OPEN HEAVEN DAILY DEVOTIONAL: SUNDAY OCTOBER 19TH 2025

TOPIC: THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD

MEMORISE: 

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

READ: Psalms 23:1-6

1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

MESSAGE

David was a shepherd boy before Samuel anointed him as Israel’s king. In fact, Samuel had to send for him while he was taking care of his father’s sheep (1 Samuel 16:11-13). Hence, he fully understood what it meant to be a shepherd, and that was why he acknowledged God as his shepherd in today’s Bible reading. 

Sheep enjoy many blessings under their shepherd. Our Lord is, however, not just a shepherd; He is the Good Shepherd (John 10:11). Beloved, before the blessings of the Good Shepherd can be yours, He must be your Lord, and you must be His sheep. God does not shepherd those who are lords of themselves, neither does He shepherd goats.

These are some of the blessings of having the Lord as your Shepherd:

1. You will never lack rest. David said in Psalm 23:2, “He maketh me to lie down…”When you are God’s sheep,

2. You will not lack sleep. God gives His beloved sleep (Psalm 127:2).

3. You will be well-fed. Hunger is a stranger to God’s sheep because He causes them to lie down in green pastures (Psalm 23:2). Psalm 63:5 says, “My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness… “

4. You will never lack restoration (Psalm 23:3). In Joel 2:23-26, God promised that He will restore the years that the cankerworm and caterpillar have eaten. No matter what you lose, you are assured of total restoration when the Lord is your shepherd.

5. Your thirst will be satisfied because He will lead you beside still waters (Psalm 23:2). Matthew 5:6 says, “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled”

6. You will not lack guidance because He will lead you in the paths of righteousness (Psalm 23:3). Jesus said that the Holy Spirit will guide you into all truth (John 16:12-13). With the Holy Spirit in charge of your life, you will have absolutely nothing to worry about.

7. You will have nothing to fear because you will enjoy God’s divine presence. Even though you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, you will fear no evil, for He will be with you (Psalm 23:4). In Hebrews 13:5, He promised to never leave you nor forsake you.

Beloved, acknowledge the Lord as your shepherd in every area of your life. Entrust your life to Him completely, and you will enjoy these blessings and many more. I pray that the Lord will truly manifest Himself in your life, in Jesus’ name. 

REFLECTION

Is the Lord your shepherd?

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Mark 14

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE

HYMN 5: BLESSED ASSURANCE

1. Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine;

Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!

Heir of salvation, purchase of God,

Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

Refrain:

This is my story, this is my song,

Praising my Savior all the day long.

This is my story, this is my song,

Praising my Savior all the day long.

2. Perfect submission, perfect delight,

Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;

Angels descending, bring from above

Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

3. Perfect submission, all is at rest,

I in my Savior am happy and blest;

Watching and waiting, looking above,

Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.