I AM: Discovering the Nature of Jesus!

Monday, March 15, 2004

My Prayer Today

Heavenly Father, we know that Jesus told us that He is the Good Shepherd. We know that You are also our Shepherd. You love us and protect us, and the words of Psalm 23 show us that You and Jesus are, indeed, one! I pray that I may leave in the power of Your Holy Spirit that wherever You call I will follow; that whatever You command I will do; that whatever You teach, I will learn; that whatever You say, I will listen. I pray for faithfulness this day, that as one of Your “sheep” I may live in obedience whatever the challenge or situation before me. I pray, too, for the “lost sheep” in my family, in our community and in our world. I know that Your desire is for everyone to follow You and to be in Your “fold” Use me today and everyday, as an example that others will want to follow back to Your fold. All this I pray in the strong name of Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, and for the sake of His coming Kingdom. Amen.

God's Word Today

Psalm 23

1    The LORD is my shepherd; I have everything I need.
2    He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.
3    He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.
4    Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.
5    You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You welcome me as a guest, anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.
6    Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever.

Reflecting on God's Word

What difference does it make in your life that the Lord is your “shepherd?”

What image for God do you think that Jesus would use if he were speaking in our day?

A Deeper Exploration of God's Word

What promises for our lives does King David tell us are true because the Lord is our shepherd? (23:1-4)

What does King David tell us will happen when we face enemies, because God is with us? (23:5)

For what length of time will God “pursue” us? (23:6)

Understanding God's Purpose

What purpose does today’s Scripture tell us that God has for our lives?

What would be the difference in our lives if God was not our “shepherd”?

Applying God's Word to Our Lives

What do you need to do today as a result of reading Psalm 23?

Thoughts...The Lord is My Shepherd!

The 23rd Psalm is perhaps the most well-known passage of Scripture in the Bible. It is nearly universally read at funeral services? Why? The image is so comforting! Just as Jesus tells us that He is our Good Shepherd, King David reminds us that God is our shepherd. The shepherd watches over and cares for the sheep. He provides food and water for the sheep. He protects the sheep in times of trouble, always assuring that no harm comes to them. In yesterday’s Scripture and today’s, we see clearly that if we will only stay in the shepherd’s care, we need not fear anything in life? Then why is it that we ever stray from God? It isn’t for nothing that Jesus used the image of sheep to describe us—sheep aren’t the sharpest tools in the shed! Sheep wander off from the shepherd without even thinking. Indeed, most of the harm that comes to sheep comes from a lack of vision and foresight. As we go about this day, we don’t need to be brilliant, but we do need to rely on the one who is—Jesus, the Lord, our Good Shepherd! As we do, we will find that every situation and circumstance yields, not to us, but to Him. May it be so in our lives today!

Back to the I AM Bible studies