“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
—Psalm 23:1
Psalm 23 has been called the greatest poem penned in any language. And in reality it is a poem and it is a song. It is a song of the people, and it sounds the chords of human experience.
It has been quoted in nurseries and on battle fields. It is stated and sung in funerals and at weddings. We have seen it quoted and heard it at deathbeds and sickbeds as well as birthday parties and celebrations of life. It is a psalm for all seasons because we have a Shepherd who is the Shepherd for all seasons.
The Shepherd feeds us and leads us. And that’s, of course, what this psalm is about, His peace, His provision, His protection. And therefore, this passage has become one of the most reassuring reads in the entire Bible.
I will not lack for anything because, “My cup runs over!” I will not lack for an abundant and eternal home because it’s heaven, too! “I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
Everything we need! He meets our needs, all of them, physically, emotionally, spiritually, relationally, materially!
OUR SHEPHERD IS SUFFICIENT TO MEET EVERY NEED WE HAVE!
Friday, March 01, 2019
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.”
James 2:14–17
For hundreds of years, people in countries across Europe followed the custom of throwing a coin into a well of water and making a wish. In ancient times, wells were extremely valuable. A deep well provided a source of water that would not be impacted by a temporary drought in the region. This was vital to people, livestock, and crops alike. Often in pagan superstition, people would associate the well with a local deity or idol and credit that as the source of the water. Throwing a coin into the well was seen as an offering to help ensure the wish that was made would come true.
Of course, we know that there are no spirits living in wells and that throwing in coins has nothing to do with whether a wish comes true or not. In fact, in almost every case the outcome of our “wishes” is determined not by the wish itself, but by the effort and work we put into making it a reality. The same thing is true when it comes to our interactions with others. Wishing for someone in urgent need to get warm clothing or food doesn’t do anything to improve their situation. While it is nice that we wish them well, it is far better if we take action to help meet the need that we see. There is no real lasting value and improvement in a situation of need unless there is concrete action.
Today's Growth Principle:
Do not settle for just good feelings and words to others—back them up with good deeds.
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