Psalm 23:1 - The LORD Is My Shepherd.
Psalm 23:1: The LORD Is My Shepherd.
Psalm 23:1 (KJV) The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
COMMENTARY PEARL
Whether it's hours in the day or money in the bank, sometimes
you feel like you will never have enough, that you can never get
caught up, let alone get ahead. Especially when we look online or check
social media and see what others have, we often feel like we're missing
out.
We see other people eating incredible meals, taking amazing
vacations, and having fun with family and friends. They look beautiful and
wear amazing clothes, live in houses straight out of HGTV, and drive
new cars.
And then we wonder why we feel so disappointed with our own
lives.
Here's what you need to remember. When your contentment is
based on comparing yourself with everyone else - especially on social
media - then you will never be satisfied. Even when you know everyone
else is simply posing and photoshopping their lives, as long as you
compare, you'll come up short.
However, when your desires for your life align with God's,
you'll never feel envious or jealous. Instead, you'll feel just the
opposite - content, joyful, fulfilled.
Our primary need each day is to know him, grow closer to him,
and know his peace. When we focus on this truth and follow our Good
Shepherd, we become content in a way that Instagram can never convey.
Dear Jesus, you alone are the Lord of my life and my power
source. Remind me that I have more than enough of what my heart truly
desires through my relationship with you. [Daily Power by Craig
Groeschel]
COMMENTARY
We humans want to do things our way. Forget the easy way.
Forget the common way. Forget the best way. Forget Gods way. We want
to do things our way! And according to Isaiah 53:6 that is exactly
our problem. We all have wandered away like sheep; each of us has
gone his own way.
You wouldnt think sheep would be obstinate. Of all Gods
animals, the sheep is the least able to take care of himself. David said,
The Lord is my shepherd. We wondercouldnt David have
thought of a better metaphor? Sheep are dumb. Why didnt he choose
something other than sheep? How about, The Lord is my King and I am his
ambassador? Everyone stops when the ambassador speaks. But who notices when
Gods sheep show up? Only one person notices. The shepherd. And that
is precisely Davids point! [Max Lucado Daily Devotional at
maxlucado.com]
Herding sheep in David's time was hard work. There was
nothing romantic about the night shift; shepherds did not relax on balmy
evenings under the twinkling stars. They braved numbingly cold nights and
worked hard to protect their sheep from predators. Night and day, they
were never passive toward their flock. Shepherds had to lead, tend,
feed, protect, and nurture the animals in their care. They provided
everything necessary for their sheep's safety and well-being. To appreciate
the size of this challenge, remember that sheep are fearful,
defenseless animals. Moreover, they aren't the brightest of God's creatures.
They'll drink from anybody of water - dirty or clean - that they stumble
upon. They will not lie down unless they feel entirely secure. They
are prone to ear infections that require special attention. Yes,
sheep need a lot of care.
We are like sheep, the Bible tells us. On our own, we are
defenseless against the power of sin and death. Without guidance, we will
drink from any source of information and entertainment. We look
everywhere for security, and we're vulnerable to diseases of our spirit,
our emotions, and our mind. We, too, need a lot of care. Thank God
for appointing Jesus to be your Good Shepherd. Rest in Him today.
[Being Still With God Every Day by Henry Blackaby]
Living like a sheep can bring you incredible peace of mind!
The biblical shepherd knew everything about his sheep. He understood
what foods were best for them and what would harm them. He knew when
they should eat and when they needed their thirst quenched. The
shepherd was an expert of the terrain and was aware of the best places
for food and water. As long as the sheep trusted and followed their
shepherd, they would always have their needs met at the right time. Their
shepherd would give them the best that he had.
Do you have absolute trust in your Good Shepherd? Do you
value the nourishment that comes from Him more than any you might
obtain from the world? Do you ever worry that God might be withholding
from you something that you need? The Psalmist was convinced that he
would want for nothing. By His very nature, the Good Shepherd
cares for His sheep and would lay down His life for them (John
10:11).
Have you allowed your focus to shift from the Shepherd to
what the Shepherd gives you? If you find yourself wanting, it
is not that your Shepherd is unable or unwilling to perfectly meet
your needs. It may be that you lack the faith to receive all that He
has to give. Could it be that you have become dissatisfied with what
your Shepherd has been providing? Are you missing the joy that comes
from having a Shepherd who cares for you? Return to Him and trust Him
to meet the needs in your life that only He can. [Experiencing God
Day by Day by Henry and Richard Blackaby re Psa. 23:1, 2]
"Yes, I am your Shepherd - your good Shepherd. But don't
assume you will never feel need in this world. You've seen many who
love Me and submit to My shepherding go through seasons of lack. That
isn't a contradiction to My promise. I allow you to have needs and
expect them to drive you to Me as your Provider.
"Understand that there's a difference between having
provision and knowing a Provider. You've heard the saying that it's good
to give someone a fish but better to teach him how to fish. It's
good when I give you something you need, but it's better when I teach
you to walk with Me. My material gifts are used and then gone, but
My heart as your Provider never fades. When the Provider is your
constant companion, you never worry about whether you will have what you
need.
"That's what David meant when he said he would not want for
anything - not that he would never experience lack, but that he would
never experience lack without confidence that I would be available to
him. You can have that same confidence. Yes, you will have needs, but
you will never be in a place of unaddressed need, wondering if I am
going to come through for you. My Presence with you means that you can
be at peace about your future. I see all the days in front of you,
and you won't be forsaken in any of them. Your worst-case scenarios
aren't in My plans. I take care of My sheep, and you are one of them."
Lord, although I do have everything I need to survive right
now, I don't have everything I need to thrive or to fulfill Your
calling. But I know all of those things are in You, and I have You.
Please show me how to discover and experience Your provision at each
step in the journey. [The One Year Experiencing Gods Presence
Devotional by Chris Tiegreen]
PRACTICAL COMMENTARY
I am a shield for all who take refuge in Me. So come close to
Me and hover under the umbrella of My shielding Presence.
You sometimes feel unprotected and exposed to dangers. This
happens when you crawl out from under My protective Presence and try to
face the world on your own. You do this unconsciously, whenever you
forget the essential truth that I am with you. The fear you feel at
such times can alert you to what has happened, and the remedy is
simple: Take refuge in Me.
Shielding you from dangers is part of My job description
because I am your Shepherd. I am vigilant, and I know exactly what is on
the path ahead of you. I anticipate perilous situations and prepare
you for them. A masterful shepherd can often take care of trouble so
skillfully that his sheep remain blissfully unaware of it. So it is wise to
choose carefully the one whom you will follow - your "shepherd." I am
the only absolutely Good Shepherd. Follow Me and My ways; let Me
protect you from danger and from fear. (2Sa. 22:31; Psa. 23:1-4; John
10:11, 14, 15) [Jesus Today by Sarah Young]
LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2003/20030204-1157.html
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo [old, but one of the best]
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Seeking God Made Real: http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
Musical Devotional On Christian Living:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcotY5K7T0c
Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David DeRose, MD, MPH:
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Discover Bible Studies: http://studies.itiswritten.com/discover/
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: http://www.bibleresearch.info/
ABible.com: http://www.aBible.com
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
The Last Day of Prophecy by Pastor Doug Batchelor:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmGvdtMCf1aJTiC59-lPtuUMEq_uEn0BK
Restoring The Power by John Bradshaw:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRogO1SxoZN15Boa7BMon4BouVMdteVaq
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
Last Day Prophecy: His Other Sheep by Pastor Gerald Babanezhad:
https://vimeo.com/162267518
