The Lord Is My Keeper: Finding Rest in the Shepherd’s Hands

   

The Lord Is My Keeper: Finding Rest in the Shepherd’s Hands 

  By Larry Haggerty 

Have you ever walked through a season so uncertain, so heavy, so exhausting that it felt like there was no way forward?  

Maybe you’ve faced battles that seemed unwinnable. Maybe fear has gripped your heart, convincing you that this valley—this hardship—is where you’ll stay.  

But let me tell you something today --The valley is NOT your final destination!

Psalm 23 is more than a comforting passage—it’s a declaration of victory!

  "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." 

David wasn’t sitting in ease when he wrote those words. No—he had walked through real struggles. He had faced **real enemies**. He had known **deep hardship**.  

And yet, with confidence, he declared that the Lord was STILL leading him.  

Today, I want to remind you: **No matter where you are—whether in pastures or valleys—the Lord is STILL your keeper!**  

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## **He Provides and Protects—So Stop Striving**  

  "He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters."

Let that sink in. He MAKES me lie down. 

Because sometimes we don’t even realize we need to rest in Him.  

Some of us have been **searching, striving, stressing —chasing peace like it’s something we have to earn.  

  But hear me today—God has ALREADY prepared what you need!

🔹 You don’t have to chase provision—He has already promised it! 

🔹 You don’t have to run after joy—He has already filled your cup! 

🔹 You don’t have to worry about tomorrow—He has already gone ahead!  

📖 Psalm 37:25 says, “I have been young, and now am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging for bread.”

 But God has NEVER failed—and He won’t start now! 

🔥 So stop chasing what He has already provided and start RECEIVING it!**  

You’re Not Stuck in the Valley—You’re Passing Through!

"Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil."_  

💥 I need you to catch this today—THE VALLEY IS NOT YOUR DESTINATION!

David did NOT say: “I got stuck in the valley.” 

David did NOT say: “I settled in the valley.”

  "He said: “I WALK THROUGH IT!”

That means there’s another side!  That means **this trial is temporary!** That means **you are not meant to stay where you are—you are meant to move forward!**  

🔥 "It’s time to declare: “I’m walking through!"

🔹 You might be in a battle, but KEEP WALKING! 

🔹 You might feel surrounded, but KEEP MOVING!  

🔹 You might not see a way out yet—but KEEP TRUSTING!

📖 Isaiah 43:2 says, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; when you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned!”

🔥 Somebody shout: “I WILL NOT BE CONSUMED!”  

Fear Has No Place Where the Shepherd Leads!

  "Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me."

💥 When fear rises up, you have TWO guarantees from the Shepherd: 

🔹 His rod defeats the enemy! 

🔹 His staff keeps you close!

📖 2 Timothy 1:7 says,** *“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind!”  

🔥 Fear has NO PLACE in a blood-bought believer!  

Let me say it again: Fear has NO place where faith stands! 

🔥 If fear has been pressing in—press BACK with worship!

📖 Psalm 22:3 says, “God inhabits the praises of His people.” 

That means if you want His presence, OPEN YOUR MOUTH AND PRAISE HIM!

    His Goodness Is Chasing You Down!  

"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life."

Let me say it LOUD for the people in the back: You don’t have to wonder if God is with you—His goodness is CHASING YOU DOWN! 

📖  Lamentations 3:22-23 says, “His mercies are new every morning!”  

🔥 You might feel unworthy—but His mercy is RELENTLESS!  

🔥 You might feel broken—but His love is UNSTOPPABLE!

💥 Somebody say: “GOD IS CHASING ME WITH GOODNESS!”

  Final Word: The Lord Is Still Leading You 

Wherever you are today—whether in **peace or struggle, pastures or valleys—the Lord is STILL your keeper! 

💥 You might feel lost—but you are NOT lost to Him!

💥 You might feel burdened—but He is carrying you!

💥 You might feel uncertain—but He has ALREADY gone before you! 

🔥 I dare you to take ONE STEP OF FAITH TODAY!  

🙌 Declare this:  

🔹 “I will fear no evil, for YOU are with me!”  

🔹 “Your rod and Your staff comfort me!”  

🔹 “Goodness and mercy FOLLOW me!” 

  Call to Action: Surrender to the Shepherd

💥 Are you ready to lay it all down? Are you ready to TRUST the Shepherd? 

📖  BJesus said in Matthew 11:28,   “Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”  

🔥  It’s time to stop striving and start surrendering! 

🔥  It’s time to stop fearing and start worshiping!  

🔥  It’s time to walk in the victory God already won for you!

🙌 Hallelujah! The Lord is our keeper! Amen!