What Happens If The Lord is Your Shepherd

What Happens If The Lord is Your Shepherd? As stated in Psalm 23:1, You shall not lack anything.

Psalm 23:1 -The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

My Shepherd

  • to pasture, tend, graze, feed
  • to tend, pasture
  • to shepherd
  • of ruler, teacher
  • shepherd, herdsman
  • to associate with
  • be a friend of

I Shall Not Want

  • to lack
  • be without
  • be lacking
  • decrease
  • have a need
  • to diminish, decrease

When the Psalmist proclaims “The Lord is my shepherd,” he paints a breathtaking image of God’s intimate care. It’s not mere grazing under a watchful eye, but a deep connection where God leads, feeds, and protects His flock.

Like a shepherd in the ancient hills, the Lord knows each sheep, tending to their every need, from lush nourishment in green pastures to serene rest by still waters. He guides them through treacherous valleys, wielding His staff and rod like a shield against danger.

But beyond mere provision, this verse whispers of friendship. God associates with His sheep, walking beside them, offering comfort and companionship. It’s a relationship built on trust, where even in the shadow of death, His presence brings peace, for they know their Shepherd will never leave them nor forsake them.

What Does It Mean for the Lord to be Your Shepherd?

The phrase “call upon the Lord” carries meaningful consequences, especially in the context of the Lord being your shepherd. It means relying on Him for guidance, provision, and protection. When the Lord is your shepherd, you can confidently call upon Him for help and trust in His loving care.

Similar Verses:

Shepherd

  • John 10:11: “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.”
  • John 10:14: “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.”
  • Isaiah 40:11: “He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.”
  • Ezekiel 34:11-12: “For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out. As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.”

Care

  • 1 Peter 5:7: “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”
  • Matthew 6:26: “Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?”
  • Psalm 55:22: “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.”

Guidance

  • Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
  • Psalm 32:8: “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.”
  • John 16:13: “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”

Provision

  • Philippians 4:19: “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
  • Matthew 6:31-33: “Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
  • Psalm 34:10: “The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.”

Friendship

  • John 15:15: “Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.”
  • Proverbs 18:24: “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.”
  • Proverbs 17:17: “A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”

Trust

  • Proverbs 3:5: “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.”
  • Psalm 37:5: “Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.”
  • Isaiah 26:3-4: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:”

Protection

  • Psalm 91:1-4: “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.”
  • Psalm 121:7-8: “The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.”
  • 2 Thessalonians 3:3: “But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.”