My Good Shepherd

A Psalm to Calm

“The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul. He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadows of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Sure, goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. -Psalms 23

October 20^th, 2025, during my daily morning time with Jesus, I decided to do a devotional from my Upon waking devotional by my girl Jackie Hill Perry. The devotional scripture came from Psalm 23 verses 4-6. Typically, when I see that a devotional reading is based off a popular verse or passage of scripture, I typically become a little vexed because I am always looking for a “new” or unfamiliar word to mediate on. I know that sort of seems weird lol but it’s the truth. But this morning I had different feelings. I wanted to dive deeper into the Psalm and make it more personal to myself and life, and I am so glad that the Lord gave me the desire to do so.

Back in March of this year, March 18^th, 2025, to be exact, I was let go from a job that I had maintained for almost 8 years. I had gone through several promotions there, held leadership roles, led training classes, was a part of special projects. I was content and happy there and felt that I would be there until I was not able to work anymore lol. I loved my job and the people that I worked with. I was let go abruptly and was offered a 14-week severance package and was given the reason of “organizational changes”. I was devastated and deeply saddened by this. I had put my all into something for years and when it came down to it none of what I did mattered, and I was just thrown to the side. I was so confused on why this had happened. While I was still receiving pay for a period, I worried about the future and what I would do if I didn’t have a job once the income stopped all together. I cried a lot of tears, I was embarrassed and didn’t want people to know that I had been let go (even though it was not any fault of my own). I started working when I was 16 and have always had a job so this moment was different and new to me, and I just did not know how to feel. I knew I had family that is very supportive of me and would help me with whatever I needed, although that was still hard for me to adapt to. I had been taking care of myself for years and was not use to relying and depending on others. Once the income stopped, I still hadn’t found work and began to stress and worry more, I would have my up days and my down days, I had more down days then up unfortunately.

While feeling all of these feelings, I still knew that God had it all under control and He allowed this to happen. I knew that He had already fixed everything for me but in the moment, I felt lost and just couldn’t see the positive. Although, Jesus was right there with me, collecting all my tears, comforting me, He often brought me moments of Joy and peace,. When I was having a bad day, He was always right there to listen to me when I needed to talk and vent. Jesus has and still is taking care of me, protecting me, providing for me. Just like a shepherd and his sheep, Jesus was my Good Shepherd, He is the Good Shepherd. How do I know this because He said it, “I am The Good Shepherd: The Good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.” -John 10:11, I am one of His sheep. With knowing this and getting a new revelation of Psalm 23 today, I will never look over another "Popular" scripture again lol.

Let me break it down some...

I have been unemployed now going on 7 months, and I have lacked NOTHING! I have a place for me and my child to live, that is practically rent free, (my mamas house lol), I have not gone hungry not one day, I have my car (my little 2021 turquoise Jeep Renegade) with my payments paid up! I have clothes on both me and my child’s back and shoes on our feet. How is that? Because the Lord is my Good Shepherd and I will lack nothing! The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want. The Lord has given me peace and taught me to surrender it all to Him. I can rest in Him, knowing that He is going to take care of me and bring me out of this place and into something new and better. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures, He restoreth my soul. In this season, He has led me down the path of Kingdom Work, I have started my women’s ministry that He planned for me to have. He has allowed me to go through other things which ultimately brought me closer to Him. Why? because He wanted too and in wanting of all the Glory, in which He shall get! He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. I will not be afraid of what may happen in this season, or what others may think of me. I will fear no evil because the Good Shepherd is with me. I will go on knowing that I am covered and protected by My Good Shepherd. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadows of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; He is my comfort and Joy ALWAYS! He is holding me in His right hand, guiding me and placing me right where He wants me. He is working behind the scenes for my good, He is reassuring me daily that He is my dad and He is going to take care of everything. He holds me and wipes every tear from my eyes when I cry out to Him. Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me. The things that I have been through in this season, the Lord is going to bless me abundantly in front of those who sought evil against me. The Good Shepherd will give me opportunities amid my enemies and they will see the goodness of the Lord on and through me. What the devil sought for evil, my God is going to use it for my good. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies. He has anointed me and has chosen me for this, and I will be showered with blessings from Him. Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. For the rest of my life The Good Shepherd will love and protect me unconditionally, I will be His and He will be mine forever! He will remain faithful to me, even in my weaknesses. Sure, goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

While I am still unemployed today girl, I know that the Lord has a plan for me. I know that I am in this season for a reason and it is all working out for my good. He said that He is doing a new thing in me for the benefit of the Kingdom. I am so blessed and honored that Jesus called me by my name. I did not choose Him, He chose me, and I am forever grateful. I will serve Him and be obedient to Him, why because He is My Good Shepherd! He is my DADDY! I call Him Abba Father. I can feel His presence as I am typing this, and I know that He is with me. He will never ever leave me. nor forsake me. He is mine and I am His! And for this, I will give Him all the Glory Honor and Praise! I am a daughter of the King, God is in the midst of me; I shall not be moved!

I pray this encourages someone, and if you are going through the same thing, I pray for your strength right now in Jesus Mighty Name!

PRAYER:

Lord God, thank you for this opportunity. Thank you for this season. While it may not feel good in the moment, I know that it is for a reason, and you have great things in store for me. I pray right now that you would just touch the woman who is reading this right now. Bless her life Lord and let her know that you are The Good Shepherd and that you have it all in control. Give her peace, joy and happiness in her times of sadness. Strengthen her and remind her of who she is and who she belongs to. We are your daughters Lord and we know that we can’t do this thing called life without you. Bless us all Lord, and for this we shall give you all the glory honor and praise, In Jesus precious and holy name I pray, Amen.