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. 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
“The Lord is my shepherd; I have what I need.” —Psalm 23:1
Our
You were created with
“Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper corresponding to him.” —Genesis 2:18
Your needs point you to
“I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me, just as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. I lay down my life for the sheep.” —John 10:14-15
“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.” —Psalms 23:1-4
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights.” —James 1:17
“It is the experience of this dark and foreboding valley that has led the palmist to a deeper and fuller experience the Shepherd.” —Eugene Peterson
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” —Psalm 23:5
God’s goodness, mercy, and faithful love
“Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life…” —Psalm 23:6
“To perceive God’s love as pursuing rather than begrudged deepens our ability to trust.” —Howard Macy
“I will dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I live.” —Psalm 23:6
“God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance.” —Romans 2:4
Can you see God’s pursuit and respond by faith?
“You are my Lord; I have nothing good besides you…Lord, you are my portion and my cup of blessing; you hold my future. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. I will bless the Lord who counsels me — even at night when my thoughts trouble me. I always let the Lord guide me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my whole being rejoices; my body also rests securely…You reveal the path of life to me; in your presence is abundant joy; at your right hand are eternal pleasures.” —Psalms 16:1-11; selections
For further study:
Scripture: Psalm 4, 11, 16, 27, 62, 131
Resources: “Psalms 1-72” by Derek Kinder
Community Group Guide:
Read Psalm 23; retell the psalm.
Does it seem right that God created us to creatures with needs?
What has God taught you be meeting your needs?
How has God met your needs through the “dark valleys?”
Through your needs, can you see God’s good, merciful, loving pursuit?
To prepare for next week: The Valley of Dry Bones; Ezekiel 37:1-14