HE LEADETH ME
"The Lord is my shepherd; I lack nothing.2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, 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 overflows. Surely, your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." [Psalm 23 NIV]
Rev. Lloyd D. Smith wrote a book called "He Leadeth Me." This is an extraordinary testament of faith. This is a telling example of God's presence in human's experiences. Each encounter tackles the many questions we struggle to answer about God's response in our human affairs, His providence in everyday lives, and deep encouragement for His often-inevitable divine silence. The candid and genuine approach to the contents of this story is mesmerizing.
After reading the title of the book, my focus immediately shifted to Psalm 23, which opens with a proclamation: "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." This proclamation is a personal one and may prompt a heart change. We are used to leading ourselves, but here, Jesus wants to lead us. As sheep, who follows the shepherd, we may not know where we are going. Jesus may even lead us to places we do not want to go, but Psalm 23 promises we will be safe because we can rest and be restored while lying in green pastures because He is leading us. As the hymn writer Joseph Gilmore says, "He leadeth me, he leadeth me; by His own hand, he leadeth me: his faithful follower I would be, by his hand he leadeth me."
Just pause for a moment and think about Psalm 23, we are never alone because we have a shepherd who loves us and guides our footsteps each day. Our shepherd provides everything we need. Our shepherd quenches our thirst. Our shepherd knows when we need rest. We do not have to work tirelessly to gain His approval. He fills us up when we are empty and tired. In a world that is relentlessly busy and chaotic, Jesus offers us rest for our souls. Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." [Matthew 11:28]
When we are not sure which way to go. We may not always know the final destination, but all we have to do is learn to place our trust in our Savior. He will guide us. He will lead us to the right path. God does not lead us through green pastures and long still wastes just for our sake. It is all for His name's sake and for His glory alone. We can only benefit from it all because of His grace.
Faith Step:
Your challenge this week is to meditate on Psalm 23 and ask yourself the following question: How good am I at following my shepherd? The next time you are feeling frantic and stressed and you are wondering how you are going to make it through the day, month, or year, remember Psalm 23. Allow God the Shepherd to guide you along His paths knowing He has everything in control. He knows what you need and He will help you get there. All you need to do is trust Him. Your green pastures and still waters are closer than you think.
Let Us Pray:
Jesus, thank you that you are our good Shepherd and we can trust you with our lives. Thank you for promising to protect and provide for us. Thank you that you restore our souls, gives us peace, and brings us hope in all of our tomorrows. Thank you for your protection and strength that surrounds us like a shield. Thank you that we never have to fear. Thank you for your goodness and love that follows and chases us, even when we are unaware. In You alone can we find rest and peace. We praise you for the assurance that we will dwell with you forever. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Written by Donnis Prass
Rev. Lloyd D. Smith wrote a book called "He Leadeth Me." This is an extraordinary testament of faith. This is a telling example of God's presence in human's experiences. Each encounter tackles the many questions we struggle to answer about God's response in our human affairs, His providence in everyday lives, and deep encouragement for His often-inevitable divine silence. The candid and genuine approach to the contents of this story is mesmerizing.
After reading the title of the book, my focus immediately shifted to Psalm 23, which opens with a proclamation: "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." This proclamation is a personal one and may prompt a heart change. We are used to leading ourselves, but here, Jesus wants to lead us. As sheep, who follows the shepherd, we may not know where we are going. Jesus may even lead us to places we do not want to go, but Psalm 23 promises we will be safe because we can rest and be restored while lying in green pastures because He is leading us. As the hymn writer Joseph Gilmore says, "He leadeth me, he leadeth me; by His own hand, he leadeth me: his faithful follower I would be, by his hand he leadeth me."
Just pause for a moment and think about Psalm 23, we are never alone because we have a shepherd who loves us and guides our footsteps each day. Our shepherd provides everything we need. Our shepherd quenches our thirst. Our shepherd knows when we need rest. We do not have to work tirelessly to gain His approval. He fills us up when we are empty and tired. In a world that is relentlessly busy and chaotic, Jesus offers us rest for our souls. Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." [Matthew 11:28]
When we are not sure which way to go. We may not always know the final destination, but all we have to do is learn to place our trust in our Savior. He will guide us. He will lead us to the right path. God does not lead us through green pastures and long still wastes just for our sake. It is all for His name's sake and for His glory alone. We can only benefit from it all because of His grace.
Faith Step:
Your challenge this week is to meditate on Psalm 23 and ask yourself the following question: How good am I at following my shepherd? The next time you are feeling frantic and stressed and you are wondering how you are going to make it through the day, month, or year, remember Psalm 23. Allow God the Shepherd to guide you along His paths knowing He has everything in control. He knows what you need and He will help you get there. All you need to do is trust Him. Your green pastures and still waters are closer than you think.
Let Us Pray:
Jesus, thank you that you are our good Shepherd and we can trust you with our lives. Thank you for promising to protect and provide for us. Thank you that you restore our souls, gives us peace, and brings us hope in all of our tomorrows. Thank you for your protection and strength that surrounds us like a shield. Thank you that we never have to fear. Thank you for your goodness and love that follows and chases us, even when we are unaware. In You alone can we find rest and peace. We praise you for the assurance that we will dwell with you forever. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Written by Donnis Prass
Posted in Mid-Week Devotional
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