Psalms 23:1-3
“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.” Psalms 23:1-3 NIV
May the Holy Spirit open your eyes to see the God who is our Shepherd. And may you see Jesus as the Good Shepherd who goes into the Valley of Death, so that you might live with Him forever.
Our good and faithful Shepherd gently leads and guides the sheep of His pasture in the best way that each of us should go. He knows each of our names and He knows all our needs and necessities. He is also aware of the dangers and difficulties that stalk each of our paths.
No matter how fraught and restless our lives may become, He is the One that will lead us to the still water pools of refreshment, for He Himself is the Water of Life. In Him is found rest for the soul, and this rest is freely available to all who traverse this world in the paths of righteousness en route to our heavenly home. He is the sparkling wellspring of comfort, and He gently leads us by His calm waters of stillness.
Looking at the relationship of a human shepherd and his flock is a wonderful reminder of our relationship with Jesus. The sheep recognize the voice of their shepherd, follow Him, trust Him, and depend on Him for food and protection. The relationship between a shepherd and His flock is very close, both on an individual level and for the flock in general. Shepherds put themselves in dangerous situations to protect and care for their flock. What a beautiful picture of our precious Shepherd and we as His sheep.
It was by divine design that the Lord Jesus is so beautifully represented as a tender shepherd; the Good Shepherd Who gave His life for His sheep, the Great Shepherd Who loves His own with a deep compassion, the Chief Shepherd that rescues His scattered straying sheep and gives them life, eternal life, abundant life.
Truly we can say in confidence:
“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He lets me rest in green meadows; He leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength and guides me along right paths, which brings honour to His Name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I need never be afraid, for Jesus is close beside me. His rod and staff protect and comfort me. He prepares a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. He honours me by anointing my head with oil and my cup overflows with multiplied blessings. Surely His grace and goodness and unfailing love and mercy will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of my Lord forever.
This changes everything about the way you understand the purpose of your life, I understand the purpose of my life. In other words, God has created us for our good. He wants to save us from our sins, He wants to shepherd us, lead us, guide us for our good. Oh, receive that! Receive that good news in your life but then realize it doesn’t stop with you. He does this ultimately for His Namesake for the spread of His glory. Not just for the spread of His glory generally, but for His Namesake among all the nations, among all the peoples.
That changes the way you live today. Let us keep our eyes on Jesus, our Good Shepherd Who restores our soul by making us to lie down in green pastures and gently leading us beside his waters of stillness!!!
Father, thank You for this day and for the breath that we breathe today. Lord, open of the floodgates of Your abundant blessings and let them flow over my friend and family today. Lord, we praise You that You are all we need. Thank You, Lord, that You are our Shepherd. Keep us from straying from Your path of righteousness, and may we drink deeply of You, today and be rejuvenated, refreshed, and restored. Lord use us to be the touch of Your love to all today.
Father, we love You. Amen !
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