Psalm 23 | I Shall Not WantSample

I received my first copy of Phillip Keller's A Shepherd's Look at Psalm 23 as a high school graduate. If I'm being transparent, I was grateful but this wasn't the type of grad gift I was hoping for. I needed bath towels, fun decor for my college dorm room, even spending money! It wasn’t until I got a month or two into my new season as a college student and began to scramble for anything that God could steady me with that I realized the value of this beautifully simple, yet complex, perspective on the famous writings of psalmist David.

As we begin our journey through Psalm 23, I want to remind you that this is a safe place. And when you find some quiet moments along the way, I want to encourage you to read Psalms 23 and require yourself to stop, Selah, after every verse or two. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal something fresh to you…something fresh that is just for you. Throughout this series, I hope you'll be reminded of how cared for our Good Shepherd truly wants you to feel on the regular.

When David wrote this psalm, he wasn’t relishing in abundance, propping his feet up in the palace. David was truly in the valley of the shadow of death – it’s possible there was a death warrant on his head, and if so, it was from his son. His spirit was low. Yet, he spoke of peace in the valley because he knew the Good Shepherd.

Perhaps you're not facing a death warrant today, but it's possible that circumstances, people you love, those you work with, people you used to love make you want to run for the cave yourself! It is in these moments where we must discover, or re-discover, the closeness of the One who will never leave us nor forsake us (Deut 31:6).

Let's start today by just reading through Psalm 23. Read all six verses, one by one, perhaps in a different translation or paraphrase than you typically use. Don't rush. Breathe deeply as you read each verse---if possible, out loud. While you may not feel as confident as David did on the day he penned these beautiful verses, allow yourself to believe them again. Soon enough, I believe you'll embrace his sentiments for yourself and recognize: this psalm isn't just for funeral services or framed art at Grandma's house. This is for my daily living.

--Bridgette Tomlin