My Shepherd: It's Personal
Friday, May 24, 2019
Living Free Every Day®
A ministry of LivingFree.org
Today's Scripture
"The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need." Psalm 23:1 NIV
Thoughts for Today
Studying the facets of God's character helps us see how he meets human need at the right time and in the right way. He cares for us personally. He is Jehovah-rohi: The Lord is my Shepherd. God is our heavenly Father who tends to, watches over, feeds, keeps company with, and is a friend.
Many children do not have the benefit of an earthly father who shepherds them with care, security, consistency, gentleness, or as a friend. Some children grow into adulthood with this vacuum. The best of earthly fathers cannot provide the gentleness, consistency, or personal friendship our heavenly Father brings.
Consider this. . .
David wrote Psalm 23. Having a close relationship with his heavenly Father, David sought the heart of God. Psalm 23 describes this picture of God as his shepherd. He related to his heavenly Father in a personal way. "The Lord is my shepherd." My shepherd. David didn't see God as a shepherd or the shepherd. He saw his heavenly father as his personal Shepherd who would provide his needs.
How to you view God? Is he personal to you? Do you trust him to provide your needs?
He loves you personally. He loves you so much, he sent his only Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for your sins so you can be forgiven and have a personal relationship with him forever. He cares about everything that concerns you. He wants to meet your every need. Will you let him?
Prayer
Father, thank you for loving me. I thank you that Jesus died on the cross for me, personally. Please forgive my sins and help me follow you. Help me stop looking at my problems and focus on you, my Shepherd. Help me trust you to meet my needs at the right time in the right way.
In Jesus' name . . .
These thoughts were drawn from. . .Knowing God My Father: Applying the Names of God to My Personal Life by Jimmy Ray Lee, D.Min. This curriculum is designed to help people strengthen their relationship with their heavenly Father by applying His names to their personal life. Along with helping Christians know God better, it can serve as an evangelistic tool by giving a true picture of God to people who may have a distorted view of Him because of an absent or abusive earthly father who did not or does not provide for them. This group can also help men who want to be better fathers. Note: This curriculum was written especially for small groups, and we encourage people to use it that way. However, it can also be used effectively as a personal study for individuals or couples.
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©Living Free 2018. Living Free is a registered trademark. Living Free Every Day® devotionals may be reproduced for personal use. When reproduced to share with others, please acknowledge the source as Living Free, Chattanooga, TN, www.LivingFree.org. Must have written permission to use in any format to be sold. Permission may be requested by sending an e-mail to [email protected]
