16 May | EVERYONE
"The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake." Psalm 23:1-3, NIV
We live in a world dominated by pain and grief. The journey is long and hard. Thorns and thistles are often our daily bread. The sweat we shed is not proportional to what we receive, and we anxiously ask ourselves, "How long, Lord?" Then, the wind of time brings from the past David's response that our Heavenly Shepherd seeks to give us rest and comfort our souls.
To reach those green pastures and still waters, there is a "a right path," a lonely path that runs through the valley of the shadow of death. It is a path that glides down like a serpent, a path wet with tears, and is the color of leafless withered roses, reminding us of what might have been if sin had not ruined everything.
In spite of how dark the road may be, there is no reason to fear because Jesus, the Good Shepherd, accompanies the exhausted passage of His sheep, cares for the old and burdened, cares for those who are wounded by the eagerness of the journey, and shows tenderness to the young lambs.
The time is coming, the day is coming, the great event of history is approaching in which God will spread the table before us in the presence of our enemies and anoint our heads with oil. The cup of our hearts will overflow with joy and happiness. And verily, goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives, and in the house of the Lord we will live for eternity.
Take Action
When you meditate on Psalm 23, do not doubt that it is already a reality today: The verses alluding to trials and dangers prove it. So when you go through any circumstance, rejoice that the Shepherd is already with you and that He watches over your footsteps! Sing "The Lord Is My Shepherd" (if possible, with your family).