DAY 4: Psalm 23-the shepherd who lays down his life
REFLECTION
Psalm 23 is perhaps the most familiar of all psalms, but it is not sentimental poetry. It is a declaration of confidence in a God who leads, protects, and restores His people (v.1-3). David pictures God as the Shepherd who provides everything His sheep need. Green pastures and still waters speak of rest, nourishment, and safety. The Shepherd restores the soul. He brings life where there is exhaustion and despair.
Yet the psalm is honest. The Shepherd does not lead His people around the “valley of the shadow of death” but through it. The promise is not the absence of danger but the presence of God in the midst of it. “You are with me” is the centre and turning point of the psalm.
Would you rather have the mountaintop experience without God, or the dark valley with him?
His rod (a weapon) and staff (used to guide and direct) are in his hands. He protects and leads us. He is the host who prepares and serves us in the midst of difficulty and trouble (v.5), And Goodness and mercy pursue us unrelentingly (v.6)
Jesus identifies Himself as the Good Shepherd in John 10. He is the One who knows His sheep, calls them by name, and lays down His life for them. His shepherding heart is revealed most clearly at the cross. How does the presence of God help me when I am in darkness? In this way, Jesus walked through the ultimate valley of the shadow of death, the darkness of condemnation and hell, so we can have a relationship with God despite our failure and sin.
This psalm invites us to trust His leadership. To let Him set the pace. To follow rather than control. To believe that even the paths we would never choose are held within the care of the Great Shepherd. God will bring us one day to dwell with him forever.
GOSPEL READING
John 10:1–18: (NIV)
“Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.
7 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.[a] They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
Where do you most need the Shepherd’s leading or reassurance today?
What “valley” are you walking through, and how might Jesus be present in ways you have not yet noticed?
Are you trying to run ahead of the Shepherd? What would it look like to slow your pace and let Him lead?
PRACTICING SURRENDER
Pray Psalm 23 slowly, pausing after each line. Picture the Good Shepherd beside you. Offer Him one decision, fear, or situation and ask, “Lead me, Lord Jesus.”
The Lord's Prayer
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and forever.
Amen.
