Wednesday 9 Nov 2022

November 9: Psalm 23:1-6

Key Verse: Psalm 23:1
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

Devotion:
This is probably the best known psalm from the bible and one which is used often to encourage people with support from God. It is one which I have seen many war movies with these words written on helmets or walls. It is one which is now written and displayed in many pictures on the Internet.

The words from the first verse say it all. The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing… Because Christ is our shepherd and high priest, there should be nothing we lack in our lives – yet we choose to see many places where we think we lack things. If we stop and have a proper look at the things we think we lack, we will see those things are normally things of this world and not spiritual or heavenly things!

Even though these words are talking about the spiritual and heavenly things we have in abundance, it is also reminding us Christ will support us in earthly ways as well. When it talks of green pastures, quiet waters and refreshing our souls, these are all things we relate to in earthly terms but which span both earthly and heavenly realms. When we know Christ is on our side we are sustained both spiritually and physically – this is why these words are used in dire times to give us strength and courage.

Even though we may face all manner of terrible things, we can always look forward to the eternal and amazing rewards awaiting us with Jesus. Nothing on this earth is bigger than the eternal rewards we are going to get. Nothing here on earth should phase us; but things do and we need reminding of the awesome power and might of God. These words in this Psalm do just that – remind us nothing is impossible with God!

Points to Ponder:
How many things get you down in life?

Will you try to compare those with what awaits you in heaven?