Michelle Bauer ~ The Nature of Our Good Shepherd
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd,
I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake
Even 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.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
I invite you to find a quiet spot in your home or outdoors where you can be alone with God for a few moments. Once you are settled, spend a few moments in silence. Offer a prayer to God, thanking him for his presence and inviting him to speak to you.
Slowly read through Psalm 23. You may want to experiment with reading it out loud. Pause in between each verse to allow time for the words to really sink in.
Focus your attention on verses one and two of Psalm 23. What word or phrase stands out to you?
Consider these questions:
- Does knowing that “the Lord is my shepherd” help you to lay down your work in order to rest?
- What is the job description of a shepherd? How do those things relate to God’s work in your life?
- Have there been times when it has been hard for you to know the Lord as your shepherd? What would it look like to be as certain as David was?
“The Lord is MY shepherd.” He is not just the shepherd assigned to the flock you happen to be in. The Lord is YOUR shepherd. How does that make you feel? In what area of your life are you grateful to have a shepherd today?
What are the things that you want? Make a list and offer those things to your good shepherd.
Why would a sheep look forward to lying down in green pastures? Do green pastures, and all they have to offer, sound refreshing to you?
We have recently seen and heard in the news about the destruction that “un-quiet” waters can cause. Think of a time when you were able to spend time near quiet waters. What effect did that time have on your body and soul?
Thank God for the blessings of your day. Ask God for guidance as you live the rest of your day. And leave this quiet time in peace knowing you never leave the Shepherd’s presence.