Psalm 23:1: The LORD Is My Shepherd. Psalm 23:1 (KJV) The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. COMMENTARY PEARL Whether it's hours in the day or money in the bank, sometimes you feel like you will never have enough, that you can never get caught up, let alone get ahead. Especially when we look online or check social media and see what others have, we often feel like we're missing out. We see other people eating incredible meals, taking amazing vacations, and having fun with family and friends. They look beautiful and wear amazing clothes, live in houses straight out of HGTV, and drive new cars. And then we wonder why we feel so disappointed with our own lives. Here's what you need to remember. When your contentment is based on comparing yourself with everyone else - especially on social media - then you will never be satisfied. Even when you know everyone else is simply posing and photoshopping their lives, as long as you compare, you'll come up short. However, when your desires for your life align with God's, you'll never feel envious or jealous. Instead, you'll feel just the opposite - content, joyful, fulfilled. Our primary need each day is to know him, grow closer to him, and know his peace. When we focus on this truth and follow our Good Shepherd, we become content in a way that Instagram can never convey. Dear Jesus, you alone are the Lord of my life and my power source. Remind me that I have more than enough of what my heart truly desires through my relationship with you. [Daily Power by Craig Groeschel] COMMENTARY We humans want to do things our way. Forget the easy way. Forget the common way. Forget the best way. Forget Gods way. We want to do things our way! And according to Isaiah 53:6 that is exactly our problem. We all have wandered away like sheep; each of us has gone his own way. You wouldnt think sheep would be obstinate. Of all Gods animals, the sheep is the least able to take care of himself. David said, The Lord is my shepherd. We wondercouldnt David have thought of a better metaphor? Sheep are dumb. Why didnt he choose something other than sheep? How about, The Lord is my King and I am his ambassador? Everyone stops when the ambassador speaks. But who notices when Gods sheep show up? Only one person notices. The shepherd. And that is precisely Davids point! [Max Lucado Daily Devotional at maxlucado.com] Herding sheep in David's time was hard work. There was nothing romantic about the night shift; shepherds did not relax on balmy evenings under the twinkling stars. They braved numbingly cold nights and worked hard to protect their sheep from predators. Night and day, they were never passive toward their flock. Shepherds had to lead, tend, feed, protect, and nurture the animals in their care. They provided everything necessary for their sheep's safety and well-being. To appreciate the size of this challenge, remember that sheep are fearful, defenseless animals. Moreover, they aren't the brightest of God's creatures. They'll drink from anybody of water - dirty or clean - that they stumble upon. They will not lie down unless they feel entirely secure. They are prone to ear infections that require special attention. Yes, sheep need a lot of care. We are like sheep, the Bible tells us. On our own, we are defenseless against the power of sin and death. Without guidance, we will drink from any source of information and entertainment. We look everywhere for security, and we're vulnerable to diseases of our spirit, our emotions, and our mind. We, too, need a lot of care. Thank God for appointing Jesus to be your Good Shepherd. Rest in Him today. [Being Still With God Every Day by Henry Blackaby] Living like a sheep can bring you incredible peace of mind! The biblical shepherd knew everything about his sheep. He understood what foods were best for them and what would harm them. He knew when they should eat and when they needed their thirst quenched. The shepherd was an expert of the terrain and was aware of the best places for food and water. As long as the sheep trusted and followed their shepherd, they would always have their needs met at the right time. Their shepherd would give them the best that he had. Do you have absolute trust in your Good Shepherd? Do you value the nourishment that comes from Him more than any you might obtain from the world? Do you ever worry that God might be withholding from you something that you need? The Psalmist was convinced that he would want for nothing. By His very nature, the Good Shepherd cares for His sheep and would lay down His life for them (John 10:11). Have you allowed your focus to shift from the Shepherd to what the Shepherd gives you? If you find yourself wanting, it is not that your Shepherd is unable or unwilling to perfectly meet your needs. It may be that you lack the faith to receive all that He has to give. Could it be that you have become dissatisfied with what your Shepherd has been providing? Are you missing the joy that comes from having a Shepherd who cares for you? Return to Him and trust Him to meet the needs in your life that only He can. [Experiencing God Day by Day by Henry and Richard Blackaby re Psa. 23:1, 2] "Yes, I am your Shepherd - your good Shepherd. But don't assume you will never feel need in this world. You've seen many who love Me and submit to My shepherding go through seasons of lack. That isn't a contradiction to My promise. I allow you to have needs and expect them to drive you to Me as your Provider. "Understand that there's a difference between having provision and knowing a Provider. You've heard the saying that it's good to give someone a fish but better to teach him how to fish. It's good when I give you something you need, but it's better when I teach you to walk with Me. My material gifts are used and then gone, but My heart as your Provider never fades. When the Provider is your constant companion, you never worry about whether you will have what you need. "That's what David meant when he said he would not want for anything - not that he would never experience lack, but that he would never experience lack without confidence that I would be available to him. You can have that same confidence. Yes, you will have needs, but you will never be in a place of unaddressed need, wondering if I am going to come through for you. My Presence with you means that you can be at peace about your future. I see all the days in front of you, and you won't be forsaken in any of them. Your worst-case scenarios aren't in My plans. I take care of My sheep, and you are one of them." Lord, although I do have everything I need to survive right now, I don't have everything I need to thrive or to fulfill Your calling. But I know all of those things are in You, and I have You. Please show me how to discover and experience Your provision at each step in the journey. [The One Year Experiencing Gods Presence Devotional by Chris Tiegreen] PRACTICAL COMMENTARY I am a shield for all who take refuge in Me. So come close to Me and hover under the umbrella of My shielding Presence. You sometimes feel unprotected and exposed to dangers. This happens when you crawl out from under My protective Presence and try to face the world on your own. You do this unconsciously, whenever you forget the essential truth that I am with you. The fear you feel at such times can alert you to what has happened, and the remedy is simple: Take refuge in Me. Shielding you from dangers is part of My job description because I am your Shepherd. I am vigilant, and I know exactly what is on the path ahead of you. I anticipate perilous situations and prepare you for them. A masterful shepherd can often take care of trouble so skillfully that his sheep remain blissfully unaware of it. So it is wise to choose carefully the one whom you will follow - your "shepherd." I am the only absolutely Good Shepherd. Follow Me and My ways; let Me protect you from danger and from fear. (2Sa. 22:31; Psa. 23:1-4; John 10:11, 14, 15) [Jesus Today by Sarah Young] LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY http://www.abible.com/devotions/2003/20030204-1157.html LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT Most Important Decision in Life: http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0 A Man without Equal by Bill Bright: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo [old, but one of the best] Importance of Choice: http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video] Seeking God Made Real: http://vimeo.com/31489782 Prayer Made Real: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE Musical Devotional On Christian Living: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcotY5K7T0c Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David DeRose, MD, MPH: https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: http://www.liftingupjesus.net/ Amazing Facts Bible Studies: http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx Discover Bible Studies: http://studies.itiswritten.com/discover/ Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: http://www.bibleresearch.info/ ABible.com: http://www.aBible.com LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS The Last Day of Prophecy by Pastor Doug Batchelor: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmGvdtMCf1aJTiC59-lPtuUMEq_uEn0BK Restoring The Power by John Bradshaw: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRogO1SxoZN15Boa7BMon4BouVMdteVaq Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657 Last Day Prophecy: His Other Sheep by Pastor Gerald Babanezhad: https://vimeo.com/162267518