My Shepherd

 ¹ The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.² He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. ³ He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. ⁴ Yea, 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. ⁵ You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over.⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. - Psalm 23

     Perhaps the most well-known passage in the entire Bible. This psalm is always a blessing and an encouragement. These six verses address our entire Christian walk. When I became a Christian I became a sheep in the flock of the Good Shepherd. Upon joining this flock I received the promise that I would always be cared for and provided for by my Shepherd. I receive the constant blessings of green pasture and still waters. When I go astray He restores me through His marvelous forgiveness. Without the leadership and guidance of my Shepherd I could not walk the path of righteousness. It is through His empowerment that I can live righteously. He empowers me to do so that I may bring glory to His name. When troubles arise I can have peace through Him. Even when something as terrible as death is looming before me, when I am in the darkness and shadows, I have no reason to fear. My Shepherd is with me. When the enemy attacks, my Shepherd will protect. When my enemies surround me I can calmly partake of the blessings set before me as my Shepherd declares me a king and a victor. No matter how rough the path or how hard the task I may rest assured in my Shepherd's goodness and mercy. When my race is run and my course is finished, my real life has only just begun. I will spend eternity with the one who called me to His flock and faithfully guided my path for so many years. Powerful, soothing, incomprehensible truths that the Lord of all creation would tend to a dirty, ungrateful, wandering sheep like me.