DEVOTIONAL

The Lord is My Shepherd

David doesn’t begin this psalm with theology at arm’s length—he begins with a deeply personal confession: “The Lord is my shepherd.” This isn’t the voice of mere religion, but of relationship. The God who formed galaxies and parted seas is not only sovereign—He is near. He knows His sheep. He calls them by name. And David, once a shepherd himself, knew exactly what this meant: complete dependence.

To call the Lord your Shepherd is to admit you are a sheep—vulnerable, wandering, needy. But in the same breath, it is to rejoice that you are not left to yourself. You are led. You are fed. You are watched over. The Shepherd assumes full responsibility for His flock.

And so David continues: “I shall not want.” This isn’t about having everything you desire—it’s about lacking nothing you truly need. The Lord provides. The Shepherd never fails. In green pastures or shadowed valleys, He gives enough grace for each step. He withholds no good thing from those who are His.

For us, the full beauty of this verse is found in Jesus, who said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep” (John 10:11). Christ didn’t just lead us—He bled for us. He went after the lost, carried us home, and even now He intercedes, protects, and leads His people until we dwell in His house forever.

So today, you may be weary, anxious, or unsure of what’s next. But if Christ is your Shepherd, you are not alone—and you will never be forsaken.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, my Good Shepherd, thank You for calling me by name and making me Your own. I confess how easily I wander, and how quick I am to look elsewhere for satisfaction. But You lead me back. You provide what I need, even when I don’t understand Your ways. Teach me to trust Your voice, follow Your lead, and rest in Your care. Thank You that because You are my Shepherd, I shall not want.
Amen.