Daily Devotion of Psalm 23

Daily Nugget:

Although prophetic at the time it was written, this Psalm is about our living Saviour. Psalm 23 teaches who Jesus is to all. It is one of the most used and memorized chapters in the Bible as it encourages and comforts those amid troubles and facing a fearful future.

This chapter teaches:

• As David said Jesus would be, He is our personal shepherd (vs. 1). He is the trustworthy One that can safely lead one through life if He is allowed. 
• Jesus knows we are like sheep: stubborn, and prone to go wayward. Sheep, I have read, only lay down when they are fed and taken care of. In verse two, we read that those that faithfully obey and follow Him will be lead to places where their needs are met. What a good shepherd He is.
• When the cares of this world lay heavy burdens on us, and we are exhausted from the load, Jesus will encourage us to continue. He will always lead us in the right direction if we will faithfully follow and heed His leadership (vs. 3).
• Each of us are getting closer to our last moments on this Earth every day. Our death should be nothing to fear for a believer, as it is only a shadow. Most are not afraid of a shadow; it always follows us, as does the demise of each one of us, but with Jesus’ guidance even death should not make us afraid. Our Shepherd can also be our comforter.
• Our Saviour can always be trusted to protect His own from ensuing enemies and dangers (vs. 4). A shepherd's rod is a short throwing stick a shepherd uses to protect His charges from attacks of ravening wolves and other enemies. His “staff” is a longer stick used to hook sheep and pull them from dangers in the field. With His help Jesus can be relied on to protect His own from perilous situations.
• Although one may face hurt and humiliations during one’s lifetime, one day those faithfully following the good Shepherd will be elevated among oppressors (vs. 5). 

A God obeying believer and follower is on the winning side and with His leadership will receive far more than he deserves. Even more undeserved, His “sheep” will one day live with Him in eternity. He is so good to His those that follows and obey Him.

Today’s Thought: 
“To put it succinctly, in Psalm 22 we see the cross, in Psalm 23 the crook (the Shepherd’s crook), and in Psalm 24 the crown (the King’s crown). In Psalm 22 Christ is the Saviour, in Psalm 23 He is the Satisfier, in Psalm 24 He is the Sovereign. In Psalm 22 He is the foundation, in Psalm 23 He is the manifestation, in Psalm 24 He is the expectation. In Psalm 22 He dies, in Psalm 23 He is living, in Psalm 24 He is coming. Psalm 22 speaks of the past, Psalm 23 speaks of the present, and Psalm 24 speaks of the future. In Psalm 22 He gives His life for the sheep, in Psalm 23 He gives His love for the sheep, in Psalm He gives us light when He shall appear. What a wonderful picture we have of Christ in these three Psalms.” — Thru the Bible by J. Vernon McGee, Vol 2, Page 711

Today’s Reading:
Psalm 23
1 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth 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 thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth 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 for ever.