Today Daily Devotional

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me. . . .”

— John 10:14

When Jesus, the Son of God, came to live and teach among us, he picked up on the imagery of Psalm 23 and told all who would hear, “I am the good shepherd.” Jesus came to us as the Lord God in the flesh, declaring that he was there to shepherd God’s people and lead them home to the Father. He moved into our world, our neighborhood, and reminded everyone of what the Lord our shepherd had been doing all along: guiding us, pursuing us, and calling us back to him. The Lord’s sheep began to recognize God in his Son and to follow him.

Jesus made a strong connection to the work that his Father had already been doing, highlighting that his close relationship with the Father informed how he would save, guard, and protect the Lord’s sheep.

When we read the accounts of Jesus’ life and ministry in the Bible, we see Jesus gathering his flock, walking among God’s people, and getting to know them. He teaches them and models what it looks like to do the will of his Father so that they can live God’s way as well. Like the shepherd in Psalm 23, he lives among God’s sheep and leads them to the one thing they need: a renewed relationship with the Lord, who calls them to live in abundance and full life forever with him.

In what ways have you found that the good shepherd knows you?

Lord Jesus, thank you for showing us God’s love and how to live for him. May we hear your voice in your Word and by your Spirit. Amen.

You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession. . . .

— 1 Peter 2:9

Remembering that priests and prophets and kings were anointed as confirmation of their special callings, we need to take our calling as God’s sheep seriously. The apostle Peter points out the high calling that is on our lives as “the people of God.” We are “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, . . . God’s special possession.” Called to kingly and queenly service, we are to lead in the same manner as the great high King, the Lord Almighty. We are to radiate God’s excellent attributes to the world through our leadership as parents, in our workplaces, in our communities, and everywhere else.

As priests, we are called to pray for a broken world, bringing that brokenness to the one who can heal. Priests also represent God to the world and invite people who don’t recognize the shepherd to gain a glimpse of his love and mercy in our own lives.

Peter also uses the word holy, meaning that we are set apart for this valuable work for the sake of the Lord’s lost sheep. Our purpose in all of this is to share with others the good news and the great works of the Lord who has called us “out of darkness into his wonderful light.” Each one of us is a living picture of the shepherd’s mercy and grace, equipped to invite others to the best way to live.

What is one concrete way in which you can live into your high calling today?

Lord, help us to radiate your goodness in the world. By our words and actions may we reflect the light of your love. Amen.

You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor.

— Psalm 8:5

Earlier this month (July 2) I mentioned that I wasn’t so sure I liked being compared to a sheep, as in Psalm 23. But even though it’s not very flattering for us to be called sheep, we can be assured that the Lord our shepherd dearly loves and treasures us.

Psalm 8, which is also attributed to David, reminds us that God values us human beings so highly that he has “crowned [us] with glory and honor.” At creation we were anointed with glory and commissioned to the important work of partnering with God in caring for and tending to his creation. We have been given a high calling, and in order to live into that calling we are best served by following our Lord and shepherd well.

Just as the Lord’s leadership blesses us and guides us into flourishing, we are invited to do the same with all of creation and all the creatures and people we engage with. To others who may feel lost, alone, or abandoned, we have the opportunity to extend the great care that our shepherd has given us.

How does the truth of your own high calling affect how you will live today?

Lord, help us today and every day to live into the great calling you have placed on our lives. Fill us with your love and care, we pray, and surround us with other followers of your way who can support and encourage us. Amen.

You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

— Psalm 23:5

This line in Psalm 23 picks up on an interesting tidbit about the shepherd’s care for his sheep. Shepherds will use oil on a sheep’s head to keep pesky bugs away and to help protect the animal’s skin from the sun.

The psalmist David’s phrasing here also points symbolically to anointing as a calling or commissioning that comes from God. Anointing a person’s head with oil was very significant in ancient Israel. David himself was anointed with oil when God chose him to be the king of Israel (1 Samuel 16:1-13). Prophets and priests were also anointed with oil (see Exodus 29:9; 1 Kings 19:15-16). And these anointings included more than just a few drops on the recipient’s head. Psalm 133 describes the anointing oil as “running down on the beard” and dripping onto the collar of a person’s robe. This picture describes something of the lavish blessing and equipping that God bestows on his dedicated servants.

When David says his cup overflows, he is referring to the lavishness of the shepherd’s care and protection. The psalmist is overwhelmed by the goodness of God, despite the foolishness and wandering of his beloved sheep.

In what ways are you experiencing God’s lavish care?

Generous Shepherd, fill our minds and hearts with memories of the many ways you care for and provide for us, watching over us always. We are grateful for the lavish abundance of your care. Amen.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.

— Psalm 23:5

One of my favorite sights is to see pets and other animals playing in the spring when plants and trees are blossoming and green again. I imagine this is also the case for sheep after a long hike from a well-grazed pasture to a fresh one with lots of lush, green grass.

I have read that before the sheep can frolic in a new space, their shepherds must check through the pasture in case there might be holes that could cause a sheep to stumble and break a leg or where poisonous snakes might be hiding. Shepherds apparently spread a stinky oil near those holes so that the sheep stay away from them and snakes can’t make use of them.

Are there any hidden dangers we might encounter as the Lord’s sheep today? Could there be “rabbit holes” we go down as we scroll through our phone and computer screens? And what about messages in advertising and social media that imply we are not enough or don’t have enough? What tools does the Lord our shepherd have for those situations?

First, God provides us with his Word, which is also accessible on our phones today. The Bible reminds us who God is and that we belong to him alone. Second, there is the community of believers we can depend on to remind us of these things and to support us.

In what ways have you engaged these resources lately?

