The Good Shepherd: Devotions Inspired by Psalm 23Sample

Where Discontentment Goes to Die 

By Joe Jones 

I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. Philippians 4:12 (NLT) 

Life is full of surprises. Some are good and make us smile while others punch us in the gut and take our breath away. In 2020, during the early stages of the COVID-19 invasion, my life changed dramatically when my dad was suddenly taken away. My expectations, desires, and hopes were ransacked—and it wasn’t because of anything I or my dad had done. His life was stolen by a thief no one was ready for. 

Discontentment is defined as “unhappiness caused by the failure of one’s hopes, desires, or expectations.” That is much too weak a word to describe what I was feeling and what changed that day. I remember going to Psalm 23 because it is known as the comfort Scripture, and I had used it countless times while officiating funerals over the years. When I read, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want,” I froze. I had some huge wants. I wanted my dad back. I wanted my mom to have her husband. I wanted our family to be like it was before all of this happened. I knew the Lord was in control, but unhappiness and pain weren’t just winning the day—they had stolen the trophy. I was asking myself all kinds of questions. Can I fill this unhappy place with enough happiness to change it? Can I fix everything for Mom and the rest of our family? I couldn’t. I was unable to breathe. 

That’s when the Lord took me to Philippians 4:11–13 where Paul talks about learning how to find contentment regardless of his circumstances. That’s what I needed. But was it even possible? 

Suddenly a verse from that passage jumped out to me. I knew it well, but it had escaped my thoughts during this devastating time: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). I knew in my head it was true, but in that season of grief and shock, I wasn’t experiencing the truth of it in my heart. The questions continued flooding my mind. Can I live life without those loving conversations with my dad? What about Mom and all she misses after being married to Dad for 63 years—can she learn how to be content? Will our family ever be truly happy again? The answer was emphatically “no”—if it were just up to us. But Paul identifies another source for our strength and our contentment. He points us to God, our Shepherd—the one who loves us unconditionally and gives us strength when the world takes all of ours away. 

Because of COVID-19 restrictions, we weren’t able to have a regular funeral and celebrate Dad’s life with all his family and friends like we had always imagined. It was just my mom, my brother and sister and their families, and a few personal friends. But having the Marine Corps honor my dad with a military send-off and present my mom with a folded flag unexpectedly turned out to be such a sweet blessing. My heart was being massaged by God’s goodness and grace, and Mom could see and feel His love washing over her. 

I could say I don’t know how we made it through the initial pain, but in reality, I do. I could say grief is impossible to endure, but I know from personal experience that it isn’t. We walk through every single day because Jesus Christ gives us strength when ours is gone. And His strength is perfect. 

Now I know that discontentment of any kind goes to die in the arms of Jesus. He gives us hope and goes above and beyond any expectations we may have (Ephesians 3:20). And when we start to find our joy and delight in the Lord (Psalm 37:4) our hearts’ desires begin to reflect His. When we are wrapped in His arms, we find peace and contentment because we have the promise of eternity with Him. 

Is there anyone or anything you are missing in your life? Maybe you too are asking the question, “Can I possibly find happiness again?” The answer is yes because the joy of the Lord is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10). And the strength of the Lord is your joy. We don’t need anything else! 

PRAYER 

Lord, thank You for always guiding me to the thoughts and things that are best for me. Thank You for restoring Your joy to me and showing me that Your strength is perfect. Help me to lean into You for hope when my hope is failing. Your strength is my joy! In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

FOR FURTHER REFLECTION   

• Take a moment today to picture yourself placing your discontentment in the arms of Jesus.   
• Allow the Lord to teach you how to delight in His presence, so He can place new desires in your heart.   
• Let the Lord’s oil of gladness wash over you, so you feel His joy becoming your strength.   
• Thank the Lord for showing you how to be content with Him, no matter what life may bring you.

Holy Spirit, what are You saying to me today?

MEMORY VERSE

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. Psalm 23:1