Ps. 23:1-6 (A Psalm of David.)  THE Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his names sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

UNPACKING:  The way a shepherd and his sheep provides for his flock illustrates the relationship between the Lord and His children.  The “Great Shepherd” provides, leads, refreshes, protects and comforts all His children.  He provisions them presently and prepares for them permanently.

There is a danger of over familiarity with this passage.  Most of us have heard it or maybe even memorized it at some point in our lives.  The reason it is used so often is that generation after generation have found peace and comfort in its words.  The end result is that I am provided for even in the presence of my enemies and I have more than enough, now and into eternity.

If the Lord is my Shepherd then He will do for me all that a good shepherd would be expected to do for his sheep.  I too can find rest in Psalm 23 by applying its promises directly to my life.  Two of the greatest are what I call the twin erasers of God, “goodness and mercy”.  The promise is that they will follow me all the days of my life.  I certainly need them to.  Then, I will spend eternity “in the house of the Lord forever”.

PRAYER:  Dear Father, help me to trust that You have an ever watchful eye, a tender heart and powerful hands ready to guide and protect me every moment as I follow You.  Assist my faith as I seek to place my trust in Your eternal plan for my life.  In Jesus’ Name, amen.

COMMITMENT:  I will practice the presence of God.   I know that He is there, even when my senses do not reveal His presence.  I trust that He has only good things in store for me.  As a sheep daily I yield to the Shepherd’s leading in my life.

6:33)

Are there any other lessons in this Word for me today?

What will the consequences be, if I don’t apply these truths in my life?

What else do I need to confess today?  Pray about?

Is there anything in my life that will keep me from honoring this commitment?  What will I do about it?