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Daily Devotional
Tuesday August 1st 2023
Title: The Lord is the Shepherd of His People
(Psalm 23:1-6).The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of
righteousnessFor His name’s sake.4 Yea, 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 runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will [d]dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.
In describing the Lord as a shepherd. David was writing out of his own experience; he had spent his early years caring for sheep ( 1 Samuel 16:10-11). Sheep are completely dependent on their shepherd for provision, guidance, and protection. The New Testament refers to Jesus as our Good Shepherd (John 10:11, Hebrews 13:20;1 Peter 5:4). And if the Lord is the Good Shepherd, we are His Sheep, not frightened, passive animals, but obedient followers, wise enough to follow the one who will lead in in the right places and the right ways.
This Psalm does not focus on the passive qualities of sheep but on the Shepherd who protects and guides them. When you recognize the Good shepherd, follow him! (23:2-3). When we allow God, our Shepherd to guide us, we have contentment and refreshment. When we choose to sin, however, we go our own way and cannot blame God for the environment we create for ourselves. Our shepherd knows the green pastures and quiet waters that will restore us.
We will reach these places only by following Him obediently. Rebelling against the Shepherd's leading is actually rebelling against our own best interests. Remember this, any time you are tempted to go your own way rather than the Shepherd's way, you may fall in a pit . Let us allow Him to direct us and we will not miss our ways In Jesus name.
Prayers: Please Lord , help us to follow you wherever you may lead us to in Jesus name. Amen.
Further Reading: Job 10.
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