“ The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” (Psalm 23:1-3)
These words of comfort reach across ages. The promise is true today. Humble yourself under the Lord’s rod and His staff and trust and hear no other voice. You know his voice, for you are his, chosen out of the world, beautiful and precious in his eyes. If you are tired, wrung out, stressed out, discouraged, and/or afraid, allow him to lay you down in green pastures and beside still waters in His Spirit today. Take time out of your busy schedule to throw yourself into the Shepherd’s arms, awaiting his promise of restoration. Whatever time it takes to work through it will be time well invested.
However, before he can restore us, we must first both stop listening and believing the lies of fear and doubt and hate and any other wicked voice that may be oppressing us today. Let him reveal your heart to you today and pour it out before him. Let us not forget, it is for His name’s sake that He leads us. He loves us unconditionally, no matter our failures or mistakes, especially in regard to earthly things.
Lord, forgive us for the lies we have believed. Let us no longer give the enemy a foothold. Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts. Help us to identify fears as for what they are and eradicate any negative, self-defeating ways of thinking today. We ask you to restore our souls today, Father, and we thank you, that even if our human fathers actually were evil enough to give us snakes and stones when we asked for fish and bread, you are not that way. You give good gifts to us, your children, when we ask you. We confess it today and we ask you inscribe the truth of your loving-kindness on our hearts today. We are asking you today, in faith, Father, grant us our need and our rest according to your will, as we present before you now:
In Jesus’ name we pray, Lord, amen.
