All That I Need

Happy Friday to you all! I hope that you all will enjoy this day and the weekend to come! This is Michele with you this morning and I am focusing on Psalm 23. I have heard this psalm used at times of death but today I am drawn to the promise of God's provision as we live our lives. This text is short and can be read several times in a short amount of time.

The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. (v. 1)

This is the verse that my heart is centered on today.

The Lord is my shepherd....a shepherd is one who provides for his sheep, guides them, and protects them from any and all danger. Sheep need a shepherd to lead them away from the wolves in this life! What happens if the sheep don't follow or obey the shepherd? Disaster!!

Many people live their lives without following Christ or giving him any thought at all. People who choose to live this way are very lost and floundering in this life looking for direction and meaning. This is why the crime rate is so high, drug use is rampant, and people invest in highly unhealthy relationships. There is no fulfillment in life without Christ, our good shepherd. The sheep know their shepherd and follow him faithfully because they are very aware of what will happen if they don't. If we don't stand for something, we will fall for anything!

I have all that I need....When you really stop to think about it we do have all that we need to live this life. I know it seems like we are always in need of something....or so we think. Just like a teenager who thinks he/she "needs" a cell phone or new shoes or more freedom, we all grumble for things we think we need. How about a new car, new house, new job because we don't get along w/ a coworker or our boss, an exotic vacation to "get away" from day to day life, or any number of things depending on our circumstances. Do we really need any of these things?

We need to be obedient followers. Jesus sacrificed his life for us! Not because he had to or because he had fun in the process. He sacrificed his life for us so that we can be forgiven for all of our sins and have new life in him. A life with purpose, meaning and joy. We are not alone, we are being guided by the creator of all things! The one who set the sun and moon in their places is invested in our lives! God knows what is best for us even more than we parents know what is best for our children. God promises to provide for all of our needs....not all of our wants.

Lord, help me to live my life following you and trusting that you will provide all that I need. So many times I've tried to go my own way only to find that I really do need you to be my guide and protector. I am lost and clueless without you, Lord. I need your direction in my life. Thank you for the many blessings that you provide. Amen.

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