The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:1-4
It seems like the past few weeks have been like a car wheel with loose lug nuts, the further along it goes, the more it begins to spin out of control. Within a few short weeks of becoming aware of the Coronavirus our lives as we live them has completely changed.Mainly because this microscopic virus has affected every area of our lives, how we work, travel, function with others, financially, etc. If you take time to look, it affected some more so than others. Why is that? One word FEAR, a word we seem to cause fear itself! The more this powerful spirit is left to develop the more irrational we become and left unchecked, we become capable of doing things we never would have thought we would, like having a run on stores for toilet paper. Something we usually take for granted and has become just a daily commodity to make our lives better becomes more valuable than gold! Cleaning products, hand sanitizer, tissues, water, etc all the ‘basics’ of life wiped out of stores, simply out of fear and self preservation. The real us begins to show and if we take an honest look at ourselves we will see the insecurity and selfishness that produces such reactions.
So why are some people so terrified and others not? Because of trust, trust in Someone instead of something, His name is Jesus. It’s not that people who trust in Him don’t have a certain level of fear, but rather that the fear is calmed when we rest in Who the Creator of this world is rather than in the things of the world itself. We’ve heard the old saying, “it’s not what you know but who you know” and in this case it is so true. Right now the experts and leaders in this world can give you facts, that seem to change daily. But I want you to take a break and look to the One who Created you and listen to what He is saying to you in this Psalm. Let your heart and mind rest for a bit from all the chaos swirling around you and know there is a loving Shepherd that wants to get you through this temporary crisis.
A true shepherd, cares for his sheep in every area of their lives so they have no lack as they go through life. They may walk through lean places, but the shepherd knows what they need and is leading them to more lush pastures. Now there is something interesting to know about sheep, even when they get to the green pastures they cannot rest if they are stressed. That’s right, when sheep are stressed, they can’t lay down and relax, that’s why the shepherd does all he can to keep the sheep relying on the shepherd’s provision, so they never have to be concerned. That trust causes the sheep to be able to lie down and rest by the quiet waters where they find refreshing waters to cool and restore their weariness. It’s the same for us, our Shepherd wants us to rest and trust in Him, so that we can always know provision will be there for us and we don’t need to stress. As we rest we can enjoy our souls (mind, will and emotions) being refreshed by His Word and presence.
Once the sheep know to trust and rely on their shepherd daily, when they come to a dangerous place, they aren’t stressed because they know the shepherd is their to lead, guide, and protect them and though there is danger around them, they allow the shepherd to comfort them. How blessed are those sheep to be in a place of danger, but because they know how much the shepherd cares for them they don’t have to rely on themselves for protection, but just rest in knowing they are taken care of and they listen to what He says.
Today God is asking you to take a break from all the things that seem to be going out of control and just rest and be refreshed by His Word and knowing He is present with you in all that is happening around us. I encourage you to read this entire Psalm 23 and think about what the Lord is offering you. If you are not experiencing the peace and comfort that a relationship with Jesus, our Shepherd provides, today may the very day you can receive it. If you would like to have Jesus Shepherd you through this life then pray this simple prayer: Jesus, I am tired and weary of trying to live this life on my own. I believe with my heart You truly love me and that You died on the cross to forgive me and rose again to set me free from all my sins. Today I accept this gift of love, mercy and grace and ask you to become my Shepherd, Lord and Savior of my life. I now walk this life in Your care and I know You will never leave or forsake me. Amen
If you prayed this prayer, welcome to the family of God and please let us know so we can send you a gift to help you walk in your new life with Jesus.
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