Scripture Reading — Psalm 23:4Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. . . .— Psalm 23:4As we noted earlier (July 4), Psalm 23 is attributed to King David. In this part of the psalm, David may be recalling not only his own shepherding days but also tim
Scripture Reading — Psalm 23:3He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.— Psalm 23:3While sheep are not marked in the same way as cattle, they do bear the mark of their owner along with other helpful information that identifies them.The Lord’s sheep also carry the name of their shepherd
Scripture Reading — Psalm 23:3He guides me along the right paths. . . .— Psalm 23:3The shepherd’s main goal for his sheep is soul care. Our souls suffer when we are running quickly and taking life at a pace that is unsustainable. When we try to chart our own course, we often misjudge the best way fo
Scripture Reading — Psalm 23:3He refreshes my soul.— Psalm 23:3There is good profit for the shepherd who takes good care of his sheep. Good care means it is less likely for the sheep to suffer disease or exhaustion. Good care means the sheep will more likely fetch a good price at the market.But that
Scripture Reading — Psalm 23:2-3He leads me beside quiet waters.— Psalm 23:2Water bottles are everywhere these days. Most of us know that our bodies need water and that dehydration can have devastating consequences.A good shepherd knows that the dry air and relentless sun in a desert climate can dry
Scripture Reading — Psalm 23:2-3He makes me lie down in green pastures. . . .— Psalm 23:2It is a busy season as I write this short devotional message. My list of responsibilities has increased lately, and I have less open time than I would like.Sheep have a difficult time pacing themselves as well.
Scripture Reading — Philippians 4:12-13I have learned the secret of being content in . . . every situation . . . whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.— Philippians 4:12-13The apostle Paul was someone who followed the Lord as his shepherd through da
Scripture Reading — Psalm 23:1. . . I lack nothing.— Psalm 23:1This is a bold statement for the psalm writer to make: “I lack nothing.” Is this a statement that you can make too?This psalm is attributed to King David, so we might think, “It’s easy for a king to say that he lacks nothing!” (David’s s
Scripture Reading — Psalm 23:1-3We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way. . . .— Isaiah 53:6Sheep need particular care. They need to be led to still waters because they can’t drink safely from fast-moving streams. They can’t predict when the grass will run out and w
Scripture Reading — Psalm 23:1The Lord is my shepherd. . . .— Psalm 23:1If the Lord is our shepherd, then the psalm writer is thinking of us as sheep.I’m not so sure that I like being compared to a sheep. Sheep are not very bright. Humans are far more intelligent. For better or worse, we have more c
Scripture Reading — Psalm 23:1-6The Lord is my shepherd. . . .— Psalm 23:1There are many times when I have needed the help of a guide: an IT expert to help me with my computer; a nurse to help me understand a diagnosis; a biking guide to help me set the pace on unfamiliar roads. Some of these guides
Scripture Reading — Romans 8:38-39Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons . . . nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.— Romans 8:38-39Dana, 20, from Wisconsin, ended up on Chicago’s South Side after she stopped
