Today’s Reading:
Psalm 23
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures: he leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul: he leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou prepares a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anoints my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.”
(Psalm 23:1-6 KJV)
The Psalm for our consideration is one that is so popular and widely thought and recited by almost all age groups as long as you have a devoted Christian leader parents, school, and guardian. Making the Lord your/my shepherd is a decision one has to make, just as the prodigal son said in Luke 15:18. "I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee," and so either for repentance or in any situation you can find yourself, you possess the right to choose whom you want to call on to help you.
"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." (v. 1) Our Lord and creator knows all we need again the shepherd is the one who knows where the green grass is, safe pasture without wolves or any danger, good drinkable water and shade from harsh weather and to rest; but He equally said in Matthew 7:7 "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:" So, we have been given an open cheque to draw from through prayer.
Also in Revelation 5:5 "And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to lose the seven seals thereof." while the writer was weeping for the hopelessness in the vision, then God's mercy was aroused through the lion of the tribe of Judah, the lamb of God that was slain in the person of Jesus Christ our Lord. And that is why those who have made the Lord their shepherd shall not be in want of anything good, they will renew their strength, mount up with wings like eagles, shall run and walk but will not be weary nor tired and they shall be more than conquerors.
Also, "Though I walk through the valley of death, I shall fear no evil" (v. 4), knowing that the ability of God to rescue, to provide or sustain in want and need is sure. Because He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? (Romans 8:32 KJV)
OLUFEMI AMORAN
Prayer:
Thank you Father, for the month of May and victories for both seen and unseen battles, in Jesus name.
My Father, Give me the grace to follow your leading, protection and provisions, in Jesus name.
As I confess You as my Shepherd, let Your rod and Your staff comfort me in my onwards journey, in Jesus name.
Be the Shepherd for all our leaders in Nigeria, and in our churches, direct and inspire them by Your Holy Spirit, and select for us a Shepherd after your own heart, in Jesus name.
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