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Day 23 Psalm 23 Psalm 23:1 < The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures: he leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul: he leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 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. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: you anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. When troubled times come our way, we want hope that everything will turn out okay. This is known as the shepherd’s psalm. A shepherd takes care of his flock, making certain nothing harms his sheep. He gives them food and water, nourishing them and giving them everything they need for their life. Jesus is the Good Shepherd. We are his sheep. In him we have hope, love, grace, and forgiveness. He leads us on the path we need to follow, leading to eternal life. He provides food for our weary souls – the Word of God, and water to sustain our lives, so we will never thirst again. John 4:10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that said to thee, Give me to drink; you would have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. God knew we would be surrounded by enemies and promised to take care of us. Satan is the enemy of our soul if we have accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord. Though death and hell surround us, God prepares comfort in spite of all the evil Satan brings our way. We all know Satan’s objective – to kill, steal, and destroy everyone who accepts Jesus as Savior and Lord. Jesus has an objective as well. He came to give us life. As the Good Shepherd, Jesus gives us that life. John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep. 12 But he that is a hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep, and flees: and the wolf catches them, and scatters the sheep. 13 The hireling flees, because he is a hireling, and cares not for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15 As the Father knows me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. 17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 18 No man takes it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. Satan can do nothing. He is powerless against us, because Jesus takes care of us, seeing to our every need to sustain our lives. When our life on earth is finished, we have the assurance of eternal life with him. That is our comfort, our hope as we walk the path of this life. Grace and forgiveness belong to us, if we believe and call on his name. Let’s pray: Father, thank you for giving me the assurance of eternal life with you through the shed blood of your Son, Jesus. Help me rest in him, knowing Satan can do nothing as long as I put my faith and trust in him. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen. Copyright © 11 April 2016 by Valerie Jean Routhieaux Image courtesy of Pixabay