Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 23:1-6
Ps 23:1-6
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not be in want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Matt 9:36-37
36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.
The Lord wants to lead his people. When we consider what mankind has done to the God who made them, it is amazing to know he still loves us. After the creation things quickly went wrong. People rejected the God who made them and began to think and do every kind of wickedness. One can only imagine the world in that time. God was so disheartened that he decided to just destroy the whole world and start over but then he saw Noah. Because he was a righteous man, he was spared along with his family from the flood that God sent on the earth.
But our God is a God of compassion and is full of mercy. So because of his great love, his tender mercies motivated him to extend his grace to mankind and offer everyone an opportunity to have their sins forgiven and to start over in life. We can be counted righteous, totally free from sin, and we can live with him in the eternal home he prepares for his own. Now this is love, it is not that we love God but that he loves us so much he sent his Son to die as a substitute for our sin.
So the Great Shepherd wants to lead his people and all who will follow him will have their needs supplied. Whatever we face in life, he will be with us and he will protect us. He will provide pasture for our spiritual nourishment and abundant spiritual water that is sparkling pure for our refreshment and to sustain us.
O Lord God it is such a blessing to know that you care for me and that every day, no matter what I face, you are with me and are watching over me. I face difficult times and feel like a child, not knowing what I should do but when I turn to you and put my trust in you, things always work according to your plan. But the really hard part is genuinely trusting you and not trying to do it all myself. Give me more and greater faith. Use me and all you have given me to your glory. Bless your people everywhere as they seek to serve you. I pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
