Beside Quiet Waters: Psalm 23Sample

The LORD is my shepherd

When I think about it, the highlights of my days in this season most likely come off as small or inconsequential to the average person. The baby learned how to use a spoon today! The toddler didn’t throw a tantrum when asked to share his toys! As parents, life for us these days is most likely filled with an assortment of mundane activities such as diaper changes, school drop-offs, and toy clean-ups. Perhaps some days, you feel like your only accomplishment is that you kept everyone alive!

But while many of our moments in this season might often feel small, we must not forget that they are embodied by our big and great God.

In Psalm 23, the Psalmist David refers to God as “LORD,” a name that was Israel’s covenantal name for God. Similar to a legal contract but much more personal, the covenant was the means by which God united himself to the people of Israel. By using God’s covenantal name, David is appropriating language for himself that applied to the nation as a whole. In doing so, he is laying hold of the personal nature of God, claiming God not only as Israel’s God but as his God.

David also refers to God as his shepherd. In other Psalms, David uses more distant metaphors for God, such as “king” or “deliverer.” A shepherd, however, has an intimate role. He lives with his flock and is everything to his sheep. He guides them, protects them, and provides for them.

Just as he was for David, the LORD is your shepherd as well. God is not too busy governing the universe from above, but rather, he draws near as your God. Jesus demonstrated this reality when he came down from heaven and took on our humanity. He identified with us when he died for us on the cross. The resurrected Christ is your shepherd, guiding, protecting, and providing for you in every moment. Today, remember that in every seemingly small or mundane activity, your great God is with you.