My Shepherd, My Lord

Today’s devotion is for the person who doesn’t know what happens next. I have been reading the Psalms for the past few weeks during my devotional time, and I can’t stop thinking about Psalm 23. You know the one: “The Lord is my shepherd.”

Sit with what that means for a moment. For the Lord to be our shepherd, to actually be guiding each of our steps—waiting for us when we wander, picking us up when we stumble, leading us to refreshing waters that will nourish our souls.

Sheep are totally dependent on the protection of the shepherd. One of my favorite things that I learned about sheep is that the shepherds in the ancient East would sing or call to their flocks of sheep while those shepherds walked close beside and behind them.And so, because they would sing to them as they walked, the sheep would learn the voice of the shepherd who was guiding them on their path. The sheep would know their shepherd’s voice so well that even if they stopped for water near another shepherd’s flock, all their shepherd would have to do is sing his song, and his sheep would follow.

How much more should you and I know the voice of our Father in heaven?

To the person right now who doesn’t know what happens next … I’m going to be honest with you. I’m going through some things in my life as well, and I don’t know what happens next. I’ve had several months where I just don’t know. What is supposed to happen the next day? I am praying over and over for deliverance, and I’m seeing nothing.

So, what if it’s okay that we don’t know what comes next? What if it’s okay that we can’t see far down the road in our lives?Almost everyone I know right now is in some type of life transition—raising families, navigating job changes, caring for ailing parents. We are tired. We are overwhelmed. And we are just waiting … waiting to know where we’re going and what’s supposed to happen next.But what if it’s okay that we don’t know?

If we can learn in this season what it means to stick close to God—to know his voice and be guided by his hand—then I think we may discover that our good shepherd is all we need for what’s next.

Spend some time meditating on Psalm 23 this week:

“The Lord is my shepherd; I have what I need. He lets me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside quiet waters. He renews my life; he leads me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff—they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I live” (CSB).

Host Bio

Heather Thompson Day is an associate professor of communication at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. She is the author of eight books, including I’ll See You Tomorrow and It’s Not Your Turn. Reach out to Heather on X, the app formerly known as Twitter, at @HeatherTDay and on Instagram @heatherthompsonday. Get Heather’s weekly inspirational email delivered to your inbox every Friday night at 7 p.m. EST. Sign up now at: www.heatherthompsonday.com/links.

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