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February 5
A SOURCE OF STRENGTH FOR CHRISTIANS

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-6 “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 prepares 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.”

     In verse one, we see David’s profession of faith.  We are His sheep. (Isaiah 53:6).  Sheep are pretty much helpless to take care of themselves.  They move about on the basis of their appetites.  To be able to sustain itself the sheep must rely on the goodness and skill of the shepherd.  
    God is our all-sufficient Shepherd (Deut. 2:7), therefore I lack nothing. “I shall not want” indicates that God took care of all of his needs.
    In verse two, we see that the primary need of the sheep is food.  The shepherd goes before his sheep to guide them. After they are fed they are made to lie down and rest.  Then they are watered.  God is sufficient in taking care of all of our daily needs.  (Matthew
6:32, 33)
    In verse three we are told that he restoreth our soul.  The good Shepherd knows how to revive his weary sheep. During the day each sheep leaves its place in the line and comes directly to the shepherd. The shepherd then scratches the sheep’s nose, its head, and whispers in its ear. It is our communion with the Lord that restores our weary soul.
    In verse four we see the protective care of the shepherd.  Although we are not spared the journey through the valley, God’s presence is sufficient.  
    In verse five, we see the providing of the shepherd.  God provides for His own in the midst of a wicked world.  The shepherd’s task in Palestine was to prepare the pasture ahead of the flock.  In the midst of the enemies, he prepares what we need.    
    Then in verse six we are told that goodness and mercy will follow us!  How long?  He says that it will be all the days of our lives. Oh what provisions are made for the child of God!