I was asked to write the October devo for our monthly bulletin. I really struggled with what to write but decided to write on some things that I'm going through and thanks to a little inspiration from my dad the followin was written:
Being here in N. Ireland and seeing all of the beautiful green hills as far as the eye can see, and seeing those fluffy white sheep as if God scattered a bag of cotton balls across the ground, it reminds me of a couple verses in Psalms; “The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside the still waters; He restores my soul.” Psalms 23:1-3a
“The Lord is my Shepherd.” He is our Guide, our Protector, and our Provider! It is so good to have that assurance that He who holds the world in the palm of His hand is taking care of our every need! John 10:11 says; “I am the Good Shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” He is the one that protects us from the “evil one” who prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Our good shepherd has come that we might have life and have it more abundantly!
“I shall not want.” He provides all of our needs! So often I find myself worrying about the smallest things – in moments when I am faced with financial struggles how quickly I forget that MY GOD owns “the cattle on a thousand hills.” Psalms 50:10 OUR GOD knows what we need and promises to take care of us! He looks after the birds in the air and the flowers in the fields – how much more will He look after us His children? “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, Oh you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.” Matthew 6:25-32 And above all else we must remember that “nothing is impossible with God!” Luke 1:37
“He makes me to lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside the still waters; He restores my soul.” This is the part that really hits home with me in the season I am in. I rarely press the pause button on this crazy thing we call life. I find myself going until I drop. God is the one who leads us to that place of rest where we can lie down and stretch out in the grassy meadow near the peaceful waters and get away for a quiet moment with Him, our good shepherd. The word “Restores” here comes from the Greek word shuwb meaning to be brought back – as if to bring back to life; be revived. He is the reviver of our souls! The soul is the activity of the mind, the will, and the character of a person.
So take a moment to pause and reflect on the faithfulness of our good shepherd. The one who directs us in the way we should go, who protects us from the enemy, who provides our every need, and who promises to restore us to our fullest. And to the one who has gone astray; remember that your Good Shepherd will not rest until you, his lost lamb, is safe again in the Masters arms.
Well I miss you all so much! I am grateful for all of your prayers and encouragement!
xoxo
-J
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