Friday, August 12 – Psalm 23:1-3

The Lord is my shepherd, I will not be in need. He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For the sake of His name.

How many ads have you heard or seen today? How many do you think you see on a given day? In our information age, there are probably more than you can count! We are constantly told the next big thing we need from advertisements, our jobs, and our conversations. This makes these words from David more powerful and relevant for our lives today.

“The Lord is my shepherd, I will not be in need.” Does that feel true to your life today? What is the thing that keeps lingering in your mind as the next thing to get or achieve? After David made this statement, he shared the specifics of how God provided for his needs. Through God, He could rest, be restored, and be guided in righteousness. At every step, David recognized God’s provision in his life. Can the same be said for us? What are the needs that feel like they are too big or small for God to handle? When a parent cares for a new child, they seek to meet the child’s needs to the best of their ability. On a much greater scale, God recognizes our every need and cares for them as we turn to Him. Along the way, we will face moments of feeling uncomfortable as God pushes us out of our comfort zones to renew us. We can be confident that as we turn to Him with every burden, heartache, and longing, He will be our good shepherd who leads us through.

• Is it easier for you to identify your needs or God’s provision in your life?
• Where in your life are you waiting on God’s provision?
• Pray and ask God to help you find true contentment and rest in Him today.