*My Shepherd*
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. (Psalm 23:1-3)
Father,
You are my blessed shepherd. I am the weak, easily distracted, easily frightened sheep, you are the strong, faithful shepherd. Just as a shepherd protects his sheep, so you protect me. Just as a shepherd provides for his sheep, so you always provide for me. Just as a shepherd leads his sheep on good paths, so you always lead me. Just as a shepherd lifts his sheep when they fall, so you always rescue me when I fall. Because you, the living, almighty, always-‐providing, always-‐leading, always-‐protecting God are my shepherd, I shall not want. If you are my shepherd, I know I have all I need for this life and the next.
I trust you to bring me to green pastures. Green pastures of peace, love, joy, and contentment. I trust you to bring me to these places even when my life seems to be spinning out of control. You will lead me to green pastures of supernatural strength in the midst of trials. You will feed me from the green pastures of your scriptures. You will refresh my soul in the green pastures of your presence. When I rely on myself, I end up in desert wastelands. When I rely on you, I end up in green pastures.
I trust you to lead me to still waters. When my soul is in turmoil, you will lead me beside still waters. When my heart is weary, you will refresh me with still waters. When my body is broken, you will sustain me with your still waters. When my soul is thirsty, you will satisfy me with still waters. I cannot restore my soul, but you can. I cannot reenergize my spiritual life, but you can. I cannot create spiritual life in myself, but you can. You are the lifter of my head, the restorer of my soul. You are my good and gentle shepherd.
I trust you to lead me in paths of righteousness. You will not let me stray to left or right, but, by the power of your Holy Spirit, will lead me in paths of righteousness. You will convict me of sin, then give me the power to overcome my sin. You have not left me on my own in the battle against sin. I don’t trust in my own wisdom, but in you, my great Shepherd. Have a great weekend.