, June 17, 2026

Opening Scripture

He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. Isaiah 40:11

Opening Prayer

Most Merciful God, I confess that I have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what I have done, and by what I have left undone. I have not loved you with my whole heart; I have not loved my neighbors as myself. I am truly sorry, and I humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on me and forgive me, that I may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your name. Amen.

Daily Bible Reading

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, 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 your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Reflection  

Today’s passage is arguably the most well-known text in the Bible. The powerful imagery of Almighty God lovingly serving as our Good Shepherd is rich in meaning and comfort. While shepherding is unfamiliar to most of us, it was very familiar to the people who first heard this psalm.

Shepherding in the ancient world was challenging and burdensome. Protecting the sheep from predators and providing food and water day after day for an entire flock was an exhausting and demanding job, made even more difficult by the sheep’s lack of intelligence. Well-fed and free from danger, sheep tend to wander off.

Of course, this psalm reminds us of Jesus’ fourth “I AM” saying in John’s gospel: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” Jesus declared that He is the Good Shepherd. He has an intimate relationship with His sheep. They know His voice, and they come to Him. He protects them from harm and ultimately lays down His life for them. “They follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.” What a powerful promise!

Jesus’ parable of the “lost sheep” in Luke 15 speaks to the personal nature of the Lord’s concern for each one of us. “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’”

Psalm 23 paints a beautiful picture of God’s loving care for his people. Even in times of difficulty and danger, He will not abandon us. He is completely willing and fully able to protect and provide for us, even in the presence of our enemies.

And as the psalmist joyfully declares, this most satisfying and blessed of relationships will last forever, not based on our faithfulness, but His.

Flourishing Habit

Flourishing Christians

If we’re not careful, we can rush past the profound opening statement in this familiar passage. David offers a succinct, “mic-drop” testimony that summarizes the rest of the psalm: “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.”

As our Opening Scripture from the prophet Isaiah confirms, Almighty God is a tender, compassionate Shepherd who is not only all-powerful, but deeply personal and attentive. God daily tends His people like a shepherd cares for his flock.

“He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart.” This is a comforting picture of divine affection as God embraces the weakest and most defenseless of His people to protect them from danger.

“He gently leads those that have young.” God knows the extra burdens that His people bear. A shepherd knows that a mother sheep, who is pregnant or nursing, can easily be pushed beyond her physical limits. God accommodates our individual seasons of weakness and exhaustion, guiding us at a pace we can handle, without overwhelming us.

Imagine yourself as a sheep in God’s flock. The LORD is your Shepherd. You lack nothing. He knows you personally. He takes great joy in providing for you. He wants to lead you to green pastures. He wants to guide you beside still waters. He wants to refresh your soul. He wants to give you His peace.

Psalm 23 insists that God’s perfect goodness and complete sufficiency warrant your total trust. He alone is able to provide for all of your needs. Do you believe that?

Do you take great pleasure and joy in your relationship with God?

Do you find your greatest peace and fulfillment in Him?

“God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him.” John Piper

Remember: Nothing changes until something changes!