A Shepherd and His Flock
The 23rd Psalm is a powerful declaration of trust and dependence on God. Today, we’ll look at how the first few words reveal a core belief that to accept God as our shepherd, we acknowledge that He is the One who provides for our every need. He is the ultimate source of comfort, guidance, and protection.
Just as a shepherd cares for his flock, tending to their every need and leading them to safe pastures, God also cares for us, His children.
The psalmist goes on to describe how God cares for His sheep. He makes us "lie down in green pastures," a metaphor for providing rest and security. He leads us "beside quiet waters," quenching our thirst and offering us peace. He "refreshes our soul," restoring our inner strength and well-being.
One of the most comforting promises in Psalm 23 is that God "guides me along the right paths for his name's sake." Even when you are unsure of the way, you can trust that God will lead you in the right way (John 14:6). He will not allow you to wander into harm's way, for His name's sake.
How can knowing the Lord as your shepherd provide you with contentment when facing challenges? Repeat these words until they sink deep into your soul: The Lord is my shepherd, He will never leave me or forsake me. He will always provide for my needs and guide me on the right path.
Choosing Him
Making decisions is hard.
When we attempt to make the perfect decision, we can often find ourselves stuck in indecision. And while we should always prayerfully discern our next steps according to God’s Word and His ways, sometimes we overcomplicate things.
In his first letter to the Corinthians, the apostle Paul was addressing an issue about food, regarding what they should or shouldn’t eat. So Paul took some of the pressure off Christians by saying:
“So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
1 Corinthians 10:31 NLT
While this passage was originally about food, the principle can be applied to any area of life. Whatever choice you make, do it to glorify God. In this way, you will keep your conscience clear.
Whether you’re preparing a meal or making a business deal. Whether you’re playing sports or building houses. Whether you’re leading a team or raising kids. Whether you’re crunching numbers or ...