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March 13 Daily Devotional

The Lord Is My Shepherd

Peter G. Feenstra

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. (Ps. 23:1)

Bible Reading

Psalm 23

Devotional

Psalm 23 is a psalm of David and one of the most well-known passages of Holy Scripture. Throughout the centuries believers have found solace in this psalm, especially when experiencing severe personal trials or illness. For some, the words of Psalm 23 are the last they uttered in this life.

The opening statement of Psalm 23 is a beautiful and unconditional confession of faith. Since the covenant God, Yahweh, is David’s Shepherd, he can say with complete certainty, “I shall not want.” With the LORD as his shepherd David knows and is assured that he will never lack what he needs to serve Him.

David’s confession is based on the LORD’s reputation. His care for His church from the beginning of time is most excellent and supreme. The LORD constantly displays His tender mercy and care, His kindness and patience, His unfailing love and faithfulness, His gentleness and discipline throughout Israel’s history. Since the Lord is the shepherd of His people they were given safe passage through the wilderness. They did not lack anything while out in the hot desert. They were there for more than forty years without the conveniences and food they enjoyed in Egypt. Deuteronomy 2:7 summarizes it, “For the LORD your God has blessed you in all the work of your hand. He knows your trudging through this great wilderness. These forty years the LORD your God has been with you; you have lacked nothing.”

Based on the Lord's past deeds of salvation and deliverance, and knowing God’s great faithfulness, David confesses with confidence, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” We, today, can say that with greater certainty, having come to know the LORD in Jesus Christ. All of Scripture shows us how God cares for His people. Being part of the Lord’s flock we can know that the Lord is our personal Shepherd; He will look after us every day anew. With the Lord as my shepherd I will not lack any good thing. He will avert all evil or turn it to my benefit and therefore I may be content with what He gives. Let the opening sentence of Psalm 23 be your creed for life.

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