Library
Psalm 23 - Sandy
Sermon Summary
Sandy emphasises that Jesus, our good shepherd, enters into our messy lives with love and scars, offering us renewal, abundant life, and the assurance that eternal life begins now when we trust in Him and renew our minds with His truth.
Read More
Psalm 23 paints a vivid picture of God as our shepherd—one who is not distant or aloof, but intimately involved in the mess and reality of our lives. The image of the shepherd is not just one of gentle comfort, but of gritty presence: a shepherd who smells like the sheep, who enters into our chaos and brokenness without hesitation. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, left the glory of heaven to step into our world, bearing scars that prove His willingness to enter our mess and offer us life. He specialises in meeting us where we are, not where we wish we were.
Yet, even as we follow this Shepherd, many of us carry around “garbage” in our minds—old failures, shame, and the persistent whisper of condemnation. These voices tell us we are unworthy, that the promises of Psalm 23 are for someone else, or for another time. But God’s word is clear: when we confess, He chooses to forget our sins, casting them away as far as the east is from the west. The enemy’s accusations are flawed and exaggerated, but God’s forgiveness is complete and liberating.
The mind is the battleground where these truths and lies collide. What we feed our minds shapes our hearts, and what fills our hearts overflows into our actions. Scripture teaches that our minds can be renewed and transformed—not by our own effort, but by the Spirit of God working through His word. This renewal is not a one-time event, but a daily process of choosing what we allow in, and what we meditate on. The life Jesus offers is not just for the future, but for now: abundance, peace, and satisfaction in Him, regardless of our circumstances.
Psalm 23’s “I” statements—“I shall not want,” “I will fear no evil,” “I will dwell in the house of the Lord”—are not just for King David, but for all who trust the Shepherd. They are invitations to live free from lack, fear, and the tyranny of the past, and to experience eternal life now, in relationship with God. The Shepherd’s goodness and mercy don’t just follow us—they pursue us with relentless love. The challenge is to surrender, to let go of the garbage, and to receive the life that is on offer today.
Key Takeaways
1. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, enters our mess without hesitation. He is not repelled by our brokenness or failures, but draws near, bearing the scars of His love. His presence in our lives is not sanitised or distant; He specialises in meeting us in the reality of our struggles and bringing hope and transformation.
2. The enemy’s accusations are persistent, but God’s forgiveness is absolute. While the devil may remind us of our past with half-truths and condemnation, God declares that confessed sin is forgotten, cast into the depths, and remembered no more. This liberating truth allows us to live with a clear conscience and resist the cycle of shame and self-contempt.3. The mind is the gateway to transformation, and what we feed it matters deeply. Our thoughts, feelings, and perceptions shape our inner life and actions. By intentionally filling our minds with truth—through Scripture, prayer, and focusing on Jesus—we invite the Spirit to renew us, breaking the power of lies and old patterns.
4. The promises of Psalm 23 are for the present, not just the future. “I shall not want,” “I will fear no evil,” and “I will dwell in the house of the Lord” are realities to be lived now, not merely hoped for after death. Eternal life begins in knowing God today, experiencing His abundance, peace, and presence in the midst of everyday life.
5. Surrendering to the Shepherd means letting go of self-sufficiency and embracing His guidance, correction, and love. It is an act of trust to lay down our garbage and receive the life He offers—a life marked by abundance, freedom from fear, and the joy of dwelling with God now. This is not always easy, but it is the path to true satisfaction and the experience of eternity in the present.
Daily Hope Devotionals
Day 1: God Forgets Our Confessed Sins
Scripture:
Isaiah 43:25 NIV
'“I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more. '
https://www.bible.com/bible/11...
Devotional:
When we confess our sins, God chooses to forget them completely—He does not hold our past against us, nor does He remind us of our failures. The enemy may whisper words of condemnation, but God’s word assures us that our sins are thrown into the depths of the sea and removed as far as the east is from the west. This liberating truth means we can live with a clear conscience, free from shame and self-loathing, and stand before God as beloved children. Refuse to carry the garbage of old guilt; God has already let it go.
Reflection:
Is there a past sin or failure you keep revisiting in your mind? What would it look like to truly accept God’s forgiveness and let go of that “garbage” today?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You that You come into my messes and scars. Help me to release the garbage of guilt, shame, and condemnation that weighs me down. Cleanse my mind and renew my thoughts with Your truth. Set me free from the past and fill me with Your peace. In Your name, I pray. Amen.
Day 2: Jesus, the Good Shepherd, Enters Our Mess
Scripture:
John 10:11 NIV
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. '
https://www.bible.com/bible/11...
Jesus is not a distant or sanitised shepherd; He steps directly into the mess and chaos of our lives, unafraid of our failures, shame, or the “garbage” we carry. He came from the glory of the Father into a smelly stable, lived among us, bore scars for us, and continues to meet us in our brokenness. No matter how much we feel our lives are too messy or unworthy, Jesus specialises in entering those very places, bringing forgiveness, healing, and His loving presence. Invite Him into your mess today, knowing He is not repelled but drawn to you in love.
