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

Every reflection on pastors and shepherding must begin with the Lord Himself. Before there were human pastors, there was God, who revealed Himself as the Shepherd of His people. David, a shepherd-king, knew this reality deeply when he declared, “The Lord is my shepherd.” Behind every faithful pastor stands the greater, perfect Shepherd who watches over His flock with unfailing love.

The shepherd imagery in Scripture is powerful. A shepherd feeds, leads, protects, and restores his sheep. Sheep are vulnerable creatures, prone to wandering, incapable of defending themselves, and dependent on their shepherd for survival. In the same way, God’s people need His constant care. Without Him, we are helpless. With Him, we lack nothing: “I shall not want.”

The psalmist goes on to describe the blessings of God’s shepherding: green pastures, still waters, restored souls, guidance, protection, comfort, and goodness that follows all the days of life. These blessings remind us that the heart of the shepherd is one of provision and presence. He does not abandon His sheep to figure life out alone; He walks with them every step of the way.

When pastors are called shepherds in the New Testament, it is always in light of this greater Shepherd. No pastor is the source of wisdom or protection in himself; he is but an under-shepherd, entrusted with the care of Christ’s flock. His role is to reflect, however imperfectly, the heart of God.

For the flock, this truth is both humbling and encouraging. We must not place ultimate trust in men, but in the Lord who shepherds us. Yet we can also thank God for giving us earthly pastors to embody His care, feed us with His Word, and guide us in His ways.

The Lord is the model of every faithful pastor. His patience with wandering sheep, His courage in the face of wolves, and His willingness to lay down His life for His flock set the standard. When we see our pastors walking in His ways, we see a glimpse of the Good Shepherd Himself.

Today, let us rest in the truth that the Lord is our Shepherd. Let us also pray for our pastors, that their leadership would reflect His heart. And let us give thanks that, through Christ, we can say with confidence: “I shall not want.”