Thank you, Lord, for going ahead of us into the scary places and situations in our lives, keeping us safe and secure in your care. Amen.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

— Psalm 23:4

The psalm writer, King David of Israel, provides here a lasting testimony of being comforted by the Lord.

Many years after the reign of David, however, destruction came to Israel and Jerusalem. The people faced terrible losses because their kings and other leaders had wandered after the gods of other nations. They had chosen pathways other than the right ones God had set for them. Yet despite the people’s calamity and being taken into exile, the prophet Jeremiah in that day made a declaration of faith and hope: “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23). In a way like the psalmist, Jeremiah pointed out that the people could find comfort in God’s faithfulness.

There is evil in the world, and there are sinful things that we do, going contrary to the guidance of the Lord our shepherd. And as we learn from the testimony of God’s sheep throughout the ages, we can be comforted that the good shepherd does not abandon us in our sin and waywardness. His pursuing grace doesn’t give up on us. God is faithful even when we are not.

In our lives today we need to hear this message as well. We will not be consumed because God is faithful!

Lord, remind us of your faithfulness in all the times of our lives. Amen.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. . . .

— Psalm 23:4

As we noted earlier (July 4), Psalm 23 is attributed to King David. In this part of the psalm, David may be recalling not only his own shepherding days but also times when he was pursued by the armies of King Saul, who wanted to kill him. In both situations David would have traveled through wadis (small canyon-like places) that remained dark even in daylight. These could be dangerous places where animal or human predators would hide in wait, especially for lonely travelers. Yet sometimes a wadi provided the only route to fresh water and greener pastures.

Some translations of this text call this the “valley of the shadow of death” because there are so many possible dangers. A lost lamb has no defenses, but the shepherd carries a rod or stick to ward off predators and a long staff with a hooked end to grab a lamb that may have fallen into danger or to snatch a sheep out of harm’s way. The wadi is not a place where one would want to travel alone.

Though we may not live near dangerous wadis, the world itself can be a scary place of dark valleys and threats of many kinds. Yet the good news is that we are not abandoned or alone. Our shepherd is with us always.

In what situations have you been comforted by the Lord’s presence?

Lord, at times we can feel as if we are lost in dangerous, dark valleys. Remind us of your presence and protection, we pray. Amen.

He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

— Psalm 23:3

While sheep are not marked in the same way as cattle, they do bear the mark of their owner along with other helpful information that identifies them.

The Lord’s sheep also carry the name of their shepherd. We are God’s beloved sheep, and he gives us the best care “for his name’s sake.” His reputation is reflected in all the ways he cares for us.

What is the Lord our shepherd known for? As God reveals himself throughout his Word, we learn that he is powerful and wise, merciful and all-knowing, faithful and good, gracious and just, loving and trustworthy. God works for the good of his beloved. All of these attributes and more are on display in the way the Lord cares for his sheep.

Our shepherd doesn’t want anyone to wonder if he is a fickle or capricious caregiver. His reputation of constant and consistent care is important because he wants other sheep to join his flock. The care received in his fold is incomparable. Though wandering sheep are tempted by singular self-reliance or by trusting in more earthly things like money, status, or power to see them through, the shepherding Lord wants them to know that his care is best because he knows their needs best and meets them without fail.

The psalmist’s statement here is a declaration of faith because nothing in the shepherd's behavior runs contrary to these truths.

What is your declaration of faith?

Lord, help us to reflect your character and will in all that we do. For your name’s sake, Amen.

He guides me along the right paths. . . .

— Psalm 23:3

The shepherd’s main goal for his sheep is soul care. Our souls suffer when we are running quickly and taking life at a pace that is unsustainable. When we try to chart our own course, we often misjudge the best way forward because we are either impatient for good things to happen or scared that they won’t. The psalm writer trusts that the shepherd is guiding him along the right paths and that these paths will lead to flourishing.

In some Bible versions these are called paths of righteousness, and that means these pathways honor the shepherd. The way of the shepherd is noble, pure, and ethical, reflecting the very character with which he leads the sheep. Following the right pathways is the best way for the sheep to go because that helps others find and walk in the way of the Lord as well.

I can picture the psalm writer reflecting on God’s law, summarized in the Ten Commandments, as the best way to live because it leads to flourishing, full life with God. Loving God and our neighbor is the best way to live, creating shalom (peace) with God and his creation, including all of his creatures. Obeying the Lord, honoring our parents and loved ones, and caring for others and their well-being—all these things lead to living God’s way and bringing peace.

Where are you being led today?

Lord, help us to see that empty promises for a better life do not come from you. Redirect us to your path, which leads to life with you. Amen.

He refreshes my soul.

— Psalm 23:3

There is good profit for the shepherd who takes good care of his sheep. Good care means it is less likely for the sheep to suffer disease or exhaustion. Good care means the sheep will more likely fetch a good price at the market.

But that is not the motivation of the Lord our shepherd. The care of our shepherd is driven by love and mercy and the desire for abundant flourishing.

The psalm writer tells us that the Lord refreshes his soul. The kind of care that the psalmist receives as he follows the one who loves him deeply reaches the depths of his soul. It is the kind of care that reminds him that he belongs to the shepherd. The psalmist knows he is beloved, cherished, and precious.

Our culture tends to commodify people, and that is anxiety producing, often leaving us to wonder about ulterior motives. Social media, for example, often encourages us to present false or aspirational impressions of ourselves so that we will be liked.

The Lord’s beloved, however, are secure in the knowledge that they are dearly loved just as they are. They are confident in the knowledge that they belong to the Lord and have purpose and hope because they are his and no other’s.

In what ways does God’s loving care for you refresh your soul?

Lord, slow us down so that we may take time to meditate on your goodness. We thank you that our souls can be refreshed by spending time in your presence. Amen.