Message Magazine’s Online Devotional for Monday, January 15, 2018
Listen to “Thoughts in Worship 01.15.2018” on Spreaker.
This is devotional thought number 50 in our devotional series, God’s Promises are Sure!
We are going to have a look at the 23rd Psalm as one great big promise for the next several days and listen out for God’s message to us.
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1).
Sheep are not the sharpest knives in the drawer sometimes. They need to be led, protected, accompanied, guided, and pastored (fed and nurtured). I find it intriguing, then, that Jesus so identifies Himself with our human needs that He became the Lamb who was slain to take away the sins of the world. The Good Shepherd became a lamb to save the sheep. There must be a lesson in that somewhere. As you meditate upon that, give thanks!
Satisfied Sheep
King David, a seasoned shepherd, who diligently provided for and protected his sheep, saw God as his Shepherd. This is a trustful attitude for a man like David. He understood what it took to provide for sheep. He knew the dangers shepherds protected them from. There was no shortage of predators waiting to pounce the moment the sheep wandered away from the fold or were unprotected. He said that with His Lord, the One who comes near to those He loves, as his shepherd, he will be satisfied in all areas of his life. He would not be in want for affection. He would not be in want for food. He would not be in want of clothing. He would not be in want for power to live righteously. He would not be in want for heavenly companionship. He would not be in want for wisdom. Does this mean that David never felt the burden of living on this sinful earth? No. It means that whenever David stayed by God’s side, that whenever he had a need, God supplied it.
What the Shepherd Knows
This can be your testimony. You can also rest assured that with God by your side you will have confidence that all your needs will be supplied. He knows you need money, food, clothing, shelter, good relationships, and emotional healing. He knows you need strength when trials comes. If you accept the Lamb of God, as your Shepherd, He will supply all your need according to His riches in glory. Just trust Him. Trust in His timing. Trust that He knows what He’s doing. The mouth of the Lord has spoken.
