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Colin Smith: There is a reason why Psalm 23 is the best loved and best known of all of the Psalms and one of the best loved chapters in all of the Bible. And that reason is that God has used this Psalm to encourage his people for more than 3,000 years.

Guest (Male): Welcome to Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith. And Colin, Psalm 23 is, like you said, one of the most well-known, most well-loved Psalms, actually probably one of the most well-known passages in all of the Bible. What do you think it is about this Psalm that just captivates people?

Colin Smith: Oh, I think that it is so wonderfully encouraging and all of us desperately need encouragement. I'm so glad that we're able to delve into this Psalm right now because, I mean, isn't this a time when so many folks are feeling tired and jaded and run down and discouraged?

And just to lift up our minds and our hearts to say, “The Lord is my shepherd.” And then all that flows from that, that he's going to lead me, and he's going to protect me, and he's never going to let me go. I just found this to be such a rich and wonderful encouragement.

I know it's a very familiar passage of Scripture. And, you know, maybe you're thinking right now, “Oh, Psalm 23. I, I know that.” Well, will you spend some time with me and just pause to take in what God says he is to you, your shepherd, and take in what it means, because it's wonderful. And I think as we slow down to take in over these next days what the Lord does for us in Jesus Christ.

It's going to be a blessing, it's going to be an encouragement, and it's going to renew your strength and give you hope.

Guest (Male): Well, let's open our Bibles to the 23rd Psalm as we begin a message called He Owns Me. Here is Pastor Colin.

Colin Smith: Now, I expect for all of us, there are some gems of wisdom that we hear once and never forget. One of those in my life came from Warren Wiersbe. Some of you may know that name, one-time esteemed pastor of the Moody Church here in Chicago and then Bible teacher with the Back to the Bible radio program.

He was speaking, and this is a good number of years ago, in a conference in Britain, and there was a question and answer session. I was just a young pastor in London at the time. And at this conference, Warren Wiersbe, who I admired so much, was asked the question, “What would he do differently if he could have his years of ministry over again?”

Colin Smith: And I remember leaning forward in my chair as a young pastor to hear what this man I respected so much would say. And he said, in his senior years then, “If I could have my time in ministry over again, I would encourage God's people more.” I've never forgotten that.

It's stayed with me. I think partly because Warren Wiersbe is one of the most encouraging people I have ever met in my life. But as he in his senior years looked back on his time in ministry, he said, “I would encourage God's people more.”

Now, there is a reason why Psalm 23 is the best loved and best known of all of the Psalms and one of the best loved chapters in all of the Bible. And that reason is that God has used this Psalm to encourage his people for more than 3,000 years.

And my first prayer for this series is that God will use these familiar words to bring fresh strength and hope and comfort and encouragement for each and every one of us.

Psalm 23, of course, is about what God does for his people. And like all of the Bible, it points us to the Lord Jesus Christ. David said, “The Lord is my shepherd.”

And when Jesus Christ came into the world, he said, “I am the good shepherd.” So, this series then is going to remind us of all that is ours in the Lord Jesus Christ. When you belong to him, everything in this Psalm is yours.

And throughout this series, we're going to see that it is a marvelous thing to belong to the Son of God. Now, when you eat rich food, you go out for a sumptuous meal, you want to eat it slowly so that you can savor its taste.

And this Psalm is super rich. And so we are going to savor its delight slowly. The plan is, if you notice, there are six verses in the 23rd Psalm, and we have six weeks to savor this truth together. We begin then with verse 1 today. “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.”

Now, let's begin simply with that word shepherd. “The Lord is my shepherd.” Now, it is sometimes alleged, and I've got to admit, as I've read many things on the 23rd Psalm preparing for this series, I got really rather tired of it being alleged, but it is often alleged that because most of us live in cities or in suburbs, that somehow we don't know what a shepherd is and cannot grasp what a shepherd does.

And I just want to say to you, even if you should never have seen a flock of sheep in your entire life, reading this Psalm will tell you what a shepherd is and what a shepherd does. Notice just going through the Psalm, and this is where we're going, God willing, over these next six weeks.

