“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 NASB
Is your heart always in everything you do, whatever it is? How many times do you utter the phrase, “My heart’s just not in this.” It could be a work project, which would be understandable, or it could be an enjoyable recreation activity and you still cannot get your whole heart interested and excited. Let’s face it we all have days like that, sometimes for good reasons, but not always.
When it comes to Worshiping God we need to desire that our hearts be in it, 100% in it, but then again we know that is not always the case. King David was particularly conscious of this. He wrote “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, Be acceptable in Your sight.” David wanted his worship, his prayers, and his thoughts to be acceptable to his Lord, his Rock, and his Redeemer. And we should want the same thing for us, but it is much more than an hour church service or a fifteen-minute personal devotion time. I heard someone once say that “Life is Worship.” We should be acknowledging God in everything we do; every aspect of our lives, our work, our play, and our thoughts; we should be Worshiping God! After all we were made for worship!
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” Psalm 23:6 ESV
We have come to the end of our week of devotions on the 23rd Psalm. I trust you all had a chance to memorize this Psalm, if not there’s still time. It will be time well spent. What better way to end this week but with forever blessings? The Lord as our good shepherd has every part of our lives under His watchful care. It is comforting to know that He walks with us throughout every hour of every day.
As David was treated as an honored guest at the Lord’s table in verse five, he did not considered that he was only a guest for the day, but for a lifetime and beyond. David fully expected on-going blessings of goodness and mercy to be part of the rest of his life. He also anticipated a future intimate relationship with his shepherd. David is assured of an eternal home with his shepherd as he realized himself that a good shepherd never abandons his sheep. The Lord will not abandoned him.
The Lord Jesus will not abandon any of us who have truly committed their lives to Him. Jesus said, “I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.” (Jn.10:9 esv) We will have the protection and provisions for this life by our good shepherd and security of eternal life with Him as he provided the way for us by dying for our sins. Jesus also said, “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.” (Jn.10:14-15 esv) Our blessings will continue for they are ‘forever blessings.’
So far this week in our weekday devotions we have gotten acquainted with the Lord as our shepherd, our leader in whom we follow, and our comforter in our struggles in life. Today we look at our Lord shepherd as our provider. As David provided for his sheep, our Lord provides for his sheep, us, and He invites us to come to His table.
David is still under the threat of his enemies. Even through this David wrote that the Lord was his shepherd who was leading him. The Lord’s leading led him to green pastures and quiet still waters to rest his body and refresh his soul. With David’s enemies around him, his shepherd never lost sight of him giving him the respite he needed. The Lord was also David’ s great comforter as he was truly living in the valley of the shadow of death as his enemies pursued him. Now David finds another gem of protection and provision as the Lord prepares a table for him.
David writes, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.” (Ps.23:5 esv) The imagery is of David being able to sit down at a banquet feast without a worry of those who wish to attack him. The shepherd is providing both a meal and protection during the meal. Honored guests at banquets in the ancient Near East were anointed with oil. David was received as an honored guest of the Lord and his head anointed with oil. David’s every need is completely satisfied as his cup overflows with blessings.
The Lord is inviting us to come to the table as His honored guests. He is our ultimate provider and protector. Our shepherd will meet our every need in the midst of our struggles in this life even as our cup overflows.
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4 ESV
Life is not easy. Sometimes it is downright hard and difficult to manage. Have you ever thought why it is this way? So many of us cannot except the fact that bad things happen to good people, and it is true that bad things do happen to ‘good’ people. But how do we define ‘good’? Let’s see how God defines good. It says in Psalm 14, “The LORD looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.” (Ps.14:2-3 esv) It looks like the word ‘good’ does not define any of us.
The reason ‘good’ does not define us is that we all have a sin nature. Like it or not we have inherited this nature from our first parents, Adam and Eve. There is no changing it. The punishment for our sin is death, physical death separation from the body and spiritual death separation from God for all eternity. There is no comfort that can be found in the punishment for our sin.
When David the shepherd, later a warrior, and then king wrote the 23rd Psalm he wrote of the Lord’s (David’s shepherd) comfort all through life. David knew life was hard. He was aware of his sin many times as several of his psalms reflect. When David wrote, ‘even thought I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,’ it was not only his death he was referring to, but of the trials and tribulations that come upon all of us in this life. The rod and staff of his shepherd provided him with protection and safety.
David knew that physical death was the result of his sin as we should also realize. But more importantly is to know the results of our sin concerning the second death if not dealt with in this life. Jesus came to protect us from that second death and bring us to safety in eternal life Him and God the Father. It is not just physical death, or the struggles of this life in which we need a comforter, it is to save us from eternal separation from God and Jesus Christ in eternity. That is why we need a comforter.
