TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL PASSAGE
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,[a]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.Psalm 23
DEVOTIONAL
by Elder Chris Beltran
There was once a Shakespearean actor who was well known for his one-man show. He reads and recites from the classics. He would always end his performance with a dramatic reading of the 23rd Psalm. During every performance, the crowd would intently listen as he recited the words, “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want…” After every reading, the audience gives him a standing ovation for his incredible ability to bring the Psalm to life.
However, on a particular night, just before the actor was to offer his rendition of Psalm 23, a young man from the audience spoke up, “Sir, do you mind if I recite the Psalm tonight?” The actor was surprised at this request but allowed the young man to recite. He knew that the ability of this unskilled youth would be no match for his talent.
When the young man finished reciting, there was no applause or standing ovation as in other performances. All that could be heard was the sound of weeping. The young man’s recitation moved the audience that every eye was drenched with tears. Amazed by what he had heard, the actor asked the lad, “I don’t understand. I have been performing this for years. I have a lifetime of experience and training, but I have never been able to move an audience as you have tonight. Tell me, what is your secret?” The young man humbly replied, “Well, sir, you know the psalm, but I know the Shepherd.”
For those in the ministry today, especially in teaching and preaching, this is a reminder. Effective teaching and preaching are not just about PowerPoint, formal training, or lesson plan. These things are necessary and must be done. However, truthful and effective preaching is done not just by lips but by the heart. It is not enough to know the Bible—its stories, sayings, and teachings. It’s also not enough to read theological books and other materials as references. Unless we know the Author and experience Him in our lives, the Bible is no more than any other book. When we put our faith and have a relationship in Jesus Christ, our Shepherd, only then will the Bible be “living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12). Without knowing and experiencing Christ’s love, our teachings and preachings will be, as Paul stated in 1 Corinthians 13, “clanging cymbals,” full of noise. Make sure that what we have are not just head knowledge of who Jesus is but a genuine, robust, and deep relationship with the Shepherd.
REFLECTION
We may know the Psalm very well, but do we know the Shepherd? Unless we put our faith and trust in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ—experience him deeply—the Bible will only be an ordinary book. Our faith will be nothing more than lip service. How should we respond to God’s call to put our faith and trust in Him?
PRAYER
Lord, grant me a longing heart that aims to know, trust, and experience You. Help me undergo sincere conversions with You, our Shepherd. I know that the wholeness and goodness of Your love provide great power that moves people to teach, preach, and do things according to Your will—and that’s what I humbly seek, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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