Last month, my wife and I celebrated our 38th wedding anniversary. Recounting what we have gone through in our marriage and as parents to our three sons, we are thankful for the blessings of God. He has been faithful to our family through the different seasons.

When my youngest son was 10 years old, he learnt to memorise Psalm 23—the entire Psalm!—in Sunday School. I had thought it would be a challenge for him, but he managed it, and we would recite this psalm together whenever he was afraid.

Shortly after, my wife and I discovered a lump growing on our son’s neck. We took him to a doctor, who advised us to have the lump removed and sent for biopsy. This was rather worrying, as we began to imagine the worst-case scenarios. We were also concerned about how to prepare our young son for surgery.

I explained the situation to my son, and he asked fearfully, “Will it be painful? Will I die?”

That was when I suggested that he recall Psalm 23, to remind himself that God is the great Shepherd who would always be with him and protect him. Though he did this, it was obvious that he was still frightened, so my wife and I prayed with him.

On the day of the surgery, I held my son’s hands as he was rolled into the operating theatre. “Do you remember Psalm 23?” I asked him. “Yes,” he said, and we recited the psalm together. It almost seemed that God had timed it perfectly, because we finished the psalm just as we arrived at the entrance.

To cut a long story short, the operation went smoothly and the lump turned out to be harmless. But I will never forget how both my son and I were comforted by Psalm 23 in the days leading up to the operation, and on the day itself. Amid our anxiety, God gave us comfort and confidence, reminding us that He is our Shepherd, and that He is all we need.

On that day, my son and I experienced God’s presence and assurance. Even as we walked through the dark valley, God was there, walking alongside us. The Lord is my Shepherd indeed—and my son’s too.

How has God showed you that He is the Shepherd of your life?

Lord, You are my Shepherd.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I will fear nothing,
for You are always with me,
and Your presence always comforts me.