The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
Psalm 23:1, NLT*
I’ve been working hard to apply the first part of this verse to my life, to get it deeply rooted and to let it change me. I believe it’s true, but life’s stresses have a way of seeming to weaken or disprove that truth.
The Lord is my shepherd.
Which Lord? The Lord. The one and only.
The Lord is my shepherd.
Who is my shepherd? The Lord. The almighty God of the universe.
The Lord is my shepherd.
There’s no room for doubt. He really is my shepherd. It’s fact.
The Lord is my shepherd.
Whose shepherd? Mine. Ours. His care is personal and individual.
The Lord is my shepherd.
He’s what? Our shepherd. Our good Shepherd. We have a basic understanding of a shepherd’s responsibilities. God has committed Himself to our care, and by His nature He will surpass our human definition.
I have a good shepherd.
I’ve been saying it a lot, reminding myself of the truth and putting my focus back on God and away from the stresses or negative feelings that swell when watched.
I say it when I’m happy. And when I’m sad, or anxious, or feeling spiritually heavy or alone. It won’t let me stay in self-pity or apathy or a sense of lack.
It works with other people too. If I’m concerned about someone, or if they’ve hurt me, there’s reassurance in whispering “The Lord is his/her shepherd too.”
God who is our Good Shepherd, forgive us for giving more weight to our feelings and circumstances than to Your word. Remind us of who You are, and anchor our spirits in Yourself. Thank You for Your grace and care, and help us to live by faith.
∞
Here’s Peter Furler’s adaptation of Psalm 23. Not how King David would have played it, but I love it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTu1X4w83mE
*New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
I really like this Janet. Simple but the truth. In Him we put our trust. Read Oswald today and he says:
“It is not only wrong to worry, it is unbelief; worrying means we do not believe that God can look after the practical details of our lives, and it is never anything but those details that worry us. ”
God is with us – we are not alone. Shepherds us so faithfully.
love
Jan