Psalm 23 is all about the relationship of David with the Lord, whom he calls his “Shepherd.” Manifestations of the relationship are evidenced all throughout the Psalm:

— It opens by saying, “The Lord is my Shepherd.” That is literally, “Yahweh is the One shepherding me.” God is personally involved in “shepherding” his sheep.
— Then follows a series of verbs indicating what the Shepherd does for His sheep, and they all involve personal interaction: “He leads me … He makes me lie down … He restores my soul …” etc. He is is personally involved in the life of His sheep.
— When David “walks through the valley of the shadow of death” he “will fear no evil” — WHY? “For You are with me.” It is the personal presence of the Shepherd which is his comfort in times of trial.
— Then the Psalm culminates with a glimpse of the final goal for David (and for each of God’s people), and what is it? To “dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Life on earth was all about the relationship between the Shepherd and His sheep. And life eternal is more of the same. The blessing of heaven for God’s sheep is that they will dwell with Him, enjoying their personal relationship with Him forever.

Meaningful religion is not about a series of “religious acts” or ceremonies. It is about a real, personal relationship with the God of the Bible, which comes through Jesus Christ (John 14:6). Ask yourself today: is this true for me? Is my religious experience, like David’s, all about the relationship with my Shepherd?