A shepherd owns the sheep. “The Lord is my shepherd.” I'm owned by him. I'm one of his sheep. Jesus says, “My sheep never perish.” That's a statement of ownership. Because the shepherd owns the sheep, therefore, the shepherd leads the sheep. Next week, God willing, we'll look at how he leads the sheep into rest and into righteousness.

Then the shepherd restores the sheep because, though they are his, we often go astray. Therefore, he restores my soul. He retrieves me when I wander, and he restores me when I am spent. The shepherd, because he owns the sheep, protects them. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me. The good shepherd protects from evil and he protects from enemies.

And the shepherd feeds the sheep. He spreads a table before me. He gives a cup that overflows. And the shepherd loves the sheep. Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life. And after my life, I will be welcomed into his home forever and forever.

Now, that's what a shepherd does. Very simple. It's all laid out in this Psalm. If you've never seen a flock of sheep, this is what a shepherd does. These are the things that the shepherd does for the sheep, and David says, “These are the things God does for me.” And when you are in Christ, you'll be able to know with assurance that these are the things that he does for you.

Now, one more word by way of introduction, and it is that some of you may perhaps, just as an instinctive reaction, think this all sounds a little bit sentimental. Fluffy sheep, shepherd with his crook, all a little quaint, is it not?

Maybe you were read as a young child a storybook with these pictures of fluffy sheep and a shepherd, and it was based on Psalm 23, and you have that as a kind of memory and you say, “Well, it's a long way from the harsh realities of life today.”

Well, remember that David was a shepherd. He knew what it took to do this job. It was a dangerous job because wild animals would come and attack the sheep. You remember, famously, of course, that David was such a good shot with a sling where he slew Goliath with the pebble that he shot with that sling. How did he become so good with a sling?

Well, the answer is he was a shepherd, and he knew what it was for wild animals to come, and that was the first line of protection against the for the sheep. But sometimes it took more than a sling. David tells us in 1 Samuel in chapter 17 and verse 34 about how he fought on at least one occasion with a lion and with a bear.

David said to Saul, I quote, “Your servant used to keep sheep for his father, and when there came a lion and a bear and took a lamb from the flock, I went after him, and struck him, and delivered him out of my mouth. And if he arose against me, I caught him by the beard and struck him and killed him.”

So, how's that for risk in your job description? You may have to go face to face with a lion or with a bear, grab it by the scruff of the neck, grab it by the hair on its head, because it's got a lamb in its jaw, and it's your lamb, and you've got to get that lamb back. That's, David says, “That's what it took for me to be a shepherd, and that's the kind of care that God gives to me. The Lord is my shepherd.”

So, I just want to say to you, if you think, you know, this all sounds rather quaint. Listen, this deals with the harsh realities of life. David knew what it was to have enemies hunting him. He had at one point in his life the pain of one of his own sons hating him.

He knew what it was to live with failure. He knew what it was to live with fear. He was given the task by God of seeking to lead a chronically divided nation. And he knew what it was to be discouraged and to be exhausted.

So, I wanted to say to you, right at the beginning, now if you know what it is to be exhausted, to feel drained, this Psalm is for you. If you know what it is to endure great pressure over a long period of time and sometimes to lose heart, this Psalm is for you. If you face enemies, and when you find yourself staring into the face of great evil, this Psalm is for you. And since one day you will walk through the valley of the shadow of death, this Psalm is for you.

Guest (Male): You're listening to Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith, and a message called He Owns Me. It's part of a series called The Lord Is My Shepherd. And we've been looking at the word shepherd. Stay tuned in just a moment. We're going to take a look at the word, Lord.

Well, this message, as I mentioned, is part of a series, originally called The Lord Is My Shepherd, but it's been one of the most listened-to messages of this past year. We went back and we took a look at the messages that had been streamed and downloaded and requested. And we compiled them together and made a top 10 list, and we're calling it Listener Favorites 2026. And it's airing all month long on the radio, but you can order a copy of all 10 messages bundled together on CD when you call us at 1-877-OPEN-365. That's 1-877-673-6365, or you'll find ordering information at openthebible.org. Back to the message, here's Pastor Colin.

Colin Smith: In Christ, you have a shepherd. And because he owns you, he will lead you, he will restore you, he will protect you, he will feed you, and he will love you always. That's what it means to be shepherd.

