The Good Shepherd: Devotions Inspired by Psalm 23预览

God, Our Protector 

By Andrew Morris 

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV) 

When I was about ten years old, my family moved to a new neighborhood where my younger brother began to be harassed by a neighborhood bully. When my brother rode his bike around the neighborhood, the instigator would chase him, trying to make him fall. Since we were new to the area, this neighborhood menace was unaware of one important piece of information: our older brother knew karate. Okay, not really, but we did watch a lot of kung fu theater on Saturday afternoons, so that counts. When my older brother found out what was going on, he went into protective-big-brother mode and put a swift end to the bully’s harassment using said martial arts skills. 

I’ll never forget the moment my older brother sprang into action without hesitation and fear. He deeply cared about protecting our younger brother and carrying out justice. The bully suffered some minor embarrassment and a swollen left eye, and from then on, my younger brother rode his bike with new confidence and security. As time passed, the bully reformed his ways, and my brothers and I became good friends with him. 

For adults, life is often much more complicated. We face different kinds of bullies, and we fight different kinds of battles. We stand toe to toe with an enemy who wants nothing more than to inflict as much pain and suffering as possible. But as followers of Christ, we can go through life with confidence and security, knowing our Protector is faithful and strong. 

Psalm 121:5–8 (NLT) provides us with this encouragement: “The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night. The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.” 

You are valuable to God, and He protects what is valuable to Him. That doesn’t mean we won’t face challenges or suffer loss, but when we do, we can trust God is with us, and with His comfort, strength, and peace, we can keep pedaling forward. 

Psalm 91:1–7 (NIV) is a great reminder of this: “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’ Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.” 

Later in the Psalm, the Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them” (Psalm 91:14–15, NLT). When we put God first and walk in the path He sets before us, we walk under His provision, power, and protection. 

God, our Protector, does not promise us a pain-free life, but He does promise to never leave us or forsake us. Today, I want to encourage you to believe the truth that God is with you, deeply cares about you, and desires good for you. 

PRAYER 

Lord, thank You for Your love and protection over my life. As I walk hand in hand with You, let me walk with confidence and security knowing You love me and watch over me. As I acknowledge Your name in all things, I trust You will be with me in times of trouble and deliver me from every snare set before me. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

FOR FURTHER REFLECTION    

• Read the verses for further study and pray for a deeper understanding of God’s love for you. When we have a better understanding of how He values us as His children, our confidence in His protection grows.    
• Ask the Lord to show you how to live according to Psalm 91:14–15. When we love the Lord and acknowledge His name, the Word says He will rescue us, protect us, and answer when we call.    
• Take time to thank God for His continued protection over you. There is no way to know how many times during our lives God has rescued us from dangerous situations we were unaware of.    
• Remind yourself of the truth that God loves, values, and watches over you.

Holy Spirit, what are You saying to me today?

MEMORY VERSE

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4