January 23, 2025
Who could the Father have chosen to write in a shepherd’s language more perfectly than the young Psalmist-shepherd, David? When we come to the mountaintop of Psalm 23, our hearts are thrilled and comforted with a song (written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit) that will forever be one of our most cherished.
THE VERBS
Notice the twelve glorious and descriptive verbs unrolling like a lush carpet in each phrase, describing what our Shepherd is and does for His sheep (things He does for no other flock.)
· He IS my Shepherd. He belongs to me, and I belong to Him.
· He MAKES me lie down in green pastures and feed.
· He LEADS me beside still waters to satisfy my thirst.
· He RESTORES my soul, over and over again, whenever needed!
· He GUIDES me in all the right paths so He might be seen as the Good Shepherd that He is.
· He IS with me, even in the valley of the shadow of death so I fear no evil.
· He COMFORTS me with His rod and staff.
· He PREPARES a table before me (even in the presence of my enemies!)
· He ANOINTS my head with oil, salving my hurts.
· He MAKES my cup overflow.
· He FOLLOWS me with goodness and mercy all the days of this life.
· And He lets me DWELL in His house forever.
Rehearse each phrase again and again and you will find more with each reading. He provides this care continually. He does this while we sleep, for He never slumbers. He does it when we are good and bad, doubting and faithful, wise and foolish. Without this care, we would be hopeless and adrift.
OUR GREAT PROBLEM
… is that we do not realize nor depend upon this matchless care as we should. We keep running away and waste precious days thinking we can manage life on our own.
“No one can trust providence till he distrusts himself; and no one can say, ‘the Lord is my Shepherd,’ until he has given up every idle notion that he can control himself … we never doubt our power to accomplish our own intentions. And then, by a little maneuvering, we think we can extricate ourselves from our difficulties.” (Charles Spurgeon)
We are sheep, pure and simple. We are wayward and foolish at every turn. But as we humbly come to the end of ourselves and gladly surrender to the Shepherd’s care, we begin to know the level of care and leadership we were designed to enjoy. And then we begin to realize the astounding reality … He will never let go! We will remain in His house forever!
What a Shepherd! What a Savior! What a Lord!
January 22, 2025
When you enter freely into the throne room because Christ has “given us an introduction by faith into this grace in which we now stand” (Romans 5:2) … never forget the price paid for your freedom and salvation.
Stand in awe of Him … and stand humbly.
January 21, 2025
We must cooperate with God in ways that make it so. We should be careful that it is nothing less … that we are creating an environment where people are encountering God and communing with Him. A place alive with His presence.
January 20, 2025
Look back over your life with eyes of faith as much as you can, and realize the magnitude of what God has done for you, the comprehensiveness of His work in and through you … and give Him thanks.
And then rise up and walk in humility today before your God.