Reflection:
What is one area of your life that feels especially messy or shameful right now? Can you invite Jesus, the Good Shepherd, to step into that place with you today?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for being my Shepherd who provides all I need. Help me to trust in Your abundance and to believe that with You, I lack nothing. Open my heart to receive Your fullness and to live without want, knowing You supply all my needs. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Day 3: The Mind Can Be Renewed and Transformed
Scripture:
Romans 12:2 NIV
'Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. '
https://www.bible.com/bible/11...
Devotional:
Our minds are shaped by what we feed them—thoughts, feelings, perceptions, and the input we allow in. While the world’s messages can fill us with anxiety, lies, and fake promises, God offers us the power to have our minds renewed and transformed by His Spirit and truth. This is not always easy, but it is possible: as we focus on Jesus and immerse ourselves in His word, the Spirit works to make our minds new, helping us discern what is true, good, and pleasing to God. Transformation is a daily process, and it begins with what we allow into our minds.
Reflection:
What is one practical change you can make this week to feed your mind with God’s truth instead of the world’s “garbage”?
Prayer:
God of transformation, thank You for the gift of renewing my mind through Your Spirit and Your Word. Help me to focus on Jesus, the Good Shepherd, and to feed my mind with truth. Change my perceptions and thoughts so I can live with clarity, purpose, and joy. In Jesus’ name, I ask. Amen.
Day 4: Life Without Lack—Abundance in the Shepherd
Scripture:
Psalms 23:1-3 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 name’s sake. '
https://www.bible.com/bible/11...
Devotional:
Because Jesus is our Shepherd, we are invited into a life of abundance, satisfaction, and deep inner joy that is not dependent on material things or circumstances. Even in times of need or uncertainty, we can trust that we lack nothing essential, for Jesus Himself is our provision and our life. This abundance is not about having everything we want, but about flourishing in the presence and care of the Shepherd, experiencing His peace, guidance, and love. We can ask God to help us believe and live in this truth, even when it feels hard.
Reflection:
In what area of your life do you feel a sense of lack or dissatisfaction? How might trusting Jesus as your Shepherd change your perspective or response today?
Prayer:
Lord, I surrender my life to you. Give me courage to follow Your guidance, accept Your discipline, and trust in Your love. Help me to step out in faith, knowing that Your mercy and grace pursue me every day. Lead me into abundant life. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Day 5: Eternal Life Is Now—Living with God in the Present
Scripture:
John 17:2-3 NIV
'For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. '
https://www.bible.com/bible/11...
Devotional:
Eternal life is not just a future promise; it is a present reality for those who know God and Jesus Christ. We are invited to dwell with God now, to experience His goodness, mercy, and love pursuing us every day, and to taste eternity in our daily lives. This means living with an awareness of God’s presence, letting His love cast out fear, and embracing the joy and satisfaction that comes from knowing Him. The Shepherd’s invitation is to live with Him today, not just someday—eternity is in session now.
Reflection:
How can you intentionally practice living in God’s presence today, experiencing eternal life now rather than waiting for “someday”?
Prayer:
Father, thank You that eternal life is in session today. Help me to live fully in Your presence, trusting that You are with me now. Fill my heart with Your love and joy, and help me to taste eternity in my daily life. May I dwell with You today and always. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Day 6: Embracing the Renewal of the Mind
Scripture:
Philippians 4:8 NIV
"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians%204%3A8&version=NIV
Our minds are the battleground where truth and lies compete. The world often feeds us false perceptions, fears, and doubts that can trap us in negativity and shame. But God's promise is that our minds can be renewed daily through His Spirit and His Word. When we intentionally focus on Jesus—the truth, the life, the good shepherd—we allow Him to reshape our thoughts and perceptions. This renewal helps us discern what is real and what is false, guiding us into His perfect will. Remember, transformation isn't instant, but with consistent input of God's truth, our minds can be refreshed and aligned with His love and purpose.
Reflection:
Reflect on how renewing your mind with the truth of God's Word can help you embrace the fullness of life that Jesus offers—free from fear, lack, and the garbage of past mistakes.
How can you intentionally feed your mind with truth today to experience this renewal?
Prayer:
Lord, I ask for Your Spirit to renew my mind today. Help me to focus on Your truth and reject the lies that seek to hold me back. Transform my thoughts so I can see myself and the world through Your eyes. Fill me with Your peace and clarity, that I may walk in Your perfect will. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen
Day 7: Rest in the Green Pastures and Still Waters
Scripture:
Psalms 23:2-4
'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 name’s sake. 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. '
https://www.bible.com/bible/11...
Sometimes life feels like a whirlwind of mess and garbage, and we forget that our Good Shepherd invites us to rest. Just like the sheep follow their shepherd to quiet, lush pastures and calm waters, we are called to trust Jesus to lead us into places of peace and renewal. When the noise of the world, our fears, and our guilt try to drown us, remember that Jesus comes into our mess, into our garbage, and offers us rest. He restores our soul—not just once, but every day. We don’t have to carry the weight of shame or guilt. Our Shepherd’s love is enough to refresh us, to bring peace to our restless hearts.
Reflection:
Take a moment to pause, breathe, and let Jesus lead you beside the still waters. Rest in His care, knowing that He is the one who restores your soul and makes you whole again.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for leading me to green pastures and still waters. Help me to trust You to restore my soul when I feel broken or tired. May I find my rest in You today. Amen.
Subscribe here to get a weekly SMS link to the latest Daily Hope devotional sermon (Australia only).
