Psalm 23:1-3 - 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.

This familiar psalm paints a portrait of our life in Christ Jesus, a picture of our security as one of His followers and the confidence that we have as His holy people. As followers of Jesus, we "shall not want." God gave us His Son and He will provide for our needs. As the apostle Paul says, "He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things?" (Romans 8:32).

Jesus gives us rest in the green pastures of His constant presence in our lives. He feeds us with His Word and our faith is nourished through the sacrament of His Holy Supper. It is food that satisfies far more than earthly tastes. His body and blood, given and shed for the forgiveness of our sins, is food for eternity. Jesus leads us to the still waters, the living water of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit does not remain still and quiet within us, but becomes "a spring of water welling up to eternal life" (John 4:14b). It is living water that bubbles up and overflows in a life of love and service and witness.

Baptized, we have been brought into the sheepfold of the Shepherd, His body the church. We are created anew, our souls restored to fellowship with our God and Creator. With sins forgiven, we follow in Jesus' steps. We seek to walk in love as He walked, and to treat others with the care and compassion that our Shepherd shows to us. He leads us in those righteous paths "for His Name's sake." As we follow Jesus, we are bringing glory and honor to our Savior and Shepherd. That glory is not ours, but His alone. As the psalmist rejoices, "Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to Your Name give glory, for the sake of Your steadfast love and Your faithfulness (Psalm 115:1). We seek by our words and actions to honor our Shepherd's Name.

We are well fed with the Word and our thirst is satisfied with the living water of the Holy Spirit. We are rested and restored, fed and fueled for service. Our Shepherd keeps us busy in His service as He leads us on His righteous paths. Our Shepherd is the Good Shepherd, because He laid down His life to save His sheep. For us He took up His life again, and we can be sure and certain that our crucified and risen Good Shepherd will provide for all of our needs. We shall not want!

WE PRAY: My Shepherd, lead me on the righteous paths of love and service in Your Name. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler.

Reflection Questions:

1. Name some ways that Jesus shepherds us through life's tough spots.

2. Have you experienced the Spirit of God within you, bringing you the joy of eternal life?

3. How can we be like a shepherd to others?

Today's Bible Readings: Judges 4-6    Luke 13:1-22

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