Chapter 1 · Encounter 2 of 48

The Shepherd's Care

Prepare

Long before Jesus called himself the Good Shepherd, David described the Lord as my shepherd. Psalm 23 is familiar to many of us, but familiarity can sometimes cause us to overlook what is actually there. Read it slowly, noticing the different ways David describes the Shepherd's care. Then consider how Jesus draws upon this picture in John 10.

Read Scripture

Open each passage here without leaving this Encounter.

Ponder

Look closely at the different scenes in Psalm 23. What does the Shepherd provide, where does he lead, and what does he do when the surroundings become dangerous? What kind of life does David seem to envision under the Shepherd's care?
Jesus says he came so that his sheep might have life abundantly and then describes himself as the Shepherd who lays down his life for them. How do these words deepen or perhaps challenge your understanding of the life David describes? Where might your own expectations of God's care differ from these pictures?

Look Again

Did you notice that the psalm begins by describing God as he but in the valley David begins addressing him as you (verse 4)?

What might be significant about that change? Consider how the language of the psalm becomes more personal precisely when the path grows darker.

Practice

Choose a phrase from Psalm 23 that especially speaks to you today. Carry it with you, returning to it at several ordinary moments—perhaps while driving, taking a break, or preparing for bed.

Rather than simply recalling the words, pause to remember the Shepherd whose care they describe.

Prayer

Thank the Shepherd for the ways he provides, restores, and guides you. Talk with him honestly about the places where the path ahead feels uncertain or difficult. Ask him to deepen your trust in his goodness and to help you recognize his presence and care, even when the way leads through dark valleys.