Psalm 23 (NIV) -“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his nameʼs sake. 4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.“

The psalm is about how God is present with us (v. 4). There is comfort when we are in God’s presence. It doesn’t matter what we may face in life. We have a Good Shepherd who is with us leading us through. We are not alone. God is with us. Because of this reality, we lack nothing but have everything in Christ : green pastures, peaceful streams, comfort, protection, victory, blessing, love, and a place in God’s house. This truth is ultimately fulfilled in Christ/ Immanuel (God with us) and the indwelling Spirit. In Old Testament language, God “hears” us and “remembers” us wherever we are. Pastoral care is about being a reminder of this truth by our constantly remembering and hearing the person cared for. Furthermore, the emphasis is not so much on what we do, though doing things is important. The emphasis is on our being. Who we are as we are doing things. We are those that have encountered the Good Shepherd and his constant care in our lives. Therefore, we care for others with the same care we have received, pointing them ultimately to Christ as their Good Shepherd. Through our presence with the people, may they ultimately experience the presence of Jesus the Good Shepherd.

1) Spend some time praying the words of this psalm over your life. As you do, may you receive the comfort of the Good Shepherd who is right there with you. The Word of God is true. Believe it as you read it and pray it until your thoughts are aligned with the biblical reality of Psalm 23.
2) Spend some time praying that you would have greater pastoral presence in the lives of those that you are trying to love in Christ (i.e. that through us, they would be reminded of and experience Jesus Christ as Lord, Savior, and Shepherd of their lives).
3) Suggested Worship Song : I am not alone https://youtu.be/I2oel0_Xa54

-CR