The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. (Psalm 23:1-3 NLT) The Lord is my shepherd. What does that statement really mean? It was not uncommon for the youngest boy in the family to be the shepherd in Old Testament times. He leaves home with the sole mission of tending the sheep. He carries little with him - a scrip and a staff, the clothes on his back, and his rod. His existence is quite remote - no one accompanies him, he shepherds alone. Jesus came alone. He didn't bring a legion of angels to protect him and the flock. He merely presented himself - he alone would tend the sheep. As we think of our lives in terms of the sheep, we need someone to 'tend' to our lives. This psalm is truly a 'declaration' of God's care over his people. The sheep actually 'trusted' the shepherd - knowing he would ...
“Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Don’t tear your clothing in your grief but tear your hearts instead.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish. (Joel 2:12-13 NLT) Turn to me now. This is the time. This is the place. There you will find rest. There you will find peace. There you will find hope. When all else around is in disarray and calamity awaits at every turn, there is no other place to turn than to God himself. Give me your hearts. So many times, we try to give God everything else other than our hearts. We want him to take our sins, but do we want to seek his righteousness as equally as we desire to be free of their shame? We want to have our lives in order, but do we invite disorder by the things we listen to, watch, or pursue with the heart God so desperately wants to inhabit? The one who wants G...