“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. ” Psalm 23:1-3 

Psalm 23

The story goes of a small, private dinner gathering of half a dozen noted actors in Hollywood. One of the actors brought an unknown guest to dinner.

One by one in succession around the table, each actor recited a few lines from one of his most well-known movie scripts. As each actor finished his lines, a round of polite applause was given. The last actor who brought the guest was not as well known.

As he completed his brief recital, his unknown guest paused deeply and began to slowly and deliberately recite the same 23rd Psalm. Tears welled up in his eyes as he carefully delivered each meaningful verse. All the dinner party guests could tell that the words came from a place of emotional depth in his heart. When he finished, there was neither applause or words exchanged. Everyone sat in awe and silence. To him, the scripture was not a recital. It was a personal message that God had impressed upon his heart. After a few short moments, the man who brought the unknown guest whispered tenderly, “I knew the Psalm, but you know The Shepherd.”

1.  “ The Lord is my Shepherd… ” David writes with an enviable personal connection to the heart of his Shepherd.
   How do the first five words of this Psalm touch your heart today?
2. Psalm23:2 –“ He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters .”
   What does this verse say about God’s tender care for you?
3. Psalm23:3 -“ He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. ”
   How does Jesus “restore your soul”?
   How does He guide you in the path of righteousness?
4. Psalm 23:4-6–“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I 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 have anointed my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
   While living in an evil, hurtful world and facing the certainty of death some day, how do these words of assurance bring peace to your life today?
5. John16:33 –“ These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
   Describe a difficult circumstance you are facing today and the way your Shepherd is bringing you peace in the midst of those challenges?
6. John14:16&17 -“I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.”
   What is the Holy Spirit’s role in bringing you comfort and bravery in the midst of the hurts, worries and difficulties that you face each day?

“For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you.” –  John13:15

From today’s scripture, how does THE Shepherd inspire you to shepherd your flock?

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4

Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication