Scripture
Psalm 23:1–6 (ESV)
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Even 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.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Devotional Reflection
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Here, the psalmist is not describing a lack of desire, but a lack of need. “Because the Lord is my shepherd, there won’t be anything on this journey that I will lack….the Lord will give me everything that I need.” The psalmist paints an unforgettable picture of what it means to lack nothing. He contemplates green pastures that provide nourishment and rest. Still waters that bring peace and restoration. Good paths on which to walk. Signs of the Lord’s bountiful provision. But note the why. Why does the shepherd provide his sheep with all these good things? The psalmist tells us that it is all “for the sake of his name.” The shepherd’s faithful care for his sheep is intricately tied to his own name. He prepares the path ahead not because he is a hired hand, but because he is a good shepherd. His name is a statement about his character. Because he is a good shepherd. Because he is my shepherd. Because he acts for the sake of his own name. On the basis of his name, I know that I can trust him to be my provider.
When you were baptized the Good Shepherd put his name upon you. He called you his little lamb. He gave you the right to say “the Lord is now my shepherd.” He gave you the promise that—no matter where he leads you—he has already gone ahead. Preparing the path. Providing for your needs. Remember how Luther explains the first article of the creed? God makes me and all creatures and then he gives me the kitchen sink! Everything that I need to sustain this body and life. Why? “All this He does out of fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me.” For the sake of his name. Not because of who I am. Because of who he is. Holy Baptism is the mark emblazoned on your forehead and upon your breast that you are not a wandering or lost sheep. The shepherd has claimed you. He will provide—no matter where the path leads.
Image Description (AI Prompt)
Craft a detailed and realistic image showcasing a single sheep lying down at a distance from a pool of still water, with the clear blue sky reflected on the water's surface. The scene is set within a vast, green pasture, rich with a diversity of wildflowers and grasses. The pool of water is surrounded by gently sloping hills, adding depth to the landscape. The sheep is positioned far enough from the water to emphasize its peaceful isolation within the expansive natural setting. Natural, soft lighting highlights the serene and tranquil atmosphere of the scene, with the sheep appearing completely at ease in its serene surroundings.