Now, let's focus in on this second thing, who then is the shepherd? David says, “The Lord is my shepherd.” Very simply here, I want to make the observation that the quality of life enjoyed by any flock of sheep depends entirely on their shepherd. The quality of life enjoyed by any flock of sheep depends entirely on their shepherd.

In the Old Testament, God appointed prophets, priests, and kings to shepherd his flock. They were to feed the sheep, seek the sheep, guard the sheep, and they did not do a good job. Most professions have a system of an annual review. And in Ezekiel in chapter 34, God gives as it were a review of those who have been appointed as shepherds of his flock, and it is not a good review.

To Ezekiel God says, “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel.” Why? Because, God says, “The weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the injured you have not bound up, the strayed you've not brought back, the lost you have not sought, and with force and harshness you have ruled them.” So the flock of God had a really bad time because the shepherds weren't caring for them. The quality of life of any flock of sheep depends entirely on who their shepherd is.

And in Ezekiel's day, the appointed shepherds had failed in their task. No one was looking for the lost, no one was helping or strengthening the sick or the injured, no one came to the help of the weak. So what happens? Well, God said this, “My sheep were scattered over the face of the earth with none to seek or search for them.” And so God looked upon his own sheep with compassion, and God said, “I myself will become their shepherd.”

“I myself will search for my sheep and seek them out. I will seek the lost. I will bring back the strayed. I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak.” And you see, when Jesus Christ then came into the world, he said in effect, “That's me. I'm the one that's come to do this. I am the good shepherd.” And here's what it means. “I'm going to lay down my life for my sheep, and my sheep will never perish.”

Now, do you see that all the way through this Psalm is about the Lord? The great assurance here is that it's the Lord himself who is your shepherd. What this means is, by taking ownership of you, the Lord takes direct responsibility for you in every area of your life.

Let me just read it with that emphasis so that it settles in your mind. “The Lord is my shepherd. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He's the one who restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. And even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, even there I will fear no evil for you are with me. Your rod, your staff comfort me. You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

The entire experience of life depends on who the shepherd is, and David says, “Here's the good news. Here is where I find comfort and strength and encouragement. It's the Lord who is my shepherd. He owns me.” And because he owns me, he will always lead me, and he will restore me, and he will protect me, and he will feed me. I will not go hungry, and he will love me forever. The greatest joy in life is to be wholly owned by the Son of God.

We've looked at what it means to be a shepherd. Psalm 23 tells us. We've looked at who the shepherd is, it's the Lord. The Psalm's all about him. And then I want us to look at this word of personal relationship that's so wonderful, the little word my. “The Lord is my shepherd.”

Now, here's the question. How do you become one of the Lord's sheep? Well, sheep are added to a flock by being bought or by being born. A shepherd can breed sheep or a shepherd can buy sheep. And of course, in farming, a shepherd has a flock of 200, 500 sheep, or whatever it is. One or other of these things will be true of each and every one of them. A lamb is added to the flock either because it is bought or because it is born.

Now, of course, in God's flock, both things are true of you. Every Christian has been bought into the flock of God, and every Christian has been born into the flock of God. And the New Testament makes this very clear. Paul says 1 Corinthians chapter 6 and verse 20, “You are not your own for you were bought with a price.” And Peter says it this way, “You were ransomed.”

You were ransomed. In other words, there was a price paid to buy you out of the futile way of life that you had known before. And the price that was paid was not silver and gold, it was the precious blood of Christ, that of a lamb without blemish or without spot.

Do you see what Christ has done for you? He bought you. And the price that he paid to buy you, to purchase you, to make you his own, is that he shed his own precious blood.

Karin and I have been watching a series on television called This Farming Life. I think we've actually got rather hooked on it and the scenes of various parts of Scotland and the life of smallholding farmers in that part of the world. And one of the features of life in the farming year is the sheep auctions that regularly take place. Farmers will show up at these large sheep auctions, and they will buy rams or tups, as they're sometimes referred to, for breeding, the next generation of sheep, or they will buy ewes in order simply to add to and grow their flock.

