Reading: Psalms 23-30
The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever (Ps. 23:1-6).
This short Psalm is one of the best-known, most often quoted passages in the Old Testament. From its verses, we draw comfort and strength. The image of God leading us, guarding us, and painstakingly caring for us acts as a balm for bruised and battered hearts, and the promise of an eternal future in the house of the Lord soothes our troubled spirits. Oftentimes we read or recite this Psalm to aid in restoring our faith in the face of otherwise unbearable sorrow. Yet, while the words offer tremendous comfort in times of tragedy, they apply equally well to our day-to-day journey with the Lord.
No other livestock requires quite as much attention as sheep. When left alone, a sheep will find its own path, blindly following it back and forth until it becomes rutted and spoiled, gradually wandering further and further in its own direction until it has become separated from the rest of the flock. Lost and alone, it will soon perish if it is not found.
Human beings, by nature, are much like sheep. We, too, will blindly and habitually follow a single path, becoming so wrapped up in our own affairs that we lose sight of all else. Left to our own devices, we wander down crooked walkways that ultimately lead to utter ruin and destruction. This is what would happen to every single one of us were it not for the guidance and the saving grace of our Lord and Savior. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all (Is. 53:6).
The 23rd Psalm should be a message we reflect upon daily, not just during times of weakness and fear. The enemy has laid his trap; he waits for us stray from the paths of righteousness so that he might snare us while we are alone and confused. In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them (II Cor. 4:4). It is only our Lord, our great and faithful Shepherd, that ensures our safety and can lead us back to the path of righteousness, but He will do so only for those who are willing to follow Him. We must accept Him as our Shepherd and give ourselves entirely to His loving care. Only then will we know the peace that comes from living within the all-encompassing protection of God.
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand (John 10:27-28).
Thought for Today: Accepting the folly of our nature is the first step to accepting we need God’s guidance.
Christ Revealed: As our Shepherd (Ps. 23). Christ called Himself the Good Shepherd and vowed to lay down His life for the sheep (John 10:11).
Word Studies:26:1 slide = waver, fall; 26:2 reins = desires and thoughts; 26:4 dissemblers = pretenders, deceitful ones; 28:2 Holy Oracle = Mercy Seat in the Holy of Holies; 28:3 mischief = evil.
Pray For Staff:Judy McCrary • Government Officials: Rep.Virginia Foxx (NC) • Country: Sierra Leone (5,743,725) Western Africa • Major Languages: English, Mende, Temne, Krio • Religious Freedom • 60% Muslim; 10% Christian; 30% Indigenous Beliefs • Prayer Suggestion: Trust the Lord; He will never forsake you (Ps. 9:10).
Optional Readings: Colossians 2