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Scripture for the day: Psalm 23:1-6 The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; he leads 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 your ware with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Thought for the day: Jesus said, “I am the Good Shepherd; the Good Shepherd gives his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11) But what else can the sheep expect from the Shepherd? I’m not going to take the time to go into all that might mean; if you’d like to read the best examination of Psalm 23 ever written, find the book, “A Shepherd Looks at the 23rd Psalm.” There you will find tremendous insights. For today, and perhaps tomorrow, let’s look at just a few of the promises we find in this oh-so-familiar Psalm.
First, He gives satisfaction. “I shall not want.” I’ve never seen a sheep worrying about tomorrow. In fact, every sheep I’ve ever seen, whether in the movies or in real life, didn’t actually seem to be worried about anything. Every once in a while, they might look up to see if the shepherd was still there and, if he was, they would simply go back to grazing in the pasture. Neither should we worry about the future. Jesus said that if we’re willing to put him and his kingdom first, “all these things will be added unto you.” What things? Our daily bread, the clothes we need, the essentials of this life.
Does that mean we never have to be concerned about a job or what to do with what He’s provided? Of course not; we still have a part to play in our own lives. What it does mean is that there are more important things to be concerned about than making a living. When we cast aside all the anxiety the world provides for us and trust completely that the Shepherd is going to provide, then we can concentrate on what’s truly important; feeding in his pasture.
Second, He gives serenity. “He makes me to lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters.” Even sheep that trust their shepherd become tired and hot in the noonday sun. When that happens, the good shepherd leads them to a place where there’s shade and cool soft grass to lie on. He stays with them until they’re refreshed and ready to move on.
Inevitably the sheep will get thirsty and must have cool water to refresh themselves. Again, the shepherd leads them to still waters so they can drink until their thirst is gone. Sheep are afraid of swift running water and will die of thirst rather than drink from such a stream. But the Good Shepherd leads his flock by the still waters where each of them can rest, meditate and pray; where they can be restored to wholeness.
Third, He gives strength. “He restores my soul.” Sheep are weak animals. They walk about on legs ill equipped to provide stability and tire easily. They have poor eyesight and a very poor sense of direction (which helps to explain the parable of the lost sheep). The shepherd must be on guard continually to make sure they don’t wander off and become lost. And the Good Shepherd provides all this for each one in his flock.
When we’ve been wounded and weakened by the challenges of life, he often calls us aside to rest and recuperate. When we are in danger of losing our way, he gently comes alongside and, with that still small voice says, “This is the way, walk in it.” When the way becomes steep and dark, he provides the light for our path and strength for the climb. When we are exhausted by the world, he restores our soul, often by keeping us among the flock.
How like sheep we are! Worried, harassed, fearful, tired and too often lost. How desperately we need the Good Shepherd to show us the way, clear the path we must follow, provide strength for the journey and restore us to health when the cares of this world have knocked us down.
We’ll talk more about this tomorrow, but just for today why not take a few moments to lift up your head from the task you’ve involved with, look at the Good Shepherd watching over you, spend some time beside those still waters, and allow him to restore your soul.
Now go take on your world. - Bill