The lord is my shepherd…I shall not want...
Have you ever felt like you are walking through life with a blindfold on? Do you wonder if the steps you are taking are the right ones?
It can be hard to trust what God’s plan is for you when you can’t see what lays ahead of you. The 23rd Psalm tells us that God is our Shepherd and that He leads and guides us.
But what does it look like to let God be your shepherd?
Psalm 23The 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.
How do we daily let God lead us into still waters and green pastures as Psalm 23 so beautifully states?
Proverbs 3:5-6Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will make your paths straight.
It’s not easy, but once you fully surrender all that you are to the Lord, you will experience the peace that passes all understanding.
1. Allow God To Be Your Shepherd By Not Worrying
I’m a worrier by nature. I know it’s not good, but it’s where I find myself if I am not careful.
It’s human nature to want to have a plan for your situation.
Sometimes, God allows our “blindfolds” to be on so that we have the opportunity to trust Him as our Shepherd. You may not see the path ahead of you, but the Shepherd does.
Matthew 6:34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
In Matthew, Jesus tells us not to worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow has enough troubles of its own. When you truly live your life focused on one day at a time, you receive so much freedom.
2. Follow God One Step At A Time
My Dad took my siblings and me on many backpacking trips on the Appalachian Trail as we grew up. His father had taken him when he was a boy, and it was only fitting that he did the same with us.
I was 10 years old– carrying a full Kelty backpack. Inside held my sleeping bag, water for two days, a change of clothes, freeze-dried ice cream, Vienna sausages, and a roll of toilet paper.
On one particular trip, after hiking miles down the trail, I began to get weary. I desperately wanted a break. So my Dad let us lean up against a rock to catch our breath.
We had a moment to take a sip or two out of our canteen.
I started to whine and tell my Dad I couldn’t do it anymore. It was too hard.
My feet hurt, my back hurt, and for goodness sake what were we doing out here in the middle of the forest anyway!?
At that moment, my dad gave some encouragement to me.
“Don’t think about how much further you have to go. Just put one foot in front of the other. Take one step. And then one more. And then one more.”
And that is exactly what I did. One step. Deep breath. Another step. And another.
I chose not to think about how much further I had to go.
I simply trusted my father.
I pray you will take each day one step at a time.
And when you need rest lean on the Rock.
3. Ask God What Your Next Step Is
One way to follow the Shepherd is to ask him where he is leading you. Maybe he will tell you, maybe he won’t.
“Holy Spirit, will you show me what my next step is for today?”
Ask Him this, and spend a few moments listening. What do you hear in your spirit? Is it to apply for that job? Is it to spend 10 minutes reading the Bible?
Is it to call and apologize to someone?
What is your next step for today?
How can you follow behind the Good Shepherd in this day and this hour?
Don’t worry about how you will cross through the dark valley or reach the top of the mountain. Put one foot in front of the other.
One prayer.
One day.
One chorus through a worship song.
He is leading. Will you follow?
The Lord Is Your Shepherd!
Follow your shepherd today.
Trust his goodness.
Trust his promises.
The Lord is your Shepherd, trust him as he leads you into green pastures and beside still waters.
