Sunday Devotional – August 24, 2025

“The Lord Is My Shepherd”

Scripture Focus: Psalm 23:1–6 (NKJV)

This Morning, God Met Me in My Valley

This morning, I woke up heavy. The weight of my trial sat on my chest before I even took my first breath of the day. My mind started running to the problems, the battles, and the uncertainties pressing in on every side. Maybe you know that feeling—the kind of trial that makes you wonder, “Lord, how much longer can I carry this?”

But before fear could take over, God led me to Psalm 23. It wasn’t just a scripture—it was His voice. It was His answer to the cries I hadn’t yet spoken. And today, I believe God wants to use this same passage to comfort not only me, but you—the women of Encouraging Her Resilience who are walking through trials of your own.

Verse 1: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”

This is not a suggestion—it’s a declaration. The moment David said “The Lord is my shepherd,” he placed his entire life under God’s care. That means God Himself has taken responsibility for you. When the world says you lack, your Shepherd says you shall not want. No matter how dry the season looks, He provides. No matter how broken your heart feels, He sustains.

Verse 2: “He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.”

Notice this—He makes us lie down. Why? Because sometimes we don’t know how to stop running, fighting, or striving. God says, “Daughter, rest. I will fight this battle.” Still waters are where the soul finds peace. In the middle of your storm, He is the stillness. In chaos, He is calm.

Verse 3: “He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.”

Restoration means bringing back what was broken, renewing what was crushed, and reviving what was weary. God is not just patching you up—He is making you whole again. And He is guiding you not because you’re flawless, but because His name is on your life. His reputation is tied to your story.

Verse 4: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me…”

This verse reminds us the valley is not permanent—it’s a passage. You are walking through it, not living in it. And it’s not death—it’s the shadow of death. A shadow can’t harm you when the Light of the world is walking beside you. God’s presence is not distant. He is with you. Right now. In this valley.

“Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”

The rod represents His protection. The staff represents His guidance. God doesn’t just watch you—He defends you. He doesn’t just guide you—He disciplines you when needed so you stay on course. That’s why the attacks you thought would destroy you failed. His rod struck them down. That’s why even in confusion, you kept moving forward. His staff was pulling you back on track.

Verse 5: “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies…”

God is not intimidated by your enemies. He does not need to remove them before He blesses you. In fact, He sets the table right in front of them. While they watch, He anoints you. While they whisper, He elevates you. While they plot, He fills your cup until it runs over. The very ones who thought you’d fall will see you rise.

Verse 6: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life…”

This is not a hope—it is a guarantee. Goodness and mercy are not trailing behind you aimlessly. They are actively pursuing you, covering you, and carrying you. Not just on your good days. Not just when you’re strong. But all the days of your life—even in your darkest valley, goodness and mercy are your constant companions.

“And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

This is not just a promise of heaven—it’s a promise of now. Dwelling in His house means abiding in His presence, living under His covering, being held by His hands. Even in the middle of trials, His presence is your safe place.

A Word for Today

Sisters, Psalm 23 is not just a passage—it is a lifeline. It is God saying: “You are not alone. You are not forgotten. You are mine.”

Whatever trial you are walking through today—whether it’s heartbreak, loss, financial strain, injustice, fear, or spiritual warfare—let this word anchor your soul. The valley is real, but so is the Shepherd.

Reflection Questions

Where in your life do you need to rest and let God lead you beside still waters?
How has God already proven Himself as your Shepherd in past trials?
What valley are you walking through right now, and how does this Psalm change the way you see it?

Prayer

Lord, thank You for being my Shepherd. Thank You for walking with me through valleys I thought would break me. Thank You for restoring my soul when I felt too weak to keep going. Today, I choose to trust that Your rod will protect me, Your staff will guide me, and Your presence will never leave me. Even in the presence of enemies, I believe You are preparing a table of victory for me. Let goodness and mercy chase me all the days of my life, and let my heart dwell with You forever. In Jesus’ name, Amen.