“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 23:2-23 ESV
Peaceful countryside scene featuring green fields, a river, and grazing sheep
Is your life flourishing today? Is your life thriving with the joy of success? Are you noticing God’s blessings on you? Are there any blessings on you these days? Yesterday we asked the question, ‘is the Lord your shepherd,’ today we ask, ‘is the Lord leading you and restoring you’? The Lord will not lead you if you are unwilling to allow Him to take the reins over your life. If you are burning out physically and spiritually the chances are that the Lord is not leading you as you going your own way.
David, as a shepherd, did not always have it easy. It wasn’t all laying on the grass during the day and sitting around the fire at night. Shepherding was demanding work and dangerous at times. The reference David makes to ‘green pastures’ is about all that makes life flourish. God is leading David’s life as David follows His lead. ‘Still waters’ or ‘quiet waters’ are literally waters of resting places. Waters that provide refreshment of well-being. When the Lord is our shepherd He provides what we need for physical burnout.
Burnout also affects us spiritually. We can feel the effects of it deep down into our soul. David says that his shepherd restores his soul. If the Lord is not leading you, you will miss out on this because the only one who can restore your spirit and soul is the Lord God. But if you let Him lead you He will also lead you in the paths of righteousness meaning safety and prosperity along with living in God’s will bringing glory to His name. If your life is not flourishing it’s time to allow the Shepherd to lead you and restore your soul.
This week’s daily devotions on ‘Word for the Soul’ will feature the 23rd Psalm. This is the most recognized Psalm of all 150 psalms in the psalter. Most people can recite it in its entirety, or least some portions of it. So, an assignment for this week, if you have not memorized it yet, now is your chance. (There are only six verses)
David, the author, begins with these famous words, “The LORD is my Shepherd; I shall not want.” (Ps.23:1 esv) David being a shepherd as a boy and young man knew the job of shepherding and the responsibilities it entailed. Number 1 on the list was the protection of the sheep under his care. David spent many long hot days and cold nights watching over the sheep. We do not know how David got paid or if he ever received compensation for his work, but he did his work flawlessly and at the risk of his own life.
The Lord Jesus not only risked His life for His sheep but gave up it up on the cross at Calvary. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (Jn.10:11 esv) David was able to see the relationship between his protecting and providing for his sheep and God doing the same for him, but in a much larger capacity. The Lord God providing for David all his life prompted him to write, ‘I shall not want.’ He was never lacking anything he needed. David’s shepherd provided for him.
David could call the Lord God his shepherd because he knew Him, followed Him, and obeyed Him. As you read the 23rd Psalm and attempt to memorize it this week can you say, ‘the Lord (Jesus) is my shepherd’? Do you know Him? Have you accepted Him as your savoir? Is the Lord your shepherd?
“For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God.” 1 Peter 1:23 NLT
We have all heard ‘nothing lasts forever’ and ‘all good things must come to an end.’ The problem with those sayings is our agreement with them. Sure, a dream vacation ends too quickly, your favorite team missed the playoffs (again), your favorite childhood amusement park was torn down, old friendships fade away, and they are many other examples I could think of and you can as well. All good things do not always come to end, but then again they do not last forever either. But there are two things that are guaranteed to last forever, your new life in Christ and the Word of God.
Peter, the apostle, was addressing the early Christians of the first century in his letter of 1 Peter. They were living in days very much like ours. Their society was hostile towards Christianity but accepting of other pagan religions. There was persecution among believers from neighbors and the authorities leading to social ostracism. Yet, Peter had some encouraging words for these dishearten Christians. They were cleansed from their sins having been born again to a new life that will never end.
So you see all good things do not come to an end. Christians can rejoice that their salvation is secure and everlasting. Our new life is eternal. It will last forever, meaning there is no end. And we also have that guarantee from the very living Word of God itself which ‘remains forever.’ (v.25) If you truly desire something that will last forever guaranteed, there are only two things, the Word of God through which you will meet Jesus, your savior providing you with life never ending.
I have heard it said from a well-known modern-day theologian that everyone is a theologian. All of us have a theology that we hold to. You may say I have no theological point of view, not even a thought of one. But you do and have thought about it. Simply put, theology is the study of God. You may not study God, but you have thoughts about Him, and even if you say there is no God, you have thought about Him who you believe is not there, theologically speaking.
Even among Christians there are differing theological views concerning God and His Word. Putting a stronger emphasis on certain doctrines will distinguish a theological view not held by all Christians. This doesn’t insinuate error but a disagreement on the subject matter. There are many such passages presented in Scripture which can be worked out between believers or agreeing to disagree as the saying goes.
