The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to 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)

 

In these verses, more is implied than expressed:  Not only in, "I shall not want," but also in, "I shall be supplied with whatever I need, and if I have not everything I desire, I may conclude it is either not fit for me or not good for me, or I shall have it in due time."

 

We have the comforts of this life from God's good hand.  We have our daily spiritual bread and water from Him as our Father. To a Godly person, who tastes the goodness of God in all our enjoyments, though one has but little of the world, it is a green pasture. God makes His saints to lie down; He gives us quiet and contentment in our minds, whatever our lot is.  Our souls dwell at ease in Him and that makes every pasture green. One is well guided and well led. Those that feed on God's goodness must follow His direction. He directs our eyes, our way, and our hearts into truth and His love. God provides for His people not only spiritual food and rest, but refreshment and pleasure. God leads His people to a better life as outlined in the Holy Scripture and by our faith and example of Jesus and the Apostles.

Though God may grieve when one falls into sin, He instructs us by His word and directs us by conscience and can restore our soul through the power of Jesus and the Holy Spirit to a more disciplined life style as a better Christian witness.

 

Question to Ponder: If your life were to end today, where would you spend eternity?

 

 

Prayer: Father, as we examine our life, help us to be more disciplined toward holy living.  Forgive us for our mistakes. Please give us strength and guidance to live a better life and be better examples to others as Christians. For those that have not received Jesus as Savior and Lord of their life, may the Holy Spirit give them understanding for a new life in Christ now and Heaven for their eternal future.

Amen.