The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want– Psalm 23:1

Often the impression that people have of God in the Old Testament is that He is all fire and brimstone, judgment and holiness; but here we see a hint of His humility, condescension, and intimacy. The Lord is my shepherd.

Embedded in this pastoral imagery are two clear lessons regarding, first, the predicament of the sheep and, second, the provision of the shepherd. The very statement “I shall not want because the Lord is my shepherd” implies a cavernous need without the shepherd. Indeed, all sheep are quite helpless without their protector and provider close by.

In comparing us to sheep, the psalmist suggests the danger that we are in (sheep have no claws or other natural defenses), the understanding we lack (sheep are stupid animals), the direction we need (sheep can’t hunt or find their own way), and the frailty we show (sheep are relatively fragile creatures). We need a shepherd to provide for us, direct us, help us, feed us.

Remember this is your condition, dear reader, without your Shepherd. We are sheep in our understanding, vulnerability, and weakness. Therefore, when you least understand God’s will—when it frustrates you the most, when it seems the most contrary to all that you desire—know this… it is at that moment that you are most wrong about what is good for you. Do not try to go your own way: follow your Shepherd and trust in His wisdom.

The good shepherd is watchful, he is faithful, he is tender; he knows his sheep intimately, and he is willing to sacrifice for them (remember how David risked his life to save one sheep from a lion and a bear?). Our good Shepherd provides for every need of each of His sheep, and He is intimately acquainted with our condition. He tenderly follows and embraces us when we go astray.

Can you say today, “the Lord is my shepherd?” If so, then rest assured: you shall not want.(Copied from “A Good Thing”)

In this day of hustle and bustle it is rare to see genuine acts of kindness being displayed to others. Most people are too busy and too selfish to even take time to interact lovingly with others. I recently read the following story that illustrates our need of others:

Mamie Adams was an older woman who lived in a small town in mid-America during the late 80’s. She had lived through many ups and downs in the nation over the years and had experienced much in her lifetime. She had raised three children and had been blessed with many grandchildren. Once a week she mailed letters to her children who were scattered across the country. Despite it being far from her house, she visited one specific postal branch each week. Why? Because the employees were friendly and kind to her. One Christmas season, she drove to the branch for her weekly visit, only to find a very long line of people wishing to mail gifts for the holidays. She assumed a place in line and patiently waited. A newer employee hired for the busyness of the season was feverishly seeking to help people get in and out as quickly as possible. He was providing labels, boxes, and pens to those who needed such items. The employee approached Mamie and asked the reason for her visit. Mamie replied, “I need three stamps for my letters.” “Ma’am, you don’t have to wait in line. We have a stamp machine at the front of the store from which you can purchase stamps and be on your way.” Mamie replied, “I know, but the stamp machine won’t ask me how my arthritis is doing.”

If you have never read the account of David showing kindness toward Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9:1-13) you need to do so today. It is a wonderful depiction of how God shows us kindness for Jesus’ sake. It is also a marvellous example of how we ought to express concern for others–even strangers. Just as you need encouragement from others, others need the same from you. Do something today to show that you care.

—ye shall be witnesses unto me—. Acts 1:8

In his book, The No-Guilt Guide for Witnessing, Dr. George Sweeting tells the story of John Currier, a man who was found guilty of murder and sentenced to life in prison in 1949. Sweeting tells how Currier was transferred to work on a prison farm near Nashville, Tennessee after his conviction.

After working on that farm for nearly 20 years, Currier’s sentence was cut short and he was set free. But the letter informing Currier of his freedom got lost in the mail…and he ended up serving an extra ten years of his sentence not knowing he was really a free man.

—Dr. Sweeting finished the story about John Currier with a question: “Would it matter to you if someone sent you an important message—the most important in your life—and year after year the urgent message was never delivered?”

He made a very powerful point. As believers, we have an important message of good news to deliver to those who have never experienced freedom and salvation through Jesus Christ. In Isaiah 43:12, the Lord declared, “Ye are my witnesses…that I am God.”

Are you doing everything you can to make sure people who are shackled by sin receive the message -? Maybe you personally know people who have never heard of the freedom they can have through Jesus. Determine to deliver this message of hope to all who are still imprisoned by sin.

Ask the Lord to open doors for you to share His message of salvation with others, and give you the right words when the opportunities arise. (From Senior Living)

I can’t remember the first time I read it, but I distinctly remember the first time the full weight of this verse hit me square in the face. It was a remarkable revelation! It was one of those experiences that you never forget. Although the details of my experience are not important to you, the truth of verse is of great importance to all believers. Suffering is a gift from God! It is a part of God’s plan for His children. Although we do not understand it and would not choose it, suffering plays a vital role in our spiritual development.

Cortland Myers wrote,”The finest china in the world is burned at least three times, some of it more than three times. Dresden china is always burned three times. Why does it go through that intense fire? Once ought to be enough; twice ought to be enough. No, three times are necessary to burn that china so that the gold and the crimson are brought out more beautiful and then fastened there to stay.We are fashioned after the same principle in human life. Our trials are burned into us once, twice, thrice; and by God’s grace these beautiful colors are there and they are there to stay forever.”

So then, if we are to turn trouble into triumph, let us remember these words from Theodore Cuyler:This school of our Heavenly Father will soon close for us; the term time is shortening every day. Let us not shrink from a hard lesson or wince under any rod of chastisement. The richer will be the crown, and the sweeter will be Heaven, if we endure cheerfully to the end and graduate in glory.