One example would be the text verses above, two statements by Jesus concerning those who have a hunger for God and righteousness. Jesus said, “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.” (Lk.6:20 esv) Jesus is speaking of those who are poor in spirit seeking righteousness. In the book of John Jesus says, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger.” (Jn.6:35 esv) Jesus is not referring to physical hunger, but again a spiritual hunger.
In the above example some people will put a stronger emphasis on ‘poor’ and ‘hunger’ in their theological view in caring for the poor and hungry. No doubt helping the less fortunate is what all Christians ought to be doing. Helping the poor in spirit by feeding them the gospel message not only helps them in this life but saves their soul from eternal torment in eternity. The line between the two must be removed to see the truth of Scripture clearly and know our priorities as Christians, theologically speaking.
“Wisdom is the power to see, and the inclination to choose, the best and highest goal, together with the surest means of attaining it. Wisdom is, in fact, the practical side of moral goodness. As such, it is found in its fulness only in God. He alone is naturally and entirely and invariable wise.” (J. I. Packer, Knowing God)
Wisdom, humanly speaking, is the quality of having or showing good judgement. For one to be wise involves knowledge and a learning experience. Wisdom does not always show itself through extensive book learning, browsing the internet, or asking AI although the right resources are a significant help. But wisdom is more a learning experience, taking notice to the positive and negative events in our lives and acting accordingly by not repeating the failures and pursuing the methods of the good outcomes. But as J. I. Packer noted above, ‘(God) alone is naturally and entirely and invariable wise.’ As none of us possess entire wisdom, or moral goodness, James, the brother of our Lord advises, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” (Ja.1:5 esv) The Lord Himself says, “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Is 55:9 esv) This gives us assurance that what we ask for is coming directly from the source of wisdom, God Himself. We should not be afraid to ask God for wisdom; He encourages us to ask because we are made for wisdom.
Yes, the God of wisdom who made us in His image also made us for wisdom. Wisdom comes only from God and His wisdom it is seen through His attribute of wisdom. First is God’s wisdom in creation. Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork.” (nkjv) Take note how the earth hangs in space and rotates at a perfect angle with the sun at the exact distance needed to prevent it from burning up or becoming a frozen piece of rock, and we all can concur with the changing of the seasons to the glory of God and His wisdom in maintaining His creation.
Secondly, God’s wisdom is on display in His providence through our lives. God always has in mind the highest end. The time in history when we were born, where we were born, where we have lived and worked, the friends and family we have, the good times and bad are all part of God’s wisdom in directing our lives. Again, He has our highest end and joy in mind even though as Joseph suffered from the hands of his brothers was able to say, ‘but God meant it for good.’
Thirdly, and by far, the greatest display of the wisdom of God is His perfect plan of salvation. Jesus, God the Son, came to earth as God-Man living a perfect life and offered that life on the cross to pay the penalty of our sins. He was buried and rose again after three days to ensure eternal life for those who believe in Him. This is a plan that could have never been drawn up from all the wisdom in the world except by the wisdom of God. So, ask God for wisdom. He created us for it.
“If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. But God did listen! He paid attention to my prayer. Praise God, who did not ignore my prayer or withdraw his unfailing love from me.” Psalm 66:18-20 NLT
The biggest struggle most Christians have in their daily walk with God is a consistent and fruitful prayer life. Living in a fast pace society where everything is instantaneous, short, and to the point, will put anything of value in jeopardy. A Christian’s prayer life is no different. We may do our best to carve out time in our day to pray, but there is always a chance something will hinder us from being consistent, it’s called life. We cannot get around unexpected interruptions, but we can make sure we are not hindering our time with God right from the start with inconsistencies in our own life.
The number one reason for an inconsistent and unfruitful prayer life is unconfessed sin. The Psalmist writes, “If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. But God did listen!” (Ps.66:18 nlt) Prayer is not simply asking God for things but is a conversation with a holy God. It is a relationship that is intended to grow with time spent together. Unconfessed sin is a barrier preventing growth in your Christian life and it starts in your prayer requests to God.
If you are struggling in your prayer life with no satisfaction, no results, no meaningful relationship with God, and your prayers seem like just words being spoken in open air, maybe it’s time for a self-examination, me included. “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.” (1Jn.1:9 nlt) The Psalmists continued to write with good news that God does listen when we confess our sins to Him. God pays attention to our prayers, He does not ignore them, and He will never withdraw His love from us. Praise God!
A simple acrostic to follow when we pray may be helpful:
Word for the Soul 