Today’s devotion is based on the Message: Trust Revealed (Watch Here)
I am not an experienced shepherd. But from what I understand, the main role of a shepherd was to lead the sheep to pastures they could eat from, guide them to waters they could drink from and protect them from enemies that could harm them. The indication that the shepherd was doing his job well was the peace and calm of the flock. The sheep were at peace because they knew their shepherd was taking care of them.
Yesterday pointed out the personal nature of Jesus as our Good Shepherd. The result? We lack nothing.
But that doesn’t mean we don’t have anything, but rather we have everything we need.
Psalm 23:2-3 says:
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.
For the sheep this was endless grazing until their stomachs were full. For the lambs it was plenty of water to quench their thirst. For us the result is a soul that is restored.
Life happens with challenges, disappointments, discouragements and things that can make us depressed or just feeling down. We can even allow these things to create a subconscious barrier with our God and allow that relationship to grow distant. Our physical bodies may be OK, in that we have enough to eat or drink, but our souls, our spiritual side, is left empty, depleted and out of energy.
The Lord, our Shepherd, realizes this about us his sheep and steps in to address the challenge. He knows what they need to restore their soul is the food that gives life and the water that quenches the soul. Jesus said in John 4 and John 6:
John 4:13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
John 6:32 Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
How do we get that living water and bread of life today? It’s in the Words of Jesus, the Bible. Here we find the wonderful message of forgiveness and grace. Here’s where we find powerful promises that leave us with hope and trust in tough circumstances. Here’s where we are given a perspective that at the end of all this life has to throw at us, we have eternal life waiting for us in heaven.
The picture is something like us lying down in the plush pages of the Bible and allowing our soul to be restored by all that the Lord has to give to us.
And then when it’s time to move, he guides us in paths of righteousness. One of the best ways to maintain peace in our hearts and relationships is to walk in the ways of the Lord. The Apostle Paul described what walking with the Lord looks like:
Galatians 5:22-25 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
No wonder we lack nothing. With the blessing of his Word and the guidance of his truth…we are set up for tremendous peace, joy and hope in this life.
All because the “Lord is MY shepherd!”
Apply: If your soul is not feeling refreshed at the moment, how might time in God’s Word bring your soul refreshment?
Prayer: Lord, continue to lead us to green pastures where our soul is nourished and guide us in paths of righteousness where our lives are blessed. AMEN.