Golden Nugget: “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.”
Daily Verse: “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” —Psalm 23:1, NKJV
Daily Message:
If you live long enough, sooner or later you will work for a terrible boss. I don’t know what your pet peeves are, but these two bother me the most: a boss who thinks he or she is too important to be bothered with the likes of me, or one who deems me so incompetent that my every move must be monitored and measured.
Today's verse was written during a time when most people in the world imagined gods as distant and detached or frantically orchestrating the events of life. They were described as moody, arrogant, and conniving—always looking out for themselves. But here, the writer gives us a different picture of God—the one true God. He calls him our shepherd. A shepherd is neither distant nor controlling, neither indifferent nor smothering. Yet he is very present.
God demonstrates care for us by leading, protecting, and providing. He is aware of our needs and hurts and is responsible for our welfare. With a shepherd like that, what more could we want?
Consider This:
- What is your view of God? Do you see him as distant, demanding, uninvolved, or controlling?
- What might change in your life if you pursued a deep understanding of God as a shepherd who cares for you?
Take Action:
Spend a few moments thinking about the things God has provided for you. Allow the awareness of his provision to help you understand that God isn’t a terrible boss with outrageous demands, but a gracious and caring shepherd who provides for his own.