Today’s Devotion
Topic: The Lord Our Shepherd
Self Assessment
Background: Undoubtedly, every one of us has recited or sung the passage below at one point in time or another. Either as part of our early morning prayer at school assembly, at dinning time, at the closing of church service or even as bed time prayers, this psalm has become an all-time favourite of most of us. But just how many of us do pause to carefully meditate the many revelations inscribed therein? How many of us sing or recite it from our hearts with understanding? Let us all take time to ponder over the message contained in Psalm 23 as our Bible study for today.
READING: Psalm 23: 1- 6
Questions:
i) What is the principal duty of a shepherd? Why does king David refer to our Lord as a shepherd? What does it mean to have no want because the Lord is our Shepherd?
ii) Why does bible refer to practicing believers as Sheep? What are the characteristics of the Sheep in comparison to its “cousin”; the goat?
iii. How important are the green pastures and still waters to the well-being of the sheep? In practical life, what may greener pastures and still waters represent?
iv) Read verse 3 again. What does it mean for the Lord to lead us through right places for His own name sake and not because of how special we feel we are?
v) If the Lord is Our Shepherd and He leads us in the path of righteousness, why then must we go through the valley of the shadow of death? In practical life, where and when can we say we are walking through such a valley? Why is it important not to fear any evil while walking with the shepherd through this valley?
vi) According to verses 5 – 6, what assurance or benefit do we, as sheep, derive from belonging to our Lord the shepherd? In other words, what does it mean to:
a) have a table prepared before you in the presence of your enemies?
b) have your head anointed with oil?
c) have your cup run over?
d) have goodness and mercy following you all the days of your life?
vii) According to the Psalmist, we get to benefit from all the above just for being a sheep to the shepherd. The only condition to be fulfilled by us is to dwell in the presence (house) the Lord FOREVER. What does that mean and how can a believer ensure that he/she is constantly in the presence of the Lord?
viii) What have you learnt from today’s devotion and in what ways will the acquired understanding of this psalm encourage your Christian life from today?
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