Day 6: I lack nothing
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows (Psalm 23:5).
You O Lord, are our God, our Father, and our Shepherd. All through Scripture, You give us a beautiful picture of Your care over us as a shepherd over his sheep, with the ultimate picture of love and sacrifice given by our Lord Jesus: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep” (John 10:11).
In laying down Your life, Lord, You took on Yourself our sin, and gave us access to the benefits described by David in Psalm 37: The blameless spend their days under the Lord’s care, and their inheritance will endure forever. In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty (vs.18-19).
But it is in Psalm 23 that David, with his own experience as a shepherd, details for us the boundless providence of a God who provides, leads, guides, protects, comforts, and defends. And we are reminded of Your amazing, infinite, love and Your constant, compassionate care.
Yet, so often we fear and doubt. Free our hearts from the sin of those who doubted You, and spoke against God. Even though they had continually witnessed Your marvelous providence, they said, “Can God really spread a table in the wilderness? True, He struck the rock, and water gushed out, streams flowed abundantly, but can He also give us bread? Can He supply meat for His people?” (Psalm 78:19-20).
Keep us from the willful rebellion of unbelief. Teach us the unshakable trust of those who know You: Those who know Your name trust in You, for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You (Psalm 9:10).
Lord Jesus, You described for us the intimacy and trust between a shepherd and his sheep:
I know My sheep and My sheep know Me— just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father” (John 10:14-15). Let our heart's cry be like that of the apostle Paul, "I want to know Christ..." (Philippians 3:10).
Teach us to know the never-failing care of our Shepherd — In the turmoil You lead us to quiet. In the desert, You refresh our souls. In the labyrinth, You mark out our path. In the dark valley You comfort and protect us. And in the wilderness, You spread a table as our enemies look on. Thank You, Lord, for the surety of Your goodness and love in this life and beyond.
The Lord is my Shepherd. I lack nothing. My cup overflows.
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