Good Shepherd 3-Day Devotional With Andrea OlsonSample

We cannot complete our journey through Psalm 23 together before we learn a little more about Shepherds. Did you know that to shepherd means to watch over closely? Amid this noisy world, you have a friend and supporter who watches over you closely! What more could we need?

I believe something interesting about sheep and shepherds is worth mentioning here. Sheep know and trust the voice of their shepherd. There could be chaos, but they have spent their lives close to their shepherd, and he is a trusted friend. His voice calms them. The sheep know his voice and follow him because he represents safety. He has a proven track record of always caring for the sheep, so they have no reason not to trust him.

What a striking parallel to our walk with the Lord. It causes me to pause and wonder. Am I living that close to my Savior? Am I tethered to my Good Shepherd in all things so that no matter what, I hear Him because I know His voice?

The second verse from Good Shepherd says:

Your Goodness follows me forever

Your Mercy chases after me

So I don’t have to fear the future

Your Presence is my perfect peace

And the bridge says:

Anywhere You lead I will follow

Anywhere You call I will go

Because I know who’s holding tomorrow

Yes I know. Yes I know.

He has a perfect track record. We have no reason not to trust Him (not now or ever). Because He is good. That doesn’t mean we won’t face struggles in our lives. But it does mean we don’t have to fear the future because we have everything we need to walk through our struggles while dwelling in His Presence.

My hope and prayer for you as you complete this devotional is that you first walk away with a deeper understanding of the relationship that God desires to have with you and with some tools to continue your journey with Him. And second, a reminder that He really is this good. So good that you can trust anywhere He leads. And finally, there is no better way to spend your time than pausing in His Presence. There, you find the fullness of all He is.

As it says in the final verse of Psalm 23 in The Passion Translation, “So, why would I fear the future? Only goodness and tender love pursue me all the days of my life. Then afterward, when my life is through, I’ll return to your glorious presence to be forever with you!”

I am so grateful that I don’t have to fear the future. As we close our time together, grab your journal and write down the things you are thankful for today. Focus on the attributes of God you have seen uniquely displayed in your life recently, and thank Him for it.

If you find yourself at a loss for words, open up your Bible to Psalm 23 and read through all six verses in The Passion Translation as a prayer of declaration and thanksgiving over your life.

And remember this, friend: stay tethered to the Good Shepherd. He has everything you need.