6 Life-Changing Lessons Psalm 23 Teaches Us About Finding Rest in God

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You know spending time with God is important.

You want to read your Bible.

Pray.

Meditate on Scripture.

But by the end of the day, you’re exhausted.

Life moves so fast that even your quiet time can begin to feel like another item on your to-do list.

If you’ve ever wondered whether God intended His children to live with this kind of constant pressure…

Psalm 23 gives a beautiful answer.

In just six verses, David paints a picture of what life looks like when the Lord truly becomes our Shepherd.

He doesn’t merely provide for us.

He leads us into rest.

Let’s look at six truths Psalm 23 teaches us about finding soul rest in God’s presence.

Partly, because there are so many things we’re told we need to do to be happy and successful.

Are we happy? We may be successful in the world’s eyes, but does that equate with spiritual success? These are very important questions to ask ourselves right now.

Perhaps God may be calling us to completely change our measurement for happiness and success.

And perhaps that change will have a monumental impact on our future, our relationship with our husband and children, and transform the way we interact with our church.

Why Psalm 23 Is More Than a Comfort Passage

Most people think of Psalm 23 as something we read during difficult seasons.

But David wasn’t simply describing comfort.

He was describing what life looks like when the Lord is truly our Shepherd.

Every picture in this psalm teaches us something about trusting God more deeply.

1. God’s Sheep Don’t Have to Live in Constant Worry

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” (Psalm 23:1)

David begins with security.

A shepherd takes responsibility for his sheep.

The sheep don’t spend their days worrying about tomorrow because they trust the shepherd to provide what they need.

The same is true for us.

Every time anxiety convinces us that everything depends on us, we’re tempted to forget that God has already promised to care for His children.

2. We need rest to thrive spiritually

He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. (v2)

Sheep are ruminants, and ruminating animals must lie down in order for their digestive system to function properly. Without rest, their digestive systems do not function properly, and that can be harmful and even fatal to them.

When they are in danger, their only defense is to run, so sheep will not lie down unless they are at ease and know they are safe.

It is the same for the Christian.

We cannot properly digest the Word of God if we are just reading on the run. A short devotional here, a verse of the day there.

That is not how we were created to grow spiritually.

In order for us to spiritually thrive, we must choose to set aside blocks of time when we quiet our souls and minds in order to properly hear from God and receive His Word.

In an age when we are surrounded by every kind of noise, from digital noise and the constant busy-ness of running from one errand to another to the pressure and anxiety we feel from deadlines, the news, and whatever we may feel we’re missing out on, this is a challenge.

But it is a challenge we must commit ourselves to if we truly wish to grow spiritually.

3. After seasons of busy-ness and constant noise, we must invest in seasons of refreshment

He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. (v3)

Some seasons of life are incredibly demanding.

• Young children.
• Caring for aging parents.
• Building a business.
• Health struggles.
• Ministry responsibilities.

Busy seasons aren’t sinful.

Living there forever is.

God designed us to experience rhythms of work and refreshment.

Only His presence can restore a weary soul.

4. When God is our Shepherd, we can live completely free from fear

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. (v.4)

Notice that this Psalm not only does not say that bad things will not happen to us, but when God is our Shepherd, it says that there will be times when we will experience tribulation.

But when we do experience tribulation, we can still walk in total peace, because we know God is with us.

A shepherd cannot carry his sheep on dangerous paths. Even if he had just one sheep, it would be too heavy for him to carry. But, shepherds have whole flocks of sheep they lead; making carrying sheep through difficult paths impossible!

However, they have their rod and staff that they lay across their sheep to comfort them and let them know that he is near.

The rod and staff are for comfort and assurance.

His presence doesn’t always remove the valley, but it changes the way we walk through it.

God’s Word and His precious promises are His comfort to us.

As we daily spend time in God’s presence, meditating on His Word, we find our faith is strengthened and a supernatural peace, which surpasses all understanding, will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7) as we walk through tribulation and troubling times.

5. When God is our Shepherd, we can live at peace even when surrounded by trouble

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. (v5)

Have you ever been so overcome with anxiety that you couldn’t eat?

I have been there so many times, and I never want to experience that level of anxiety again.

During those three days of unplanned fasting, I was crying out to Him day and night.

I meditated on verses having to do with peace, and by the end of those three days, I had a tremendous breakthrough.

Today I still face anxious moments.

The difference is that I’ve learned where to run when fear comes knocking.

When God is our Shepherd, we can feast at His table in perfect peace and tranquility, even when we’re surrounded by our enemies.

He cares for us with His soothing oil and refreshes us with endless refreshment in our cup!

We have nothing at all to fear. He is our provider and our defense!

6. When God is our Shepherd, He turns all things for our good

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (v.6)

Romans 8:28 promises us that God will work all things for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose.

No matter what circumstances we face in life, we can rest assured that God will be glorified through them, because He is God and He will be glorified for His name’s sake!

And this very special Psalm ends with that declaration.

A declaration we need to train our heart to be full assured of: No matter what I face in life, God’s goodness and mercy will follow me for the rest of my life!

The Hebrew word translated follow doesn’t simply mean to trail behind.

It means to pursue.

To chase.

To hunt down.

Imagine God’s goodness refusing to let you go.

That’s exactly the picture David paints.

He wants us to walk in His perfect peace and rest, but it’s up to us to make that choice.

Psalm 23 isn’t inviting us to escape responsibility.

It’s inviting us to trust our Shepherd.

Today, choose to slow down.

Open God’s Word.

Sit quietly in His presence.

Let Him restore your soul before you rush into the demands of another day.

Because nothing on your schedule is more important than spending time with the One who leads you beside still waters.