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If there’s one thing our bodies remind us of daily, it’s this: we need water. In fact, we’re made up of about 70% water, and doctors recommend we drink 6–8 cups a day just to keep our systems functioning. But did you know that sheep—those wooly, wandering animals the Bible so often compares us to—need around 5 gallons of water a day?

Let that sink in.

That’s a staggering amount. And because of that, a good shepherd spends a significant part of their day seeking out water sources to make sure the sheep get what they need. Whether the flock is moving to a new pasture or resting for the night, finding and providing water is a top priority for the shepherd.

So when David writes in Psalm 23, “He leads me beside still waters,” he’s painting a beautiful picture. But I don’t think the most powerful word in that sentence is “waters.”

It’s “He.”

Who Is Leading You?

“He” is the shepherd. For David, that was the God he intimately knew and trusted. For us, that Shepherd is Jesus—the One who lays down His life for His sheep.

Now let’s be honest: sheep are not known for their intelligence. They have no internal compass. They wander. They panic. They follow each other off cliffs. It’s kind of hilarious (and humbling) that God so often compares us to sheep. But the truth is, it’s accurate.

Because we also struggle to find our way.

Our natural desires—our “default settings”—are often out of alignment with God’s direction. My flesh craves indulgence. Others chase after money, approval, success, or cultural acceptance. We are guided by something. But is it guiding us to life—or away from it?

Galatians 5:17 (NIV) says,
“For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh.”
There’s a war inside us—and unless we let the right Shepherd lead, we’ll be following faulty instincts straight into spiritual dehydration.

Saltwater Looks Good... Until It Kills You

Here’s the thing about thirst: it will lead you somewhere. If you’re not letting Jesus lead you to living water, you’ll find yourself drinking spiritual saltwater. It looks refreshing. It sparkles in the sunlight. But the more you drink, the thirstier you become—and eventually, it will destroy you.

That’s what worldly pursuits do. They promise fulfillment—relationships, fame, money, approval—but leave us emptier than before.

But Jesus said in John 6:35 (NIV),
“I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”

And again in John 4:13–14 (NIV),
“Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst.”

Only Jesus satisfies. He doesn’t offer a temporary fix; He offers living water—refreshment that restores, sustains, and overflows into eternal life.

Three Ways the Shepherd Gives Water

According to pastor and shepherd Phillip Keller, sheep in dry regions like ancient Israel were provided water in three ways: dew, streams, and wells. Each one paints a unique picture of how the Good Shepherd nourishes our soul.

1. Dew: Early Morning Encounters

Most people don’t realize that sheep can go long stretches without drinking from a stream—if they feed in the early morning when the grass is covered in dew. That morning moisture gives them the water they need.

It’s the same for us.

There’s something sacred about beginning our day in the presence of God. Reading Scripture, praying, sitting quietly with Him in the dawn—these moments are like dew for our soul.

Matthew 4:4 (NIV) says,
“Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

I once heard someone say, “Not every meal I’ve eaten was memorable, but every meal was essential.” That’s how it is with God’s Word. You may not feel something every single time. But your soul is still being fed.

Even when I don’t feel it, I trust that His Word is doing something deep in me. Because Isaiah 55:11 (NLT) tells us,
“It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit.”

2. Streams: Worship with the Flock

Every so often, the shepherd would lead the whole flock to a stream where they could all drink deeply together. This wasn’t a replacement for their daily dew; it was an overflow—a corporate experience of refreshment.

This is a beautiful picture of the local church.

Coming together in worship, community, and the Word fills us in ways that personal time alone can’t. Hebrews 10:25 (AMP) urges us,
“Not forsaking our meeting together… but encouraging one another.”

Acts 2:42 (NIV) describes the early church as devoted to teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer. These weren’t occasional activities; they were foundational practices.

You can experience God alone—but something powerful happens when we come together. I’ve had personal encounters with Jesus in my quiet time, but I’ve had life-changing encounters in a room full of believers, all worshiping in unity.

We were never meant to go it alone.

Psalm 92:13 (NIV) says,
“Planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish.”

The church is the stream where the sheep drink together—and where we are filled to overflow.

3. Wells: Digging Deep in Dry Seasons

Unlike dew or streams, wells aren’t found—they’re made. Wells are dug, often in the driest seasons. And sometimes, when everything feels barren and empty, God calls us to dig deep.

You may be in a spiritual drought right now. Life feels dry. You’re discouraged, drained, maybe even on the verge of giving up.

But don’t stop digging.

Go deeper into God’s presence. Press into worship. Read His Word even when it feels dull. Keep showing up.

Because in time, water will flow.

Jesus is not just the Shepherd—He is the wellspring. And when we dig into Him, we find more than enough.

Final Question: Are You Thirsty?

Are you drinking the world’s saltwater? Or are you being led to still waters by the Shepherd who knows your every need?

Psalm 42:1 (NIV) says,
“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.”

Let Him lead you. Not just to any water, but to still, living, satisfying water.

Because when the Lord is your Shepherd, you’ll never thirst again.