Psalm 23

On April 8, 2025 By vickleaIn Scripture, Song, Video1 Comment

What does it mean for the Lord to be our shepherd? This video explains well and I hope it blesses your heart to know all the ways God is your shepherd.

https://youtu.be/LyusMDtlpLY

I particularly enjoyed the part about God’s being there in the valleys. We seem to have a lot of challenges in this life, but God is right there, leading us and keeping us safe. I also liked the part about God’s preparing a table for us before our enemies, teaching us to rely on His protection. The Psalm is from the beginning of the video until about the four minute mark and the other seven plus minutes are a prayer based on the psalm. It was very relaxing and uplifting for me to start my day with this today.

Then I followed this scripture and prayer with this song from Phil Wickham. I hope you have a blessed day, knowing that God is with you always and you will be with Him for eternity.

Phil Wickham-Psalm 23

Declaration of Trust and Dependence on God

On June 28, 2024 By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App1 Comment

I am so thankful that the Lord is indeed my shepherd, and He does provide for all of my needs. When I am discouraged, He provides hope. When I am tired deep in my soul, He provides rest. When I am thirsty, He provides for me to be filled with living water from His Word. And when I am feeling lost on a pathway that seems to lead to nowhere, God shows us and shows me the right way to go. In knowing the Lord as my shepherd, I can be content, resting in the knowledge that He is in control and is truly taking care of me, even when life gets scary or challenging.

A Shepherd and His Flock

The 23rd Psalm is a powerful declaration of trust and dependence on God. Today, we’ll look at how the first few words reveal a core belief that to accept God as our shepherd, we acknowledge that He is the One who provides for our every need. He is the ultimate source of comfort, guidance, and protection.

Just as a shepherd cares for his flock, tending to their every need and leading them to safe pastures, God also cares for us, His children.

The psalmist goes on to describe how God cares for His sheep. He makes us “lie down in green pastures,” a metaphor for providing rest and security. He leads us “beside quiet waters,” quenching our thirst and offering us peace. He “refreshes our soul,” restoring our inner strength and well-being.

One of the most comforting promises in Psalm 23 is that God “guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.” Even when you are unsure of the way, you can trust that God will lead you in the right way (John 14:6). He will not allow you to wander into harm’s way, for His name’s sake.

How can knowing the Lord as your shepherd provide you with contentment when facing challenges? Repeat these words until they sink deep into your soul: The Lord is my shepherd, He will never leave me or forsake me. He will always provide for my needs and guide me on the right path.

What Do You Really Need?

On March 25, 2022 By vickleaIn Scripture2 Comments

Sometimes, rather often actually, I get my needs mixed up with my wants. When I do that, I find myself unsatisfied with myself and pouting at God for not supplying all of my wants. Then, He gently chides me and reminds me that needs and wants are completely different. For example, I would really like to have a home in a suburb, closer to hospitals and as I call it, civilization. But do I need that? No. We live in a rural area and we are fine here, at a distance that is inconvenient but not impossible.

*Note the use of the word **NEED** here.*

Too often, more frequently than I like to admit, my mind spirals off into the world of “what ifs” and I begin to fret. For a person who claims to have unshakeable faith in God, I get really upset with myself when that happens. I have to hold on to the Scripture above and remind myself that God gives me a train ticket for each hour of each day, not one for the next day. He provides what I need when I need it, and worrying about things will not change the course of events. But prayer does!