May 24 – The Good Shepherd Leads Me

Hope for Today: A Daily Devotion from Reasons for Hope*Jesus

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“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.” Psalm 23:1-3

He who is wise in his own conceit, as philosophers usually are, does not pray like David, to be sought after and healed by Jesus Christ. And therefore such continue, amidst all boasted wisdom, deeply ignorant of their fallen nature and ruined state.

But as You have given me, O Good Shepherd, to understand my lost and helpless condition and that like a wandering sheep, I can neither find myself when lost nor advise myself how to return. I beseech You to seek, heal, lead, feed, carry, and strengthen me also, as my various necessities require — so that I may be able to say with David, “The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.”

My soul, look to Jesus this day in this sweet character. View Him as your kind, careful, and watchful Shepherd. Lie at His feet or walk by His side. He will lead you into rich and pleasant pastures, even His own holy Word. He will conduct you to the dear still waters, even His Holy Spirit. There is no lack in following Jesus. Lack comes from wandering from Him.

My Shepherd will supply my need,
Jehovah is His name;
In pastures fresh He makes me feed
Beside the living stream.

He brings my wandering spirit back,
When I forsake His ways;
And leads me, for His mercy’s sake,
In paths of truth and grace.

Devotion by Karl Heinrich von Bogatzky (1690—1774)