And it's quite fascinating, you know, seeing these, these large markets. And these multiple pens with all of these sheep. And the potential buyers will walk around before the auction and have a look at the sheep and decide which ones they're going to bid for and how much they are going to bid.

Now, think about this. The Lord Jesus Christ himself has purchased you. And the price he paid for the purchase is his own precious blood. You are not your own. You are bought with a price. And because you are bought with a price, the Lord is your shepherd, and that is why you will not want. What you need will be given to you because the shepherd laid down his own life in order to make you his own. And having given his very self to purchase you, you can be sure that he will give you all that you need. Is not the logic of Romans in chapter 8 and verse 32 that he who did not spare his own son but freely gave him up for us all, how will he not also along with him graciously give us all things?

You have been bought into the flock of God by the precious blood of Christ. And you have been born into the flock of God. It's fascinating to me that Peter immediately after stating so wonderfully that we have been ransomed, we have been purchased, he then goes on to say that we've been born. “You have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable through the living and enduring word of God.” Here's what happened. Not only is it true that the Lord Jesus Christ shed his blood for you 2,000 years ago, but at some point in your life, you may not be able to discern especially when it was, but here's what has happened in your life and experience.

The Holy Spirit brooded over your dead soul like he brooded over the dark waters in the creation. And he brought you to new life. He opened your eyes to the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ, awakened you to your need of a savior. He brought you to faith. He changed you from the inside out, giving you a new desire to leave behind a life of sin and follow hard after the Lord Jesus Christ. And not only has he brought you to this new life, he sustains this new life in you. You've had so many doubts and fears. You still have so many unanswered questions. You have so many sins and so many failings, and yet still you love Christ and still the Lord is your shepherd.

Having bought you and then having birthed you, the shepherd is utterly and entirely committed to you, lives with you. And you are the constant focus of his care and attention.

Guest (Male): Well, unfortunately, we are going to have to pause the message right there, but we'll continue this message next time. I hope you'll make it a point to tune in. If you ever miss a program, come and listen online. Our website is openthebible.org. You can stream the program or you can download an MP3 for free. Again, that's at openthebible.org.

Well, as you give a gift of any amount this month, you're going to receive a copy of Pastor Brad Weatherall's book called Saved to Sin No More. And Colin, who is this book for?

Colin Smith: Well, it's really for every Christian who wants to make progress in his or her battle against sin, and that's surely going to be everyone who knows and loves the Lord Jesus Christ. You know, I think one of the greatest struggles that we have is just discouragement. And the doctrine of union with Christ is the most encouraging truth that I know in all of the Bible. Faith unites us to the Lord Jesus Christ so that his presence is in us through the Holy Spirit. And when Christ is in us, there's something of the power and the peace and the joy of the Lord Jesus that's actually in us too. And when that's the case, it makes what would have been impossible for us on our own possible because his power and his presence is with us. So, getting hold of what it means to actually have Christ in us and for us to be in him, that's union with Christ, is going to be the most encouraging thing for moving forward in the battle against stubborn sins that often defeat us.

Guest (Male): Well, we'd love to send you a copy of this book. Again, it's called Saved to Sin No More. And it's our thank you for your financial support this month. You can give a gift online at openthebible.org or when you call 1-877-673-6365. That might be easier to remember is 1-877-OPEN-365, or again our website is openthebible.org. For Pastor Colin Smith, I'm Steve Hiller. Thanks for listening, and I hope you'll join us next time.

Radio Program Jingle: This program is a listener supported production of Open the Bible.

Colin Smith: At Open the Bible, we're grateful for like-minded organizations committed to sharing the gospel around the world. And to that end, I'd like to commend the work of Global Fingerprints. You know, in the book of James, God calls us to help orphans in their distress. That's a clear command, but it's not always clear how we should obey it. And this is where Global Fingerprints comes in. Through Global Fingerprints, you can sponsor a vulnerable child to help meet their physical needs and ensure they hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. I want to commend Global Fingerprints to you. They're focused on equipping the local church to care for children, and where there is no church, they help to plant one. If you'd like to help a vulnerable child, you can find more information on Global Fingerprints at our website openthebible.org/gf. That's openthebible.org/gf.