The LORD Is My Shepherd…

Don’t you feel guilty when it happens? And for so many of us, it seems to happen so often. But can we be honest with others about it? Can we be honest with God about it? Or do we keep living in our self-made prisons of pride, guilt, and shame?

What is it?

Worry.

We are told in Scripture not to be anxious about anything (Philippians 4.6-7). So, we respond to that verse by being extra vigilant against worry while not understanding what being vigilant against worry looks like. We tell ourselves and others, “Don’t worry about it.” But is that effective? Does that accomplish anything that is lasting when it comes to worry? If we are honest, it only makes us think more about what we’re worried about and the fact that we are worried about not worrying about that thing that we’re thinking about not worrying about.

So what do we do?

I believe David said it perfectly in one sentence that many of us who have been walking with the Lord have heard many times.

“The LORD is my shepherd; I have what I need.” – Psalm 23.1 (CSB)

This is where our fight against worry starts. It doesn’t start with our abilities to overcome or keen insight into situations, both how to think and work through them. Rather, it starts with who God is. And this does not only apply only to our fight against worry. It can be applied to our level of contentment with what we have or who we currently are. It can be applied to our hope for freedom from addictions and insecurities. Whatever we are facing and fighting against, we do not start with ourselves and our abilities but rather with God and who he is.

Let’s say it together with David: “The LORD is my shepherd.”

The LORD. The pre-existent and self-existent one who is dependent on no one and nothing. The covenant keeping God, who is our provider, protector, and sustainer. God who is all-powerful and all-knowing. He has no rival or equal. He sits enthroned above all that is.

The LORD is my shepherd. He is the one who watches over us. Picture the shepherd, sun-marked skin and earth-worn hands, leaning against his shepherd’s staff throughout the night, keeping watch over his flock in the darkness, ready to fight back anything that would come to hurt his sheep. Think of his heart for each sheep in his care.

The LORD is OUR SHEPHERD! And because of that, we can then say as we exhale from a place of comfort, rest, and peace: “I have what I need.” Try it. Try to read that one sentence at the pace of one breath, but slowly.

• Inhale: “The LORD is my shepherd.”
• Exhale: “I have what I need.”

Since the LORD is our shepherd, we can then trust that our shepherd will be good to us. What will God, as our shepherd, do? Read the rest of the psalm:

The LORD is my shepherd; I have what I need. He lets me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside quiet waters. He renews my life; he leads me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, 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 anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. – Psalm 23.1-5 (CSB)

And as we think through all the ways that the LORD has done all of these things, we can respond in the same way that David closes this well-known psalm:

Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD as long as I live. – Psalm 23.6 (CSB)

So slow down. Take a breath. And repeat these words: “The LORD is my shepherd; I have what I need.”

Not feeling any different? Say it again. Slow down and repeat it, allowing the Holy Spirit to bring you comfort, hope, and peace.

The LORD is my shepherd; I have what I need…