“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.” Psalm 23:1-6
No matter how many times we read this Psalm, it is always refreshing to our hearts. What a wonderful thing it is to know that the Lord provides an oasis of rest in the desert of life, a time of refreshing and renewal. When we seem to be overwhelmed with the busyness of life, we can take a few minutes to shut ourselves away, to whisper the name of Jesus, and feel His presence fill the room where we are. He lifts the burdens and brings peace.
When Jesus was here on earth, He saw times when His disciples were becoming weary with the tasks, and He invited them to “Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest awhile.” Mark 6:31. They needed a time of refreshing and renewal in order to minister to the people.
How important it is that we set apart a time and a place each day to commune with Him, to read His Word and pray for our family and friends. As we lift our hearts in worship to Him, we experience the still waters and the green pastures He has promised. Our souls are restored, we have a new anointing, and we start our day with strength and purpose. All through the day, His presence lingers with us, guiding everything we do, and we can say with David that His goodness and mercy are following us every step of the way.
Prayer: Thank you, Heavenly Father for your hand upon us, leading us and guiding us every step of the way, and for all the blessings you bestow upon us.
Devotion by Anne Johnston
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