Slideshow image

Read the first three verses of the 23rd Psalm look at the Shepherd and count the verbs.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. (Psalm 23:1-3) 

He is. He makes. He leads. He restores. He leads again. These actions, they all are accomplished by the shepherd.

Now read those verses again, look at the sheep, ask what they are doing and what they contribute to these verses. The work of the sheep is to be cared for by the shepherd. They aren’t discovering water, finding food, restoring themselves or searching out the right path. That is what the Shepherd does! 

Are you trying to fill the roll of the shepherd in your life? Are you trying to find what nourishes and refreshes? Are you seeking your own path?

Now, at the beginning you may have noticed that there is one statement about us.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. (Psalm 23:1)

These words, “I shall not want" of verse 1 are not a command to suppress our desires, they are a realization that in the care of the Shepherd nothing we need is missing.

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

Check out Sunday’s Sermon: He restores my soul | Summer at College Park: Refreshed, Restored, Renewed