Day 7 | February Devotional from Psalms - "Good Things From Your Good Shepherd" (Psalms 23)
Psalm 23:1, The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 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 runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
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Psalm 23 is one of the most well read and memorized passages of Scripture in the Bible. Sometimes the things with which we are familiar are passed over, so let's highlight some of key point here.
1. "He makes me lie down in green pastures." Good shepherds always took their flocks to a place where they could rest and be nourished before nightfall. I've learned that sometimes God literally makes me lie down to rest. It's better to have the good sense to know when to slow down, but sometimes over burden ourselves and God has to literally "make me lie down."
2. "He leads me beside the still waters." Shepherds knew better than to take sheep close to rushing streams of water that was disturbing and dangerous for the young lambs. God does not lead you into the noisy and confusing places. Look for His peace and still waters even when your circumstances become noisy and disturbing.
3. "He restores my soul." Your mind, will, and emotions can be disrupted and thrown into disarray by difficult circumstances. Getting quiet and alone with God allows Him to reset (or restore) your soul. Sometimes when you have a malfunctioning computer the best thing you can do is turn it off and back on again.
4. "Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." Some Bible commentators assert that the shepherd's rod and staff we're opposite ends of the same pole. Some say that the rod was used for correction and the staff was use for a drawing sheep away from danger. We should view both correction and protection are forms of "comfort."
5. "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies." In any circumstance where you are faced with loss, peril, or betrayal, know that God has already made provision for you. When the challenge ends, provision will be waiting for you on the table.
Reflection Question: What do you need the Good Shepherd to do for you?
Today’s action item based on insight:
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