Prayer: Father, I desire to see You as David writes in this psalm. I acknowledge You as my Shepherd. May I follow You obediently as a sheep would. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Reading: Psalm 23 key: vs. 1
1 A psalm of David.
Adonai is my shepherd, I shall not want.
Attention: David had experience as a shepherd (1 Samuel 17:33-37). It was his experience as a shepherd which prepared him to fight the Philistine giant. It was his experience as a shepherd which qualified him to recognize Adonai’s character as a Sovereign Shepherd. He had experienced God’s protection, provision and provident care and it was easy for him to acknowledge Adonai as his Shepherd.
It is the perfect time to reflect on how God has been a Shepherd to me. With seventy years of my life approaching on earth, it is easy for me to see and acknowledge God’s providence in my life. There has been pain and suffering, and loss upon the way. Some very tough life lessons. There has been straying and repentance, recovery, restoration, and repurposing. I can say I have never lacked. God has always provided enough.
Am I satisfied with “enough?” I can hear the response, “What is enough?” We don’t know, because we do not know the future, but we know the one who does. Paul tells a young Timothy (1 Timothy 6:6-8) the definition of godliness with contentment. “Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, so we cannot take anything out of it. But having food and clothing, with these things we shall be content.”
If I claim God as my Shepherd, will I embrace contentment as God sees it?
Action: I will claim God as my Shepherd from this day forward.
Yield: When I acknowledge God as my Shepherd, I need not stress about His provision, protection, and care.
Relationship: When I acknowledge God, He becomes the Guardian of my soul and life.
Prayer: Father, You have been so good to me, so good to me, You have been. You are Sovereign, You are Lord. Thank You for the next breath, my next drink of water, for peaceful, restorative sleep. Amen.
Memory Verse: 1 Timothy 6:6-8 “Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, so we cannot take anything out of it. But having food and clothing, with these things we shall be content.”
Music Video: Keith Green – The Lord is my Shepherd – Psalm 23 – with lyrics
Remember, “Abide in Jesus, today!”