23

Today I prepared a devotion for my youth team meeting tomorrow.
In what has been a challenging time in life recently I once again found strength and hope in the words of 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.

The shepherd figure, as David knew, was one who protected, guided and nutured. Sheep are not the cleverest creatures, they need that shepherd figure, particularly in the wild they need protecting, they need guiding, they need someone who will provide for them. Jesus Christ offers all those things, that's why he is known as the good shepherd. He will always be watching over us, he will never leave, nor forsake us! In the midst of suffering, even when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, he will comfort! What joy that promise and truth brings. The reality is that life will not always be fine and dandy, living in a fallen world means a lot of rubbish happens! But through all those times we have a shepherd whose love and provision we cannot even begin to comprehend!