Today’s Devotion
Topic: The Greatest Shepherd of the Flock (Part 1)
Text: Psalm 23: 1 – 2
Today, we begin a three-day series on one of the most popular Psalms in the Bible; Psalm 23. We hope your faith and joy in the Lord as the Shepherd under whose care you are reported safe, will increase after this study. It is in Him we live, move and have our being. Why do we still worry and faint like a flock without a Shepherd? Now let’s delve straight into the first part of this series, sub-titled:
“The Lord Our Provider”
Introduction: In life, we sometimes become too familiar with certain things, even to the extent that we lose the value of the same. Again, as Christians, there are some scriptures (verses and chapters) that we have recited over the years until most of us have lost the GREAT REVELATION AND POWER behind them. Many a time, we recite them out of our memory without the consciousness to meditate on them. Psalm 23 happens to be one of such texts. Let us reflect and meditate more on the words of this Psalm from now on.
Vrs 1 – “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” This is a very powerful statement that needs careful reflection. Any attempt to replace “the Lord” in the verse will amount to nothing. We couldn’t replace “the LORD” with My Husband/Wife is my shepherd, or my job/work is my shepherd, or my father/mother is my shepherd. You will still want if any of the above is your shepherd. Some people have been disappointed by their spouses in life, others have lost their jobs which they thought to be the source of their livelihood.
Brethren, when the Lord remains your shepherd, there is nothing in this world that you will lack or want. We can boldly confess this when we have absolutely surrendered to Him and trust Him in all situations.
More so, Psalm 24: 1, quotes the earth as being the Lord’s and its fullness thereof. Jesus also encouraged that we seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto us (Matthew 6: 33). It is interesting to know that God is more prepared to bless us than we are even prepared to receive from Him.
However, we often get so overwhelmed with the events of this life that we neglect Him to the background in almost everything we do. We seek and chase after everything that promises anything but can’t even find the passion to seek the Lord for provision.
Vrs 2 – “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me besides the still waters.” Every shepherd leads the flock to a place where he can find pasture. How wonderful it is to know that the Lord being our Shepherd causes us to lie down (dwell) in green pastures (abundant blessings). It is also a place of constant nourishment as both the “green pasture” and the “still waters” remain readily available for all who thirst and hunger.
Begin to pray now, repent of each day you failed to see the great provision of God in your life and complained bitterly to those around you just because you had a need that was yet to be met.
Pray for the grace to see beyond your circumstance in order to perceive the abundant blessings in Christ for your take.
You see, God promises to supply all your needs according to His riches in glory through Christ Jesus. Confess this to possess; until your life becomes one rich oasis in the middle of this dry and deserted land.
